Serving up all things tennis including on-court musings and off-court scoop
By James A.Crabtree Do we start with those lacklustre Aussies? Do we mention their worst Wimbledon since 1938? Should we mention the departures of Hewitt, Ebden and Matosevic? Or just recall the pitiful racquet crushing display by the temperamental Bernard Tomic, that was less atomic than just plain old comic. And what about the erratic ousting of Sam Stosur by world number seventy one Arantxa … [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...]
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...]
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...]
According to 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Goliath was an oversized, if not giant soldier from Gath. Legend told he was a big mouth who protested he could beat anyone in a fight. Subsequently all the Israelite soldiers were afraid to fight until David, a little upstart, showed up with his sling. We all know how it ended. Perhaps it is time that this story was rewritten. Firstly John Isner comes across … [Read more...]
Some Saturday afternoons you find yourself mouth agape, sprawled out on the couch, watching a movie you haven't seen for years. You know you should leave the couch because the lawn has to be mowed or the dishes have to be done but you just can’t muster the energy. In fact there is a strong gravitational pull holding you to the couch. Even more dangerous is the magnetic pull keeping your eye … [Read more...]
I really shouldn't be talking about this. It is far too top secret, but since you are here I shall divulge. Consider yourselves very lucky. Now, I am sure you’ve always believed that tennis players were born from a mixture of natural talent, raw ability, hard work and luck. You are, however, most surely mistaken for it has all been preordained. Right now, yes right now whilst you read … [Read more...]
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