Archive for June 2016
Shock upsets are rare occurrences in the world of pro tennis, where top players seldom surrender a centimeter of their hard-earned territory. In this feature, pro players talk about memories of their major upsets...
Scott Draper: "I played Thomas Muster in Rome. He was the King of Clay, number two in the world, defending champion. And I just went out there, I don't know, I just had a great day where I committed to what I was trying to do and I beat him in three and a quarter hours. He went to the hospital after the match. It was one of those matches where I played unbelievable." Continue to read full article...
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The highpoint of the tennis season is here. It looks like Novak and Andy are on a collision course but you can never count out Roger Federer who is especially hungry and eager right now because this could very well be his last chance to win a major title. There are some fine first round battles - I like the Fritz vs Wawrinka showdown and Karlovic vs Coric and Isner vs Baghdatis as well as Gulbis vs Sock. Continue to read full article...
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The ITF is supposedly considering the appeal of Maria Sharapova of her two year ban for using an illegal performance-enhancing drug and because of her good standing and because it's a first time violation there is speculation that the ban could be reduced to a retroactive six months. I say stop the persecution of a tennis icon and free Sharapova from the dungeon of being denied her job of playing tennis. It does seem like a witch hunt persecution in my opinion. Roy Jones tested positive for using steroids after his fight with Richard Hall and got nothing but a slap on the wrist - Continue to read full article...
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Serena Williams refused a 2011 surprise drug test at her Los Angeles residence - and got no ban for doing so. ‪Sharapova‬ was caught earlier this year using a substance called meldonium which was legal for nine yrs and then is suddenly arbitrarily banned this year - and gets walloped today with a two year ban. Life is fair? Continue to read full article...
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Ashleigh Barty was apparently done with tennis in September 2014 when she quit the sport and started to play cricket.  It was an astonishing move because the talented Australian lefty  was just eighteen at the time and already a three-time grand slam doubles finalist (with partner Casey Dellaqua).  Suddenly and shockingly, Ashleigh's tennis career was turned to ashes before it even really got going. Continue to read full article...
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John McEnroe said on the NBC telecast of the Roland Garros doubles final that he was fortunate to meet the boxing legend Muhammad Ali on two brief occasions at sports function. McEnroe said Ali got in his face and whispered: "You crazier than me." Continue to read full article...
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Jun/16
6
Newport Field: Kokkinakis, Johnson, Ivo, Bag, Rajeev, Fritz, Donaldson
Comments off · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
Marcos Baghdatis,Thanasi Kokkinakis, Ivo Karlovic, Steve Johnson, and Defending Champion Rajeev Ram to compete in Hall of Fame Tennis Championships
NEWPORT, R.I., May 27, 2016 - When the ATP World Tour comes to Newport, R.I. in July for the first stop of the summer season in the United States, the player field will feature a Grand Slam tournament finalist, several players ranked among the world top-50, a group of the world's brightest young stars, and Newport fan favorites who have seen success on the International Tennis Hall of Fame grass courts previously. Continue to read full article...
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Jun/16
5
King of Clay Novak Djokovic: Mission Accomplished
69 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
Novak Djokovic needed to summon his best tennis to subdue a super inspired Andy Murray today in the Roland Garros final and despite a couple of scares he was able to get the job done to win major title number twelve and finally Roland Garros number one. And no less remarkable Djokovic completed the calendar year grand slam as he is now the reigning champion of all four majors - a feat that has not been achieved since Rod Laver did it nearly a half-century ago. Continue to read full article...
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Garbine Muguruza's power tennis was too much for Serena Williams today as she is now the first Spanish woman to win the Roland Garros title since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. It was all about power and Muguruza was the one who dictated the action with her piercing baseline strikes and change of ball direction. Of course against a player of the caliber of Serena it was still a struggle every step of the way. Continue to read full article...
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An ex WTA star who is (or was) a very ardent supporter of Novak Djokovic is appalled at his on court behavior this year: “I am sorry to say I am losing all respect for him now. After seeing him here in Miami, and now one tantrum after the other. What’s up with this guy? […] Continue to read full article...
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