The above response from Jon Wertheim to the notion that basketball has suffered due to constantly comparing the current NBA to the NBA of the 1990s is spot on. For how many years have we heard the tennis media and many tennis fans lament that someone is NOT Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Andre…
Tag: Tennis History
Grand Slam Achievements in Tennis since Graf’s Calendar Slam in 1988
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…
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…
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…
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…
Review of Aceing Depression: A Tennis Champion’s Toghest Match Part 1
Former professional tennis player Cliff Richey and his daughter Hillaire Richey Kallendorf, Ph.D. wrote a book exploring both Cliff’s tennis career and lifelong battle with depression. I am writing this review in two parts because it is a topic that deserves full focus. There are aspects of this book that while fascinating or unique do…
Novak Djokovic will Finish a Record Tying 6th Year Ranked #1*
Tennis records have been equalled and falling quite a bit since Pete Sampras won his the record tying 12th major at Wimbledon 1999. Novak Djokovic just equaled Pete Sampras’ record of finishing 6 years ranked #1. Jimmy Connors finished 5 consecutive years at #1, and Pete Sampras bested that by finishing 6 consecutive years ranked…
French Open 2020: Tennismagedon Djokovic vs. Nadal for the Title (Prediction)
This is a BIG Match For Djokovic to win: Djokovic needs to take care of his serve as his return is the best in the business. If he gets multiple routine holds per set, the pressure shifts heavily against Nadal. Djokovic needs to establish patterns in points in which he keeps the ball into Nadal’s…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 