I will try to just recall major moments involving all 4 majors in tennis since Steffi Graf completed the Calendar Slam in 1988. This win represented a Career Grand Slam for Steffi Graf as well. 1. Steffi Graf follows the Calendar Slam with a Gold Medal in Singles (Bronze in Doubles as well) at the…
Tag: Novak Djokovic
Predicting the 2021 US Open Men’s Semifinalists
BONUS – First Round Matches of Note Andy Murray vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas – If this were later in the event, even the 2nd round, I would lean heavily toward Tsitsipas. I think Stefanos advances, but playing the 2012 champion and 2008 runner-up in the first round is a nightmare first round draw. Murray has also…
Wimbledon 2021: King Novak VI and Queen Ashleigh I Reign
First, I am sorry that my Wimbledon coverage in 2021 was so sparse. Between a laptop dying, a vacation, and some personal life business, I was not able to give Wimbledon as much attention as it deserved. Second, I went into Wimbledon thinking on the men’s side that three tiers existed: Tier 1 – Novak…
Wimbledon 2021: July 7th Men’s Quarterfinal Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Marton Fucsovics (SRB) – Djokovic has won the 2 most recent Wimbledon titles, is 18-0 in 2021 majors to this point, and is ranked #1 in the world. I am going to pick him to win this and any other match he plays in this event. [6] Roger…
Novak Djokovic’s Mind and the Under 30 ATP Crowd
How did Novak muster the self-confidence to change the Big 2 into the Big 3 despite having a combined 2-9 record versus Federer and Nadal in majors?
French Open 2021: Men’s Singles Final Prediction – Djokovic vs. Tsitsipas
I pretty much agree with both my tweet (shocking!) and with Howard Bryant. On Friday, I told someone, “If Tsitsipas serves well, hits spots that set him up well. He has a 40-45% chance of winning. If he doesn’t serve well, I think he has less than a 10% chance of winning.” I would add…
Chess and Tennis: Chess Can Be Good for Your Tennis Game
David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest spends a few pages describing tennis as a hybrid of chess and boxing. Reading this led me to thinking about Ivan Ljubicic being a strong chess player and Boris Becker complimenting world #1 Novak Djokovic’s chess acumen. This might deserve more investigation. Uniquely Qualified? I’ve been playing tennis since 1985…
French Open 2021: The 58th Meeting between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal – Prediction
How often does the world #1 get to enter a match with many people thinking he has no chance to win? If he loses in 3 or 4 sets, no one is going to think much of it because it is Rafa in Rafa’s house.
All Hail Queen Naomi II and King Novak IX: A Historical Perspective on Australian Open 2021
While the WTA computer does not yet reflect this fact, clear world #1s exist on both the ATP and WTA Tours. Novak Djokovic moved to 9-0 in Australian Open championship matches and grabbed major #18! Novak won his semifinal and final rounds in straight sets after facing tough challenges in rounds 2, 3, 4, and…
Australian Open 2021: Novak Djokovic vs. Daniil Medvedev Championship Prediction
Novak Djokovic vs. Daniil Medvedev Elastic Tennis vs. Amoeba Tennis I watched Novak Djokovic practice in Cincinnati and was taken with how smooth his swings were and what a great economy of motion he had. That was over a decade ago, but Djokovic’s flexibility, defensive skills, ability to take the ball early, his keen strategic…
