150,000 Reasons Why Roger Federer Won the Australian Open

Yes, there is actually one thing wrong with Roger Federer.
He’s a lousy historian.
He claimed that 1936 – the year when a Brit last won a major – was 150,000 years ago.
Wrong, not even close Rog. Try 74 years. And, since then, in case you haven’t noticed, there have been many a stunning development in [...]

92,000 Reasons Why Serena Won the Australian Open

She only had 92,000 reasons to win the Australian Open.
After all, just five months ago, Serena Williams imploded in New York and her late night  x-ranted rant, prompted many to say that she should be banned from even playing in Melbourne. Instead she was fined $92,000.
Serena was not pleased. And it’s not such a [...]

Poetic Justice

An Australian Open Notebook (Day 11)

HOWL: Allen Ginsberg’s seminal poem “Howl” famously referred to the “best minds of my generation” and their effort to break through the smothering conformity of the ‘50s.  Serena Williams’ ear-splitting “howl” at the beginning of the second-set tiebreak against Li Na marked a stunning effort by the best (tennis) woman of her generation to break [...]

Let a Thousand Tennis Balls Bloom

Intended (and Not So Intended) Consequences

Sometimes it’s obvious.  On-court tennis events often quickstart long lasting trends. In the ’70s, Bjorn Borg – such an  appealing lad with flowing blonde locks — broke through and a (Wilander-to-Edberg-to-Enqvist)  Swedish boom swept tennis.
Other times, “it’s not about the tennis, stupid” as events far from the court impact our game. Obviously, the winds of [...]

A Knockout Puncher At a Buck 54

An Australian Open Notebook (Day 10)

THAT’S NO STRETCH: As the ever-languid Roger Federer prepped for his quarterfinal matchup with Nikolay Davydenko, Pam Shriver quipped, “Watching him warm up is like doing yoga.  I feel relaxed already.”
WHO SAYS 13′S AN UNLUCKY NUMBER?: After dropping the first set in just 34 minutes, Federer reeled off 13 straight games and eventually overcame Davydenko [...]

Australian Open Buzz (Day 8)

Another Donation to the Bank of Russia

OH, THE INHUMANITY: Just when the compelling Andy Roddick vs. Marin Cilic quarterfinal was peaking for a clear dramatic turn at the very beginning of the fifth set, ESPN went to their outer broadcast booth for some mid-match chatter, missing the first two key points of the first game (which Roddick won).
COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA: What [...]

Australian Open Buzz (Day 7)

'Unpredictable Consistency'

ACTUALLY, WHEN YOU THINK OF IT, IT MAKES SENSE: As Fernando Gonzalez gave Andy Roddick more than he bargained for in the fourth round, Justin Gimelstob said, “He’s playing with such unpredictable consistency. That’s a contradiction, but …”
CUTTING EDGE COMMENTARY OF THE AO: Reflecting on a nervous Juan Martin Del Potro, Chris Fowler said, “I [...]

Australian Open Buzz (Day 6)

Beware the Bare Rear

NO KIDDING: Reflecting on how Roger Federer doesn’t hesitate to celebrate his genius, Brad Gilbert noted, “He has a quiet cockiness.”
UNKIND TO BERNIE POO AND OTHER BEDTIME CRITIQUES: After the promising, but controversial Aussie Bernard Tomic, 17, complained about playing at night, Greg Baum referred to him as Bernie Poo and then pounced, “When little [...]

Learning to Love Andy Roddick

At last we can spare the A-Rod

Since ‘68 and the dawning of the Open era, it’s been rather simple. You could divide American men’s tennis into four comfy eras.  First there were the dignified pioneers like Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith. Then came the raucous (wake ‘em up at the country club”) bad boys  Jimmy Connors and Johhny Mac, followed by [...]

Australian Open Buzz (Day 5)

A 42-Foot-Tall Goliath (and Other Tennis Tales)

JUST A SLIGHT EXAGGERATION: Justin Gimelstob said John Isner had a great advantage “by being 42 feet tall.”
THE TALL AND SHORT OF IT: During the clash between 6-foot-9 John Isner and 6—foot-4 Gael Monfils, Chris Fowler noted, “If you want to feel short, just walk around a tennis tournament these days.”
WHAT’S MORE OUTRAGEOUS?: That Serena and Venus Williams, [...]