My first sporting love was basketball and more specifically NCAA basketball during the 1980s. Tennis came on the scene as a love after Boris Becker won Wimbledon in 1985, but the 1983 NCAA elite 8 game between the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville cemented my obsession/love of college basketball. The University of…
Author: Dan Martin
I am a proud husband and father. I have my PhD from the University of Dayton and love theology, philosophy, ecology, and tennis among other things.
Grand Slam Achievements in Tennis since Graf’s Calendar Slam in 1988
I will try to just recall major moments involving all 4 majors in tennis since Steffi Graf completed the Calendar Slam in 1988. This win represented a Career Grand Slam for Steffi Graf as well. 1. Steffi Graf follows the Calendar Slam with a Gold Medal in Singles (Bronze in Doubles as well) at the…
US Open 2021: Women’s Singles Semifinal Predictions
I picked 4 of the top 5 seeds to reach the men’s singles semifinal. That was not terribly risky, but I think chalk will fill at least 3 of the men’s semifinal slots. On the women’s side, I am far from sure how things will unfold. I think Kerber and Pliskova’s play at Wimbledon mean…
Predicting the 2021 US Open Men’s Semifinalists
BONUS – First Round Matches of Note Andy Murray vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas – If this were later in the event, even the 2nd round, I would lean heavily toward Tsitsipas. I think Stefanos advances, but playing the 2012 champion and 2008 runner-up in the first round is a nightmare first round draw. Murray has also…
Wimbledon 2021: King Novak VI and Queen Ashleigh I Reign
First, I am sorry that my Wimbledon coverage in 2021 was so sparse. Between a laptop dying, a vacation, and some personal life business, I was not able to give Wimbledon as much attention as it deserved. Second, I went into Wimbledon thinking on the men’s side that three tiers existed: Tier 1 – Novak…
Wimbledon 2021: July 7th Men’s Quarterfinal Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Marton Fucsovics (SRB) – Djokovic has won the 2 most recent Wimbledon titles, is 18-0 in 2021 majors to this point, and is ranked #1 in the world. I am going to pick him to win this and any other match he plays in this event. [6] Roger…
French Open 2020: October 4th Women’s Singles Predictions
Predicted winners in BOLD Court Philippe CHATRIER [1] Simona HALEP (ROU) vs Iga SWIATEK (POL)) – Halep seems like a strong favorite to take this title. [3] Elina SVITOLINA (UKR) vs Caroline GARCIA (FRA) – Svitolina is less favored but still likely to advance. Court Suzanne LENGLEN [5] Kiki BERTENS (NED) vs [Q] Martina TREVISAN…
A Tour of Court/Real/Royal Tennis
My strange obsession with our beloved Lawn Tennis’ forerunner continues. Maybe I can ask my athletic director to build one of these courts on our campus. Here is a longer look at the sport.
Rousseau Solves the Back to School Counundrum
I would as soon, said a wise man, that my pupil had spent his time in the tennis court as in this manner; for there his body at least would havegot exercise.– Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The First Discourse The translation from my first semester of college read “court tennis” instead of just tennis. Court/Real/Royal Tennis existed…
A Review of Playing the Moldovans at Tennis by Tony Hawks
I am going to be doing some book reviews and wanted to start with something light. I recommend this book so long as a prospective reader likes at least one or two of the following: laughter, tennis, geopolotics, travel journals, cultural insights, and outrageous wagers. The sound quality is a little dodgy, but next time,…
