“It was a dream,” said Ryan Sweeting. Ryan Sweeting, a tall Floridian who plays tennis for a living – and says he does make a living, $ 164,423 last year – walked onto the blue asphalt court of Rod Laver Arena and looked up and around. People. Everywhere people – 15,000 them. Staring at him. Of course they were also looking at the other guy, who happened to be named … [Read more...] about ONE MAN’S DREAM IS ANOTHER MAN’S VICTORY AS NADAL CRUISES ONWARD
Tournaments
IT’S HOME FOR THE AUSSIES BUT NOT SO SWEET FOR HEWITT
MELBOURNE — Where have all the Aussies gone? Or the Etruscans and Aztecs for that matter? Lost civilizations that I miss, but maybe the Australian tribe will yet revive and make us remember their might that caused fright, and bite that gave them ownership of the tennis world in the 50s, 60s and a slice of the 70s. Ancient history, I know, a time of wooden weaponry. But … [Read more...] about IT’S HOME FOR THE AUSSIES BUT NOT SO SWEET FOR HEWITT
READY OR NOT, HERE WE GO AGAIN — CAN ANYBODY BLOCK THE 1-2 PUNCHES OF MONOPOLISTS NADAL AND FEDERER?
Can’t even fully digest 2010 as 2011 springs into view, the 44th year of open tennis – or the 134th year since Wimbledon cranked up the original tournament. Everybody ready? Probably not. Not enough recuperation time during another ridiculously brief off-season as the years bump together like pigs in a pen. Life on the road resumes, and few are lucky enough to … [Read more...] about READY OR NOT, HERE WE GO AGAIN — CAN ANYBODY BLOCK THE 1-2 PUNCHES OF MONOPOLISTS NADAL AND FEDERER?
SIZZLING RALLIES AS NADAL WINS THE US OPEN
NEW YORK – The reign’s in Spain now, falling mightily and mainly on the crowned head of Roundhouse Rafa. Spain, of course, has a king, Juan Carlos I, with a palace in Madrid. A good fellow, we’re told. But the real monarch today is young Rafa I, whose roundhouse knockout punches on a tennis court are massive left hooks that leave no doubt of his being No. 1 in his … [Read more...] about SIZZLING RALLIES AS NADAL WINS THE US OPEN
BOB BRYAN AND PARTNERS KEEP WINNING MAJORS
NEW YORK – Oldest game in the world? That’s easy – mixed doubles on a tennis court. I believe the Dead Sea Scrolls revealed that Adam and Eve won the first Eden Open over a Hittite couple, using apples as balls. Apparently Eve ate some apples, causing Adam to scold her: “How can we play if you dine on the balls?” Then she stepped on a snake, a thoughtless foot fault … [Read more...] about BOB BRYAN AND PARTNERS KEEP WINNING MAJORS