One thing I have learned in the age of Twitter is that tennis fandoms run deep and acrimony toward non-favored players can be unexpectedly strong. I’m sure there are some Andre Agassi fans out there who are not thrilled about Pete Sampras generally being considered to be the top player of their generation. Sampras’ 14…
Category: Tennis History
Federer Wins His 103rd Title
BASEL 😭 🏆 pic.twitter.com/n8kYXYTtBr — Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) October 28, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Roger Federer picked up his 4th title of 2019 by taking Basel with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Alex de Minaur. He is now 6-titles away from tying Jimmy Connors’ all-time men’s record of 109 singles titles. Federer can likely catch Connors if…
Serena Williams reaches 2019 US Open Final and Won the 1999 US Open
My point is that the sports landscape was radically different two decades ago. Yet, Serena Williams is still here.
Wimbledon 2019: All Hail Queen Simona the 1st and King Novak the 5th
#Wimbledon champions. pic.twitter.com/LErVDutNdm — José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 15, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js It has been quite a Wimbledon. It was hard on the nerves of this viewer at least. I won’t do 50 Parting Shots like Jon Wertheim because 50 is a lot and I don’t need SI’s lawyers giving me a hard time. Coco…
Wimbledon 2019 and Why I Started Writing about Tennis
I remember watching this and wondering, “How is this guy with the physique of a pencil beating a clay court monster like Muster?” even though I loved his shot-making. I have always liked tennis and on different occasions discussed the impact my father as well as Boris Becker’s 1985 Wimbledon triumph had on my interest…
Wimbledon 2019: Federer and Nadal’s Wimbledon Tiebreaks
Earlier in the event, I noticed that Nick Kyrgios had won all 5 tiebreaks played against Rafael Nadal. Rafa reversed this trend winning vs. Kyrgios 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3). Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal contested their 4th Wimbledon clash today. While only one set today went to a tiebreak, Roger Federer added to…
Ragnarok for Tennis History this Weekend?
My son is interested in the Avengers in general and Thor in particular. The rewriting of tennis history that could happen this weekend is massive. Serena Williams can tie Margaret Court for the most singles majors ever (24) while also collecting an 8th Wimbledon crown. While Serena’s 23 majors all come in the Open Era,…
Tennis Memories: Queen’s Club 1990
Wimbledon 1989 The Wimbledon 1989 semifinals featured Boris Becker fending off Ivan Lendl over two-days and five sets 6-4, 6-7 (2), 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. Stefan Edberg returned to the final by ousting a resurgent John McEnroe 7-5, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5). Becker then avenged his 1988 Wimbledon loss to Edberg by taking the title 6-0,…
Factors Contributing to the Rise of the Big 3
In 2007, Novak Djokovic entered the top 3 in the world. The current top 3 are Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. This is not normal (or was not normal). So how did we get here? I’ll take my best shot at answering. Transcendent Talents – While Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic have a…
Comparing Rafael Nadal’s 12 French Open Titles Across Sports
John Wooden coached UCLA to 10 NCAA basketball titles in 12 seasons. This is indeed impressive. Advantage Rafa – Rafa played while Wooden coached. Perhaps, Wooden should be compared to uncle Toni Nadal. Similar points can be made in terms of compairing Rafa to Phil Jackson and Red Auerbach. Playing and coaching are different. Tom Brady…
