Prologue Part 1 of this series looked at how Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have won 44 of the 96 majors held since 1990. If Rafa, Roger and Pete don’t add any majors in 2014, they will have won 44% of the Grand Slam events held since 1990. That is a remarkable accomplishment…
Category: French Open
Counterpunch – This is Not the Golden Era
As a fan, I have never enjoyed a period of tennis as much as I have from 2004-present. 2003 was a generational shifting year in which the New Balls players won 3 of the 4 majors. In 2004, Roger Federer gave a dominating and aesthetically pleasing game to this new era. 2005 saw Marat Safin…
2 out of 3 in Men’s Slam Play?
I have seen a number of columns pop up discussing the possibility of switching Grand Slam play to 2 out of 3 sets for men. Here are two of them: Billie Jean King’s take and Drew Franklin’s take First, I Disagree Having tournament of 2 out of 3 sets matches with a day off between matches…
3 Phases of the GOAT Discussion
GOATs on our Mind Tennis GOAT discussions and debates have been good for fans and the press because we’ve always got something to contemplate. Here is my breakdown of events that amped up GOAT debates: Career slams and Pete chasing Emerson get the credit or blame Andre Agassi completing the career Grand Slam in 1999…
French Open Championship Preview & Prediction: Nadal vs. Ferrer
Ferrer has Beaten Rafa in Big Matches Ferrer has beaten Rafa in New York and Melbourne, is Paris next? David Ferrer did defeat Rafael Nadal at the 2007 US Open and World Tour Finals. He also stopped the Rafa Slam in an injury marred 2011 Australian Open quarterfinal. Ferrer pushed Nadal twice on clay during…
Who Will Win Nadal or Ferrer? (Tennis Poll)
Can Ferrer do what Gaston Gaudio did and shock both his compatriot and the world? Will Nadal win an 8th (!) title at Roland Garros? You decide before they decide it on the court.
Championship Preview and Prediction: #2 Sharapova vs. #1 Williams
Sharapova’s Revival A more joyous reaction is hard to find Maria Sharapova entered the Grand Slam winners’ circle again last year when she won the title at Roland Garros. She recovered from shoulder and serve problems to build toward that victory. Sharapova reached the 2011 French Open semifinal and 2012 Australian Open final. She absorbed…
The Ten Most Tense Grand Slam Matches in the Past 10 Years
Top 10 Tension Filled Grand Slam Matches over the Past 10 Years Djokovic d. Nadal Australian Open 2012 Final Nadal d. Federer Wimbledon 2008 Final Djokovic d. Federer US Open 2010 Semifinal Federer d. Roddick Wimbledon 2009 Final JMDP d. Federer US Open 2009 Final Federer d. Nadal Wimbledon 2007 Final Nadal d. Verdasco Australian…
Who Will Win Sharapova or Williams? (POLL)
The World Number One versus the Defending Champion: Who Do You Pick?
David Ferrer vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: Preview and Prediction
An Opening in the Top Tier Roger Federer has not been himself throughout 2013. Andy Murray is hurt. Rafael Nadal missed 7 months of tennis. Even Tomas Berdych was upended in the first round at Roland Garros. The winner of the other semifinal will play for a Grand Slam title. David Ferrer or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 