One Weary, Torpid, Seasick, Screwed-Up Adolescent

Australian Open Notes

A DAMP COMMENT: Steve Brenner called Andy’s Murray‘s performance in the Australian Open final “the dampest of squibs.”

WTA First: 10 Nations In Top 10

Globalization of Game Reaches New Level

If you aren’t yet convinced that this game has gone global, just take a look at the latest WTA world rankings.  For the first time ever, the WTA’s top 10 features players from 10 different countries. Eleven different nations are represented among the top 11 spots, and 30 different countries among the top 60. The [...]

Indians vs. Twins/Astaire vs. Kelly

Australian Open Notes

ANSWER THE QUESTION: When Alexandr Dolgopolov‘s coach, Jack Reader, was asked what his Ukrainian pupil should do to beat Any Murray, he responded, “You should ask what Murray should do to beat Dolgopolov.” COULD BE DANGEROUS: When reflecting on Dolgopolov’s low toss, Chris Bowers claimed, “It’s like he puts the ball on his racket.  But [...]

Rafa Slammed

‘Federer Is An Air Runner, Nadal Is An Earth Runner’

The control freak was back in control.  Prior to his Australian Open quarterfinal, the world again seemed to be back on its orbit for Rafa Nadal, the greatest (micro-details matter) control-meister in the game.

The Heart of the Matter Is Heart

Australian Open Notes

A LONELY LAMENT: A man e-mailed Australian Open Radio and asked, “Could Caroline Wozniacki go on a date with me? P.S. I have never gone out on a date.”

The Ugliest Green Since King Kong Blew His Nose

Australian Open Notes

A COMMENT LIKE THAT TAKES SOME BALLS: Esquire’s Tom Chiarella said model Brooklyn Decker married “the only appealing American tennis player with gonads.” GAZUNTITE: The Guardian said the color of Andy Murray‘s new adidas duds “might be the ugliest green since King Kong blew his nose.” LIP BAUM: Regarding the woeful state of Australian tennis, [...]

Funk and Junk (Plus the Punk From the Gold Coast)

Australian Open Notes

BEST PHRASE OF THE AO: “Funk and junk,” which refers to Bernard Tomic‘s unconventional lifestyle. WHODDA THUNK IT?: The lowly ranked Milos Raonic (who became the first Canadian male to advance to the fourth round of a Grand Slam in 10 years) and Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov (who upset Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Robin Soderling to reach [...]

The Naked Truth: Aussie Open Notes

GOING SOFT?: Regarding conflicts of interest that seem to permeate the world of tennis broadcasting (example: TV commentator Mary Joe Fernandez is married to Roger Federer‘s agent, Tony Godsick), SI.com’s Richard Deitsch asserted, “The sport’s television entities have long fostered a climate where players are subjected to questions about as soft as a Francesca Schiavone [...]

‘Good, Bad, Strange, Weird, Bizarre, All of the Above’

Notes From the Australian Open

GO FIGURE: An apprehensive Justine Henin, despite having won seven Grand Slams, said that after her injury, she was 50-50 on whether she could be able to make a successful comeback. JUST ASTONISHING: Former No. 1 Dinara Safina, she of three Grand Slam finals, was blanked by Kim Clijsters 6-0, 6-0 in under an hour. [...]

A Fluffy, Green Tonsillectomy (and Other Revelations)

Murray's Tears...Serena Chases Fed...Quotebook

NOT GONNA GO THERE: Asked what the difference between Kim Cljsters and Justine Henin is, Serena Williams said, “Uhm, hmm, I’m going to keep that to myself.” SNOTTY LITTLIES IN TOW: The Age’s Linda Pearce marveled at Roger Federer‘s accomplishment in Melbourne, writing, “Fathers struggle to win major titles. It is supposed to be harder [...]