Women’s Player of the Year: Angelique Kerber Kerber’s award is built upon two tent poles, namely her Australian and US Open titles. Yet, her Wimbledon runner-up finish and silver medal in Rio demonstrated Kerber’s capacity to sting together multiple quality results. That is a key for being number one. Her Cincinnati and Tour Championship runner-up…
Month: December 2016
Final Power Ranking for 2016: Murray Surges to End the Year
Final Power Ranking for 2016 Andy Murray – Tune-in tomorrow to see who my player of the year for men is, but my Power Ranking’s unscientific approach is to weight to recent results the most. Murray won every tournament match he played after the US Open including a win over Novak Djokovic to close the World…
The Impact of 2016 on Hall of Fame Candidacies
Already In Entering 2016 Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova entered 2016 with the status that only something devastating could prevent their eventual enshrinement. Novak’s Nole Slam & Masters 1000 hauls, Serena’s 22nd major, Rafa’s gold medal in doubles, and Venus’ silver medal in mixed doubles all added…
Petra Kvitova Meets with the Media after being Attacked and having Surgery
Great to see that smile 😃@Petra_Kvitova speaks to media for the first time since attack–> https://t.co/fIEpuAwvyZ pic.twitter.com/VmKPASMy0n — WTA (@WTA) December 23, 2016 Petra #Kvitova: "I don't care about how much time it takes, if 3 months, 6 months or a year. But that's for sure I want to return one day" pic.twitter.com/xq8Hld1aaI —…
The 10 Best Tennis Stories of 2016
Novak Djokovic Reigns at all 4 Majors – Don’t expect to see this happen again. It might happen again, but no male player had held all 4 major trophies simultaneously since 1969. Steffi Graf held all 4 majors at the end of 1988 and after the 1989 Australian Open. Serena Williams twice held all 4 majors…
Olympic Tennis Review: 1988 Graf was Golden
Originally posted on Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life:
Preview Olympic Tennis has had a lot of ups and downs. During some Olympic years, the tennis events have seemed at best like a 500 point tour level tournament while other years have produced high drama for the sport. With Davis Cup, Federation Cup,…
Petra Kvitova Attacked
I have no special words and do not know any details beyond what has been reported regarding Petra Kvitova being attacked during a home robbery and sustaining injuries. Petra Kvitova underwent hand surgery after this attack. I hope the tennis world rallies around her. Focus on the sport of tennis can wax and wane due…
5 Closest Calls for Australian Men at the Australian Open since 1976
Not Everything has been Rosy in the Land of Oz, but a Few Men have Come Close Mats Wilander d. Pat Cash 1988 Final Round: 6-3, 6-7, 3-6, 6-1, 8-6 Near miss Stefan Edberg d. Pat Cash 1987 Final Round: 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3 Cash had momentum, but Edberg pulled away in the 5th…
Jim Courier The Entrepreneur Former Australian Open Champions Part 2
Originally posted on Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life:
Jim Courier: the Entrepreneur The 1992 and 1993 Australian Open Men’s Champion Jim Courier has been a strong presence in tennis since retiring without overshadowing active players. Although Courier made his Grand Slam breakthrough in Paris on red clay, I think the Australian Open…
Sampras Turns 41 and Federer Turns 31
Originally posted on Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life:
Familiar Faces Sampras ushered in a new age in 1990 By some luck for tennis junkies, Pete Sampras was born on August 12, 1971 and Roger Federer was born on August 8, 1981. The two men are almost exactly 10 years apart in age. …
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 