Serving up all things tennis including on-court musings and off-court scoop
By James A. Crabtree What a time it has been already on the only surface that lives and grows. We can only wish there was more than six tournaments yearly on the natural green stuff as the results have been deliciously unpredictable. Where do we start? Queens Club of course, and what a busy week. Firstly the seeds fell enforce. Andy Roddick, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Janko Tipsarevic all put … [Read more...]
By James A. Crabtree Think of your local tennis club. Think of the personalities, the old timers with the giant oversized racquets and the dodgy swings. The young kids, some with undeniable talent but a lack of discipline, or their counterparts who possess the grit but lack the natural flair. And what about the young pretenders to the thrown? You know the one's, they show up with a racquet bag … [Read more...]
By James A. Crabtree Many with an opinion and a little imagination, which is most of us, believed somebody else could do it. They created within their brains the image of a new champion boldly holding above his head the Coupe des Mousquetaires (The Musketeers' Trophy). He would smile, cameras would flicker, sponsors and family’s thanked before doing a speech in French to the delight of the … [Read more...]
By James A. Crabtree It’s not often that the world number 141 captures the world’s interest. Still when the journey back from oblivion has been as hectic as Brian Baker’s, it is easy to understand why. The story was already made for TV good. Now it’s going pre-botox Rocky Balboa crazy. Rewind! In 2003 Brian Baker made the junior French Open final. Oh yes, enroute he beat … [Read more...]
Technique + Attitude + Discipline + Perspective + Ability + Psychological Aptitude x Hard Work = Tennis Superstar? These are just some of the attributes a tennis player needs. There are few distinct ways to grow a tennis superstar. You can have a coach in the family like Uncle Toni or you can become a coach like Richard Williams. You can be part of a structured club system such as the old French … [Read more...]
Sometimes being a great tennis player is not enough. For a few players their lives have been worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster. Together with the trophies they've won their lives have been filled with mystery, wonder and regret. Baron Gottfried Von Cramm Von Cram was a wealthy German tennis player from an aristocratic German family. Included within his trophy cabinet were two French Open … [Read more...]
There are some guys within the latest flurry of tournaments who have been quietly rising up the rankings, finding the sort of form we all thought they were capable of. Others have plateaued whilst some are falling quicker than a sky diver. HOT When looking at the players who have made the most noise on tour in the past few weeks it is easy to point out the numerous tour professionals who … [Read more...]
The stuff in question is dangerous. It cannot be bought, sold, eaten or held in the palm of your hand. When you have enough of it, however, you feel invincible. Your focus is direct; commitment unwavering. Not only that but the belief spills over into behaviour. It changes you, and how others feel about you. It can make you loved, feared and hated, sometimes all at the same time. Often, people … [Read more...]
For the past few years Rafael Nadal has yo-yo'd between the number one and two positions. As we all know he has bounced between positions on the ranking board between Roger Federer and now primarily Novak Djokovic. Until the recent triumph in Monte Carlo the year was looking very much like a carbon copy of 2011. For a player ranked number two with the accolades such as Nadal, his 2011 season … [Read more...]
Welcome the season of red clay. Has the year really progressed that fast? Is it Rafa time already? This year of the 65 ATP events 22 are on clay, so almost one third. Before we get all carried away predicting how the season is going to mould out, let’s take a quick pottery class. The clay court is the Mediterranean gentleman's version of ice hockey, where most share the usual symptomatic … [Read more...]
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