Venus Williams occupies an odd spot in tennis history. There have been a few sibling acts in tennis and normally one sibling outshines the other to a degree that they are not identified together (think John and Patrick McEnroe or Todd and Dan Martin). In other instances, the siblings play doubles together and don’t particularly…
Category: Tennis History
Wimbledon 2016: Djokovic’s Historic Run Comes to an End
A few things jumped out at me as his 2016 Wimbledon run came to a shocking end in the round of 32. Djokovic has more Wimbledon titles than Stefan Edberg, Jimmy Connors, and Rafael Nadal. Jim Courier was the last man won the first two legs of the calendar slam. Courier’s run came in an…
Wimbledon 2016: The Origins of Tennis
As Wimbledon is about to get underway, it might do us all well to look at the precursors to Lawn Tennis. If Lawn Tennis started in the late 1800s, and the Tennis Court Oath from the French Revolution took place in 1789 and tennis is referenced in the writings of William Shakespeare and Jean-Jacques Rousseau,…
Debating Kel Round 3 – Is the One-Handed Backhand an Endangered Species?
First, I should say Kel’s site has gotten a new name – Tennisense. Both of our readers seem to be enjoying these exchanges before Wimbledon. Here come round 3 on the future of the one-handed backhand. As someone who uses a one-handed backhand, I hope the shot is more than an outlier on tour in…
Debating Kel Round 2 – Is Wimbledon the Greatest Slam?
I have to admit Wimbledon is the tournament that captured my imagination most as a fan Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Which is the Greatest Grand Slam in Tennis? Kel – Hi Dan. I think this is a very good debate to have right now as the Wimbledon fever slowly arrests the tennis world. For…
French Open 2016: Novak Conquers Roland Garros and Tennis
Novak Djokovic’s long march toward a Roland Garros singles title has involved many close calls. Consider that Novak was runner-up at Roland Garros in 2012, 2014, and 2015. His chase for this title was halted in the semifinal round in 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2013. Novak also posted quarterfinal showings at Roland Garros in 2006…
Quick Hits – Indian Wells Fallout Over Equal Pay
Prelude – Tennis Hooks People in Different Ways Some fans and journalists seem to focus on tennis from a statistical level with some emphasis on betting. Others focus on kits, dating, and general categories associated with the celebrity culture. If I had to categorize myself, I’d say I like the competition of professional tennis as…
My Encounter with Bud Collins in 1999
A lot can be said about Bud Collins and his contributions to tennis. The best way I can put it is that Bud Collins promoted tennis with enthusiasm and joy in an authentic manner. I was fortunate enough to meet Bud Collins at the Hall of Fame Classic in Newport, RI. I was living in…
A Couple of Technique and Training Videos through the Years
My friend Brian, a tennis coach in California and a good man, passed these along to me today. Techniques have Changed Federer Training
Novak Djokovic and My 4 GOAT Categories
“My career is better.” “I beg to differ and watch this overhead smash.” GOATs on Our Minds since 1999 Tennis fans have been involved in many all-time great discussions on the men’s side of the ledger since 1999. That year Andre Agassi completed a career Golden Slam by winning Roland Garros in June only to…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 