While I consider Novak Djokovic’s 5 set 2012 Australian Open final victory over Rafael Nadal to be the greatest match ever played (to this point?), this should be an interesting documentary.
Tag: Tennis History
Is Tennis Dying in the US? Part 1
A couple of weeks ago, a strong junior player asked me, “Don’t you think tennis is a dying sport in the US?” My first reaction was to think no followed by I hope not. I didn’t vocalize either of those views though. I tried to think about things as this is a complicated question. …
Food for Thought on Nadal’s Grand Slam Haul
Howard Bryant of ESPN pointed out after the 2017 US Open that those dismissing Nadal as only a threat on clay are wrong due to Rafa having as many non-clay majors as Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg. 11 Roland Garros Titles = Borg + Wilander + Courier’s Haul or 11 Roland Garros Titles = Borg…
French Open Memories: 1991
I already wrote about the 4-year Courier-Agassi Wars of 1989-1992. There was another memorable clash of US players in 1991. Jimmy Connors took on 1989 Roland Garros champion Michael Chang. On paper, this didn’t look like much of a match. Jimmy Connors did win the 1976 US Open on Har-Tru/green clay, but it was 1991…
2018 and the ATP Tour – 2003 Redux?
2017 – The Echo Year? 2018 – The Realigning Year? Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal neatly divided most of the biggest prizes in tennis in 2017. It looked a lot like 2005-2010 in which the two won all but 3 majors. I called 2017 “the Echo Year” to my friends. Yet, something odd happened at…
Roger Federer is Back to #1 with his 97th Career Title
Roger Federer is #1 again. He is the oldest #1 in history supplanted Andre Agassi in that category. Given that he defends 2000 combined points at Indian Wells and Miami, I am not sure that it will be a long reign. Still, it is fairly unbelievable. If Rafa wins Acapulco, where the Spaniard is defending…
Tennis History: Pete Sampras goes Airborn Twice to Win a Point vs. Agassi
Sampras slam dunk 😲🏀Watch the first selection of 1990s ATP matches now on Tennis TV (link in bio). Credit to : @tennistvI don't own any content. This is just a sports news update. I wish everyone a relaxing time> Have a nice day!——————————– pic.twitter.com/hPQHBrn4Pp — SportNews__Page (@SportnewsP) February 11, 2018 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
My History of Favorable Treatment from Tournaments toward Stars
Roger Federer’s frequent night play on Rod Laver Arena sparked some controversy at this year’s Australian Open. I will start with 1991 because I recall the write-up of Jimmy Connors 1991 US Open run mentioning him asking for and receiving extra night matches. Could Connors have run like this during the day and recovered as…
Australian Open 2018: Roger Federer Reaches 20 Love
I KNOW WE'RE GETTING HD PICS SOON BUT I CAN'T STOP pic.twitter.com/StRs3QriAe — #RF19 (@fedology) January 28, 2018 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Roger Federer Steadies Himself to Win his 20th Major Title & 6th Australian Open Title Roger Federer’s serve looked quite vulnerable at the close of the 4th set and opening stages of the 5th set. Would…
Australian Open Memories: Boris Becker defeats Chang to Claim 2nd Aussie Crown
Boris Becker Followed up a Big Finale to 1995 with his 6th and Final Grand Slam Title to Open 1996 Boris Becker was Wimbledon runner-up and a US Open semifinalist in 1995. He capped those strong efforts with an ATP World Championships title by beating Michael Chang in the final. He again faced Chang in…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 