Australian Open 2020: Djokovic Eyes a 17th Major

The Australian Open has made one big and one small surface change since 1987.  In 1988, the Australian Open left grass behind and debuted a highly rubberized hard court called Rebound Ace.  This type of hard court was used from 1988-2007 but its tendency to “grab” the soles of players’ shoes and ruin ankles on…

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Australian Open 2020: Sofia Kenin reaches the Final!

ENORME SURPRISE A MELBOURNE ! @SofiaKenin bat @ashbarty 7/6, 7/5 pour se qualifier pour sa première finale de Grand Chelem. @AustralianOpen 💥💥💥 pic.twitter.com/1ESPcEBl36 — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) January 30, 2020 Emerging stars always help tennis.  I am not sure how many people pegged Sofia Kenin to reach a major final prior to this event.  Yet, here…

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Australian 2020: My 1st Grumpy Old Man Post

It is strange for me to not have engaged the 1st major of the year until the middle of the first week.  I am now 44 and 2020 has me starting my year is a less than youthful joy.  Here are my reasons: A capacity crowd of more than 15,000 at Rod Laver Arena watched…

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Australian Wildfires: Bigger than Tennis

Canberra Challenger officially moved to Bendigo. https://t.co/VNhinyLA8q — Alex Theodoridis (@AlexTheodorid1s) January 2, 2020 A lot more than tennis is going on in terms of wildfires and heatwaves in Australia.  Tennis cannot solve the issues involved in these and other weather-related incidents around the world.  Yet, tennis is a global sport with an 11-month season. …

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Happy New Year! 2020 Should be a Big Year for Tennis

Happy New Year to all of you! Dan Martin This was a nice tweet from the International Tennis Hall of Fame: Preserve. Celebrate. Inspire! Sending a hearty racquet clap the the year that was, and looking forward to many more great Hall of Fame moments in 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣! pic.twitter.com/FTMOIKOhf6 — Tennis Hall of Fame (@TennisHalloFame) December…

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Looking Ahead to 2020: 5 Big Questions

Will Serena Williams win a 24th (or more) major in 2020?  My guess is yes as I think she seems to be dialed in during this offseason.  The talent pool she is facing is deep and comparatively younger so 2020 represents her best chance at 24 and beyond, but 4 runner-up finishes over the past two…

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TCU’s Head Coach and Other Tennis Tweets This Week

I am not sure what to make of this roster photo, but it is interesting at least. Happy Birthday to our fearless leader, Coach Roditi! #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/dSVFTPULFp — TCU Men's Tennis (@TCUMensTennis) November 30, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Caroline Wozniacki had INSANE athleticism — exhibit 1 of 5713: pic.twitter.com/iuJumMmw26 — Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) December 6, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js…

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If you are upset about … Pete Sampras’ 14 majors (Part 1 of a Series)

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…

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Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone

I am grateful for bludgeoning groundstrokes among other things Many countries celebrate the act of giving thanks.  The dates do not line-up so my offering is not intended to be jingoistic as today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States.  Still, taking the time to give thanks and express gratitude is always worthwhile. As tennis…

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