Author Archive
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, [...]
Playing Like a Longshoreman
King of Comebacks...Grandma's Rock...Quotebook
BACK-TO-BACK
•Kim Clijsters made he comeback at the ‘09 U.S. Open. Justine Henin returned at the next Slam, the AO. (And, by the way, fellow Belgian Kirsten Flipkins lost to Clijsters in the third round at the USO and to Henin in the first round in Melbourne.)
•Maria Sharapova suffered a humbling defeat to Melanie Oudin at [...]
18 Australian Open Questions for Day 1
Questions, Questions…
1. They say tennis players are a bunch of selfish louts. But how cool is it that the tennis community (in about a day) came together to implement Roger Federer’s idea for a pre-Aussie Open fundraiser for Haitian relief? Fed, Nadal, Roddick, Serena, Hewitt, Clijsters, Courier, et al, all came out and filled Laver Arena [...]
Andre Agassi Interview, part 1
"MY FIGHT FOR PEACE": Agassi reflects on his drug use, lies, fears, dreams and fight for self in an exclusive IT interview.
INSIDE TENNIS: In your book Open there’s a special voice. You go inside, reveal a lot and let ‘er rip.
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, I just didn’t see an alternative. It’s not in my DNA.
IT: Everyone says, “Let’s face it — he just wrote it for the money.”
AA: I’m never going to minimize money, but what blows [...]
New Indian Wells Boss?
Oracle Founder Ellison Looks to Acquire BNP Paribas Open
On the heels of reports that the BNP Paribas Open will be sold by Charlie Pasarell, Ray Moore and a group of investors (including the USTA) to billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison, insiders told Inside Tennis that the deal was not yet complete, that the “ink was not dry, although they’re very, very close.” According [...]
Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole!: A Davis Cup Notebook
Spain Bounces Czechs 5-0 for Second Straight DC Title
NOTHING LIKE IT: There’s nothing quite like the recent string of Spanish Davis Cup ties at home on clay courts with banners waving, trumpets blaring, drums pounding: thundersticks and ecstasy. The Spaniards unleashed a joyous red-and-gold happening that combined nationalistic pride and relentless feel-good joy.
Amelie Mauresmo: A Vintage to Savor
Two-time Slam Champ Calls It Quits at 30
In many ways, Amelie Mauresmo seemed to have it all. It wasn’t just that in ‘06 she won both the Aussie Open and Wimbledon, became France’s first No. 1 player in the world since Suzanne Lenglen or Henri Cochet, or led her nation to the ‘03 Fed Cup title, she was fun loving and interesting. [...]