Bernard Tomic has established himself at this Australian Open as the standout young prospect in tennis, separating himself from Dimitrov and Harrison (Raonic is a couple of years older than BT). His five set wins over Fernando Verdasco and Alexander Dolgopolov were nothing short of sensational. Tomic uses a unique style which is bolstered by intelligence, variety, defense, offense, whatever it takes. Darren Cahill says Tomic has his own way of playing the game and also an independent view of how it should be played. Continue to read full article...

Is this Tomic's Australian Open?

I was asked to pen an article about the "Is Marcelo Rios the best player to never win a major" topic. Here is the attempt to prove the very debatable point... It's at British journalist Mark Hodkinson's brand new site www.thetennisspace.com, which I highly recomment... http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/the-greatest-without-a-slam-its-not-andy-murray/ The author of a new book on Marcelo Rios argues that the Chilean, not Andy Murray, is the greatest player without a grand slam title. Marat Safin, a former US Open and Australian Open champion, tells me how the Chilean had the talent to win “ten grand slams”. Thomas Johansson, a former winner of the Australian Open, says of Rios, “he could make you feel like it was the first time you were standing on a tennis court, so I hated to play him. You could get killed by him easily, one and one or something like that, and you could have played a good match.” Continue to read full article...

Best talent to never win a slam? It's Rios

Martin Baldridge: "Interesting book. The method of delivery though is very entertaining - snippet after snippet of information from very knowledgeable tennis players and commentators. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the Chilean - and I have done so!" Andres Barbosa: "I wanted to commend you on a great read of Marcelo Rios. I ripped off the cover and stapled it to our tennis wall at the facility (Tropical Park Tennis Center) since I live in South Florida and the Chilean crowd is quite large. Hopefully that will promote some more sales." Continue to read full article...

Rios book getting positive reviews

Nalbandian is now repping Topper attire, apparently Yonex has dropped the Argentine veteran. Yonex has two new endorsers in Bernard Tomic (racquet) and Stan Wawrinka (attire and racquet). Is Philipp Petzchner the first player in ATP history to wear his white socks pulled up to his knees? Could be. If you missed it, the German is wearing blue shorts, blue shirt and high white socks. Continue to read full article...

Get well Mats!

By Jayita Belcourt Cool, calm and collected. That was Bernard Tomic tonight on Rod Laver arena up against USA’s Sam Querrey in the 2nd round of the Australian Open. Down 1-0 in the second set, Tomic, the ATP ranked #38 looked un-phased. He simply moved across the court in his usual casual and “care-free” manner. Tipping and lobbing the ball in all kinds of unpredictable directions and speeds. He could have been knitting a jumper. Continue to read full article...

Tomic v. Dolgo Next

By Jayita Belcourt Leading up to the Australian open, the Australian media had portraying Hewitt as old news. Recently described as a “low ranked” .. “injured-ravaged” ... “invisible man”, Hewitt was anything but that tonight. With a show-down on the Rod Laver arena against German youngster Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, Hewitt proved too strong too good. Hewitt powered through the match to secure a four set victory 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in just over 4 hours. Continue to read full article...

Hewitt sets showdown with rival Roddick

This was a big tournament for Ryan Harrison, he's the big ballyhooed American young gun who hasn't skyrocketed to stardom just yet but he has shown glimpses of becoming an ATP force. Harrison has many fine qualities - he's a mature, intelligent person and player. He has tremendous defensive and counterpunching talents. He is a tenacious competitor who will battle to the end with a knack for grinding out five setters. Continue to read full article...

Nice performance for Rhino

46 67 64 62 75 win for the 19-year-old Australian who came within a couple of sets of making the Wimbledon semis last year. Verdasco took the early lead by two sets with a free flowing powerful display. Tomic had a triple set point in the second with Verdasco serving at 5-6 but the Spaniard saved the game. Tomic had an easy forehand into open court but it clipped the net cord and dribbled wide. Verdasco then won the tiebreak and Tomic looked dead in the water. Continue to read full article...

Tomic terminates mighty Spaniard

This is a long read but a very interesting and inspiring perspective on developing tennis in the U.S. by Wayne Bryan, the father of the Bryan Brothers, to the USTA. I found this letter on Johan Kriek's Facebook page... Wayne Brian's letter..A MUST READ!!! Love this guy!! Here is a letter Wayne Bryan wrote to one of his friends who just took a position with the USTA. But I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did. His sons just rolled to another victory in Sydney and I think that makes #76 for ATP Titles! Continue to read full article...

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I'm playing a USTA tourney in Tampa at Train Smart in Arbor Green. My first opponent Richard, is a local who smiles mockingly when I start to crack a couple of winners in the warm up. I like to hit some finishing shots in the warmup but this fella didn't like it. He was very steady and consistent off both wings and that smile conveyed a message that he was laughing at my best shots. This might be a battle. Continue to read full article...

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