The First Set: Windy Start Serena and Vika both struggled early with the windy conditions, but through the first 10 games of the match Vika seemed more comfortable. The trouble for her was that she was tied at 5-5. With Serena serving at 4-5, Vika forced two deuces, but could not generate a break point/set…
Category: Tennis History
Serena as the GOAT? Depends
Serena Williams has won so many big prizes and played tennis at such an exceptionally high level that GOAT questions arise whenever she is close to adding another major title. I recently, tried to clarify some of the issues surrounding the men’s GOAT debate by offering three lenses for viewing the problem. I think these categories…
US Open 2013 Weekend Quick Hits
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have met at every slam except for the US Open. That seems apt to change as both men are in good to frightening form. Sloane Stephens has a lot going for her in terms of mobility, power etc. I like her chances to make big strides over then next 18…
Goodbye to James Blake
The first time attending i was fortunate enough to attend a tennis tournament with press credentials was in 2008 at the Indianapolis Hard Court Championships. I covered the semifinal and final rounds. My first match was Gilles Simon d. Sam Querrey 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. This was a great match to start my press career with…
Jimmy Connors’ Coaching Prospects
On Better Terms than I Would Guess they are Today The tandem of Maria Sharapova and Jimmy Connors did seem a bit unlikely from the outset. I am not sure what led to their hasty dissolution, but I am also not convinced that Connors cannot coach effectively on either the ATP or WTA tours. Also,…
The Top 5 Tiers of Tennis Champions
In any career comparisons or GOAT discussions it becomes clear that there are constellations of players with similar levels of achievement. Running through various players in my head, I have arrived at 5 levels of achievement. For the sake of simplicity I am going to move from Jimmy Connors forward as he strikes me as…
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…
The Djokurray Era in Full Swing
Prior to writing my preview and prediction of the championship match, I think it is important to note that Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are the two people leading the tour on a week-in and week-out basis. Rafael Nadal still rules clay. There is no disputing that. Roger Federer has lost a lot of consistency,…
Top 10 Gentlemen’s Championship Matches #4 – #1
As I said, I am only ranking finals that I had a chance to watch. I did not see the 1980 final. I am sure it would rank highly if I had seen it. 4. 2007 Roger Federer d. Rafael Nadal 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 In 2006, Rafa and Roger traded 4 set wins…
Top 10 Gentlemen’s Championship Matches #7 – #5
7. 1998 Pete Sampras d. Goran Ivanisevic 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 If only breaking Sampras were always that easy Pete won due to shots like these Goran also lost the 1994 Wimbledon Final to Sampras, but this was a much better match. Both men served exceptionally well. Pete survived a scare in the second…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 