Coaching Changes for Federer, Murray

CH-CH-CH-CH-CHANGES: Andy Murray has pulled the plug on his three-year alliance with coach Miles Maclagan after a disagreement over the role of consultant Alex Corretja. Said Murray, “I’ve had a great relationship with Miles over the past two and a half years, and I want to thank him for his positive contribution to my career. [...]

Somersault!

Rise and Fall, Reemergence and Redemption, the Roger-Rafa Rivalry Sizzles With Compelling Storylines

Like Bjorn Borg, Rafa Nadal has, more than once, achieved what’s said to be the greatest back-to-back achievement in tennis — winning the French Open and Wimbledon within weeks.

Roger Federer: The Man Who Would Not be Denied

Defending Champ Escapes the Greatest Upset in Tennis History

Wimbledon is all about order. Strawberries, cream, the 1 p.m. start for the men’s defending champion Roger Federer.

What, No Rattles, Klaxons or Vuvuzelas?

SAY IT AIN’T SO: The All England Club has banned vuvuzelas (those renowned World Cup noisemakers) from Wimbledon.  Said Ian Ritchie, “Rattles, klaxons and vuvuzelas all fall into that category.  Our message is do not bring them in the first place.”…For the first time in its 133-year history, there will be no English players in [...]

Muster On Comeback Trail; No DC for Murray

SOMETHING’S FISHY HERE: Is it just us, or is it a tad ironic that Boris Becker’s son has a goldfish named Sushi?  After all, it was at the trendy London sushi joint Nobu where the German superstar infamously connected with Russian model Angela Ermakova — an encounter that destroyed his marriage to then-wife Barbara Feltus.
ON [...]

When Piledriver Forehands Turn to Pattercakes

QUICK!  WHERE’S THE NEAREST SALVATION ARMY?: Hugh MacDonald said that Andy Murray “walks with the gait of someone who has just realized he left his winning lottery ticket in the trousers he donated to the charity shop.”
HAPPY IN VICTORY/HAPPY IN DEFEAT: After falling to Sam Querrey in the Queen’s final 7-6(3), 7-5, Mardy Fish said [...]

Book Review: Tennis and Philosophy

Tennis and Philosophy: What the Racket Is All About
Edited by David Baggett
University Press of Kentucky
Perhaps because of its aristocratic origins, perhaps because of its country club image, perhaps because so many literary types slum as sportswriters, tennis has always had the aura of a thinking man’s game. This reputation has persisted despite the fact that [...]

Farewell, Federer

Swede Soderling Derails Fed's Streak With 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 Upset

PARIS — It was a foregone conclusion. Just put a stamp on it.  Mail it in. The French Open was merely a formality, a matter of playing through six preliminary rounds — ho-hum — so we could get to the main event all of tennis was expecting, was waiting for, was entitled to.

Surface Wars (and Other Roland Garros Revelations)

Venus ‘Disillusioned?’, Murph’s Tax Troubles, Ana-JJ Catfight

World No. 1 Roger Federer ruffled some feathers when, prior to Roland Garros, he appeared to question the completeness of a clay-courter’s skill set.  Said the Swiss: “On clay you don’t need a volley or a serve. You just need legs, an incredible forehand and backhand, and to run after every ball. I’m not trying [...]

Notebook: ‘When You Can’t Move, It’s Difficult to Win’

CHRISSIE VS. MARTINA: In his new book “Rivals! The 10 Greatest American Sports Rivalries of the 20th Century,” author Richard Davies lists the storied Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova clashes among the fiercest rivalries in sports.  Here are the others: Ohio State-Michigan football, Yale-Harvard football, Duke-UNC men’s basketball, Red Sox-Yankees, Bears-Packers, Dodgers-Giants, Celtics-Lakers, Joe Frazier-Muhammad [...]