Rafael Nadal Fans For the past several days Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Croatia are suffering from severe floods. Although the water level started sinking slowly, the disaster left behind numerous destructed homes and households. Rafael Nadal has added his voice to the messages of support for victims of the Balkan flooding. Here’s what he posted on…
Month: May 2014
Tennis Power Ranking 2014: Post Madrid & Rome – Nole Rising
After the injury marred Madrid final, I had no idea how to rank my Top 10 so I did the cowardly sensible thing and waited another week. So here is a Double Masters 1000 Power Ranking Extravaganza. 2014 Power Ranking #6 – Madrid and Rome (Roam If You Want To) Novak Djokovic – Nole answered questions about…
Roman Gladiators: Nadal vs. Djokovic XLI Prediction
Anytime #1 and #2 meet to decide a big tournament things are special. This one has the potential to be even bigger than special. Novak Djokovic is #2 in the world and has beaten #1 Nadal 3 consecutive times winning 6 consecutive sets. A win on clay over Nadal would propel Djokovic into Paris with…
Rome 2014: Dimitrov vs. Nadal Prediction
Grigor Dimitrov vs. Rafael Nadal Rafa has had some strange results on clay this year. Still, title in Madrid and Rio make Rafa the most successful player on dirt to this point in 2014. Rafa’s dominance is such that losing sets to Simon, Youzhny and Murray appear to many as signs of weakness. I think…
Rome 2014: Raonic vs. Djokovic Prediction
Milos Raonic vs. Novak Djokovic There does appear to be a 25 and under movement on tour in 2014. Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori and Grigor Dimitrov have each had nice moments in the past 52 weeks and especially since January 1. I don’t see the youth movement continues in this match. Milos Raonic has made…
Goodbye And Hello: Sadness Followed By Opportunity
Originally posted on All I need is a picket fence …:
Theologically, as a Christian, I firmly believe we are all special. As a tennis commentator, though, I assure you that I’m not very special at all. This is where today’s story begins. It is a story that contains several important personal and professional disclosures as…
Masters Rome Predictions May 14, 2014
Predicted Winners in BOLD Marcel Granollers (ESP) v [7] Andy Murray (GBR) – Based on other results, this upset I am predicting is not that major. Jeremy Chardy (FRA) v [4] Roger Federer (SUI) – Is Federer in a post-baby fog? If so, he’ll likely lose. Still, I think in Monte Carlo he played well enough to get a modest benefit of the doubt. [1] Rafael…
GOAT Confusion – Say What?
Roger Federer says there is no GOAT because players from different eras had different priorities etc. Pete Sampras says Federer is the GOAT for now, but that his head-to-head vs. Rafa is an issue. Andre Agassi says Rafa is the GOAT even if he once said Federer was the GOAT. John McEnroe says that Rafa…
Nishikori will wait till the French Open
Originally posted on Talking Tennis Points:
After being forced to retire in the final of the Madrid Masters, Kei Nishikori has opted to withdraw from this week’s final ATP 1000 event to prepare for the French Open. Nishikori became the first Japanese player to break into the top ten following this tournament but will play…
Nishikori vs. Nadal Prediction
Nishikori is in the Top 10 Melbourne, Miami, Barcelona and Madrid prove Kei Nishikori belongs in the top 10. His talent and recent consistency have Nishikori taking advantage of a year of upheaval in the tennis pecking order. Michael Chang’s influence as coach has to be lauded as well. Nishikori could become King of Spain…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 