For a while – for an afternoon at least – it was like the old days when fearsome Aussies were sod gods at Wimbledon, striding the lawns as conquerors. People named Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson and Lew Hoad – and others – were hoarding the championships. The last one was combative little Lleyton Hewitt, who ruled 7 years ago, … [Read more...] about FOR SAMANTHA AND LLEYTON – A RARE AFTERNOON FOR “WALTZING MATILDA”
Tournaments
MARIA IS GONE ALONG WITH SOUND EFFECTS, BUT U.S. OPEN BECKONS
The “Siberian Siren” has left the premises earlier than expected, and will have to wait 12 months to see if she can duplicate her Wimbledon championship exploits of five years ago. Nevertheless, Maria Sharapova, at 22, has already done enough good works to carve out an alcove for herself at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport, Rhode Island. Add the Australian, … [Read more...] about MARIA IS GONE ALONG WITH SOUND EFFECTS, BUT U.S. OPEN BECKONS
“KID BUTTERFLY” RETURNS TO WIMBLEDON AFTER ALL THESE YEARS TO DELIGHT A CROWD AND SCARE No. 9 WOZNIACKI
It was as though she had stepped out of 1996. Or emerged from a dream. Yes, there was none other than Kimiko Date on Court 2, trading blows with a girl who wasn’t even born when Kimiko first graced Wimbledon in 1989. Honest, that was “Kid Butterfly,” the slight, quick Japanese whose shotmaking could be as sweet as a Puccini aria. She had been a Top Ten inhabitant in … [Read more...] about “KID BUTTERFLY” RETURNS TO WIMBLEDON AFTER ALL THESE YEARS TO DELIGHT A CROWD AND SCARE No. 9 WOZNIACKI
SILENCE MAY BE GOLDEN BUT DE BRITO MAKES IT SEEM ZINC TO REPORTERS LOOKING FOR A SENSATIONAL FIRST DAY STORY
Wimbledon opened and the Portuguese kid shut up. That made the story of the first day a non-story, really, leaving numerous journalists in the lurch. The press was ready to pounce on the kid, 16-year-old Michelle Larcher de Brito, following up on her loud and obnoxious behavior at the French Open. There, she screeched and tried to unnerve opponents with various unsporting … [Read more...] about SILENCE MAY BE GOLDEN BUT DE BRITO MAKES IT SEEM ZINC TO REPORTERS LOOKING FOR A SENSATIONAL FIRST DAY STORY
ANOTHER OPENING DAY AT THE BIG W, WHO’LL THROW OUT THE FIRST BALL?
WIMBLEDON – I keep hoping that someone someday – perhaps the Queen or Prince Charles – will throw out the first ball from the Royal Box, and declare: “Wimbledon, aged 132, is hereby open. May the best woman and man win. Play tennis!” Won’t happen, of course. Just the wandering of a misguided American mind. Queen Elizabeth II, a horse racing junkie, cares not for … [Read more...] about ANOTHER OPENING DAY AT THE BIG W, WHO’LL THROW OUT THE FIRST BALL?