Archive for January 2017
Jan/17
31
Del Potro and Raonic Headed To Delray Beach
59 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD NO.3 RAONIC, DEL POTRO & BRYAN BROS
Blockbuster ATP World Tour Tuesday Schedule Confirmed
DELRAY BEACH, FL: The Delray Beach Open has announced first-round schedules for world No. 3 Milos Raonic and former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro for the upcoming ATP World Tour event that will be played at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center February 17 - 26.
If he maintains his No. 3 ranking, the 26-year-old Raonic would be the highest ranked player in the tournament's 25-year history. He will play his first-round match on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 12:30 pm in the day session's feature slot. Continue to read full article...
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By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Member U.S. Davis Cup Team. Finished last year ranked No. 28 and won his first ATP title in Washington.
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 170
Born On: December 28, 1979 In: Yonkers, NY
Childhood Heroes: "Does it have to be in tennis? I'd say Michael Jordan impressed me with how he got ready for every game. And he had to show everyone he was the best every time he stepped on that court."
Nicknames: "Junior. JB. Squirt Gun - luckily that was short-lived. On the Harvard team, most of the guys had nicknames. One guy gave most of the guys their nicknames. And my brother (Thomas) was Tommy Gun. So the first time I came up for a visit - I was 5' 4", a little kid - and so they called me Squirt Gun." Continue to read full article...
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by Henk Abbink
We can safely assume I am speaking for the entire 'Tennis Universe', when I state that this is THE Australian Open Final we all hoped and rooted for and can't wait to watch!
This is one of tennis' most amazing competitions, rivalries and, both on and off court, friendships. There has been a bond and mutual respect between these two of the all-time best players, from the very first time they met in Miami (Key Biscayne) at the Nasdaq Masters in 2004. There I witnessed the, then 17-year-young Next-Gen, Spaniard almost embarrassed by beating the Swiss player he admired so greatly. The year after, on the very same court in the finals, it was the Swiss champ we saw winning a highly entertaining five-set duel against the then 18-year-old Mallorcan. The stage was set. What followed between these two role models is history. Continue to read full article...
Jan/17
26
Interesting 2006 Interview with Ivan Lendl
Comments off · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
Q. What are you up to these days, for lack of a better question?
IVAN LENDL: Well, we have five daughters. Three of them play golf tournaments around the country, so that keeps me pretty busy.
Q. Are you teaching tennis or doing anything in the sport itself these days?
IVAN LENDL: No, not very much. I enjoy watching the game every now and then if I have time. Other than that, I pretty much do the driving.
Q. You won six championships here in Canada. Do you have a favorite memory, recollection of your times here in Canada?
IVAN LENDL: As I said earlier, I always enjoyed here. Whether it's Toronto or Montréal doesn't really matter to me. Outside of tennis and golf, I enjoy hockey a lot, so it's always good to come to Toronto. I was here actually earlier this year, visited the hockey Hall of Fame with one of my daughters who likes hockey very much. I have to say we were very proud to see that Carolina Hurricanes won the Cup. Continue to read full article...
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Jan/17
26
Flashback: 25-year-old Federer talked about playing at 35
2 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
Q. Do you think Agassi is the last guy who is going to seriously compete for Grand Slam titles at 35, 36 years old?
ROGER FEDERER: No, I don't think so. I think there will be down the road other guys playing at that age, too.
Q. Could you see yourself still having the physical and mental desire to keep pushing on at that stage?
ROGER FEDERER: Don't know. I mean, I've set my goals sort of to 2012 Olympics sort of here in Wimbledon. But then I'm 31. After that, you have to see how you feel. Continue to read full article...
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A few years ago I had a conversation at Wimbledon with Robbie Koenig the South African commentator about the lost "art" of serving and volleying in the "modern" game. I believe it was "lost"
because of the ability of most junior coaches to imitate rather than innovate. It is actually comical to hear the commentators of the "new generations" sitting in the commentary booths going " wow! Ooh! He served and volleyed and we don't see this type of thing that often!" Continue to read full article...
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By Jayita Belcourt
January last year, Coco Vandewedghe lost first round to fellow American Madison Brengle at the Australian Open. What followed next didn’t earn any bragging rights - with the exception of Wimbledon where she reached round R16 – the American lost second round at Rolland Garros and fell flat at the US Open first round in her singles quest. Continue to read full article...
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By Louise Belcourt
Since the rise of Johanna Konta last year in her maiden run to the Australian Open semi final, I have been a fan of how she plays the game. Her serve, her nerve and attacking play are impressive. And now, after sitting in the Australian Open press room yesterday, I’m a fan of Johanna Konta off the court as well. Continue to read full article...
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By Louise Belcourt
The tennis world has been rocked again, as world number 1 Andy Murray lost to world number 50 Mischa Zverev 7-5 5-7 6-2 6-4 in round 4 of the Australian Open.
In a warm afternoon, Zverev piled on the heat attacking the net 118 times in their 3 hour and 34 minute battle.
Both aged 29, the credentials of the 2 could not be more opposite. No one expected the German to trouble the 3 time grand slam champ. Before this week, Zverev had only advanced past the first round at a grand slam in 5 out of 18 attempts, and had never gone past the second round in the Australian Open.
However today was to be a different story. Continue to read full article...
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Jan/17
21
Reflections from the AO – What’s happened to Novak?
33 Comments · Posted by Staff in Bios
By Jayita Belcourt
This time last year, Novak Djokovic was sparring for his sixth Australian Open title - seemingly unstoppable and fiercely optimistic after his near perfect 2015 season where he racked up three majors (Australian Open, Wimbeldon and US Open) and six masters 1000 titles.
“2015 was the best season and best year of my life undoubtedly. I enjoyed every moment spent on the court. I'll try to obviously carry that confidence and high level of performance that I've had, especially towards the end of the year, into the new season,†said an elated Djokovic at the Australian Open in January 2016.
Come 2017, things are a different story with life far from his ideal script. Continue to read full article...
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