Posts Tagged ‘Rafael Nadal’
No Djok: Serbian Collects Australian Open
Fab Four Leader Takes Tennis to a New Dimension
It was a mantra Pete Sampras loved to recite. Again and again we heard that to beat his great rival Andre Agassi, he had to play his very best. After all his rival — the bald, pigeon-toed blaster — forced him to raise the level of his game to its greatest heights. And it’s just [...]
Raonic: ‘There’s Room Among the Big 4′
Canadian Poised to Challenge Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, Murray
It’s rare to see a player leap from well outside the ATP Tour’s top 100 into the top 25 in a matter of one year. But that’s just how special a player Milos Raonic is. In an era of big-boy tennis, the 6-foot-5, 198-pound Montenegrin-turned-Canuck has all the tools — big serve, big groundies, an [...]
The Best Surfer In Iowa
Australian Open Buzz: Day 10
GOODBYE, NO. 1: Caroline Wozniacki may have surrendered her No. 1 ranking, but the 5-foot-10 Dane says she has little doubt that she’ll win it back. “I finished No. 1 two years in a row. In the end of the year we will see who played the best. We are just in January. In the [...]
The Buzz: 2011 In Review
Occupy ATP (and Other Tales of the Good, the Strange, the Weird and the Bizarre)
WORST ANALYSIS OF THE YEAR: Mary Rhodes said that Victoria Azarenka (the loudest screecher in the game) was “quietly working her way through [the draw].” INTRO TO PARENTING 101: Of his son, Pete Sampras complained, “I don’t know what’s going on in this kid’s head. Anything I say, he does the opposite.”…After the arrival of [...]
Australian Open Draw Analysis: The Men
Return of Roger In 2012?
TOP HALF 1st QUARTER: The question on everybody’s mind is whether or not Novak Djokovic can sustain the kind of awe-inspiring momentum he displayed in 2011, when the Serb went 70-6 in capturing 10 titles, including three Slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open), five Masters 1000 crowns and the No. 1 ranking. While it’s hard [...]
Serena’s Storm; Djokovic’s Year of Wonder
A Look Back At a Super Wild, Super Weird U.S. Open
FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y. — The entire stadium held its collective breath. After chair umpire Eva Asderaki uttered the fateful words, “It’s her point,” there was a hush in the vast arena. Everyone from primetime pop stars in the President’s Box and to Vinny in Row Z knew a storm was about to hit. The fury [...]
Rafa, Raw and Real
Nadal's Autobiography Reveals Much
The bronze lad has everything: Great looks, a good attitude and 10 Grand Slams. And now young Rafael Nadal has an autobiography entitled, simply, “Rafa.” You might dismiss the notion of a 20-something kid coming out with a bio. The book —written with John Carlin, (who penned the celebrated volume “Invictus,” on Nelson Mandela) — [...]
U.S. Open Buzz: We’re Zingin’ In the Rain
Of the Whiffs, Wonders and Wisdom of a Curious Game They Call Tennis
YOU’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE: Teen Jack Sock confided, “When you play on Ashe [Stadium] at the Open, it feels a lot different than playing at Blue Valley North in May at the high school state championship.” MUCH ADIEU ABOUT NOTHING: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga said, “My game is very good when I have nothing in my [...]
Djokovic’s Year of Wonder
Serb Surges to U.S. Open Title Over Rafa
FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y. — Standing tall, moving with ease, oozing with a quiet confidence based on months of success, Novak Djokovic hit out with astounding ease. Stepping in with his flawless technique and balanced power, he blasted flat and accurate lasers from both wings and returned serve like a deft swordsman.
Rafa On 9/11: ‘I Felt Much Pain; I Suffered, Too’
U.S. Open Buzz Day 14
FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y. — Rafel Nadal was in an unusually reflective mood following his 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 semifinal victory over Scot Andy Murray on Saturday. On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Spaniard took a moment to reflect on the tragedy.