What is at Stake for the Wimbledon Sweet 16

Group 1 – Climbing the All Time Ladder Serbia’s Novak Djokovic is the only member of this group.  A second Wimbledon title would give Nole 7 major titles and a good foundation for finishing a third consecutive year ranked number 1 in the world.  7 majors would, to my mind, place Novak ahead of Boris…

Top 10 Gentlemen’s Championship Matches #10-#8

This Top 10 List is Based on Matches I have actually seen.  I was four years old and did not see McEnroe vs. Borg in 1980 therefore I can’t rate it.  This is also purely subjective as each of these matches have their merit. 10.  2000 Pete Sampras d. Patrick Rafter 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2…

Roger Federer and a Racquet Change

Honest Assessment Roger Federer has had a few stretches in his career in which decline looked to be steep and imminent.  2008 was the first of these patches.  Novak Djokovic rolled Roger in the Australian Open semifinal round.  Federer was beaten soundly by Mardy Fish in the semifinal round of Indian Wells.  Nadal thrashed Federer…

Wimbledon Memories: 1982 John McEnroe vs. Jimmy Connors

Travel, TV and Breakfast at Wimbledon As a child, my family typically traveled on or around the July 4th holiday.  Like most vacations, outings and visiting family members factored into our schedule.  However, few outings other than going to church with relatives occur on Sunday mornings.  I was 6 years old at the time and…

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…

French Open Memories: Guga

South American Renaissance Gustavo Kuerten was not expected to win the 1997 French Open, but he went through accomplished champions and clay court powers in the process.  Kuerten beat fifth seeded and 1995 French Open champion Thomas Muster in the round of 32.  He beat Andrei Medvedev in the round of 16.  He beat defending…

My Problem with the Federer Post Mortems

My Starting Point I will put my bias out there and state that Roger Federer has been all-time my favorite tennis player to watch since 2003.  I like his game, his balance, his shot making etc.  I also will bluntly say that Roger is not playing near his career best 2006 level, or his 2004-2007…

French Open Memories: Steffi Graf 1987-1989

My first distinct tennis memories are matches between Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe in the 1982 Wimbledon men’s championship and the 1984 US Open semifinal.  Both were five set thrillers, but I did not start following tennis regularly until Boris Becker won Wimbledon in 1985.  French Open matches did not make much of an impression…