By Scoop Malinowski
I have never pursued trying to analyze dreams but a recent spate of wacky dreams involving tennis has aroused my curiosity on the subject.
Last week I actually had a dream that I was doing a Biofile phone interview with Gabriela Sabatini. It’s puzzling why I could possibly have a dream about Sabatini who is a player I have never met or interviewed and who I don’t think about at all. The only memories I have about Sabatini are that she won the US Open on a controversial match point against Steffi Graf and that she was the only WTA player to vote for Monica Seles to retain her frozen ranking of No. 1 after missing the two years because of being stabbed by that German lunatic. Oh, wait, there’s one other memory. I once did a Biofile in about 1994 with former baseball star Andy Van Slyke who had a funny answer when I asked him his favorite athletes to watch? “Gabriela Sabatini. She’s my girlfriend. But she doesn’t know it.”
So having a dream about interviewing Sabatini on the phone was odd, as most of our dreams are. But the other recent tennis dream I had was even weirder.
The week before I was about to publish “Facing McEnroe” I had a bizarre dream about the book. Somebody heard about the book and had contacted me to say they had a story that reinforces the anecdote Mats Wilander told me about McEnroe in the book. It had something to do with a trophy ceremony with McEnroe and a low-flying airplane during the award presentation.
The only thing I can say about this dream is that it must mean that I really love my work so much that I even have dreams about it at night.
Maybe I should try to do a Biofile with Sabatini before the year is out and Lord knows what kind of dreams I’m going to have as I begin work on my eighth book which will be “Facing Andy Murray.”
(Gabriela Sabatini water color by LeRoy Neiman.)
Have you ever dreamt about tennis?
catherine bell · November 25, 2016 at 9:56 am
Scoop –
Sabatini is a nice person, good subject for a Biofile – I saw her interviewed a couple of years ago in a German documentary about Steffi (it’s on Youtube).
She was quite young obviously when I saw her play, not completely developed, and reluctant to say anything much in interviews. One of her peers said ‘Gabriela has tennis-elbow of the personality’ which at the time I thought was a bit cruel and still do.
Often wondered if she really enjoyed playing or the lifestyle – she retired when I wasn’t following the game so don’t know any details about her latter career.
Have you read Michael Mewshaw’s book about the women’s game ? Gabriela figures in that. A lot of people can’t stand Mewshaw but I quite enjoyed his writing, on tennis and other things. He really set the cat among the pigeons with stuffy tennis writers 🙂
Steffi and Gabriela played a great 5 setter at the end of 80s – Tour finals I think in M Square Garden ?
Scoop Malinowski · November 25, 2016 at 11:31 am
Sabatini is a really nice person from everyone I know in tennis – she was also very overprotected by her father – my career won’t be complete till I do a Biofile with Sabatini 🙂 Yes I did read michael mewshaw’s books and they were pretty good – he went after the sensationalism aspect with alleging about the female players being involved with their coaches but no real concrete proof just rumors and innuendo – I’m sure it happens in tennis and have seen some evidence and heard a tale involving a current ESPN analyst and a certain ex Russian player but it’s no big deal because we all know these things are going to happen and will always happen –
Hartt · November 25, 2016 at 11:52 am
I always had a soft spot for Sabatini, maybe because she seemed shy. I still remember an interview where Graf was asked about their rivalry and Graf said something like, what rivalry? I always beat her. Unfortunately, at the time it was pretty well true.
catherine bell · November 25, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Scoop –
Yes Mewshaw did go after the sleaze a bit but it balanced out some of the squeaky clean stuff we were fed which was in no way reality.
And yes, all sorts of things happen in sports which we don’t necessarily hear about and why should we ? If there’s no crime done etc.
I certainly got to hear many true stories which I never printed because it was really nothing to do with the action on court and not my life to make free with.
You can really hurt people, ruin careers maybe, and what’s the point of that ?
Scoop Malinowski · November 25, 2016 at 4:21 pm
Everybody likes Sabatini – she is one of those players like Delpo and Edberg and Petkovic and Wozniacki who everyone likes – I know Seles has said often how much it meant to her when Sabatini was the only player to vote in favor of giving back Seles her no 1 ranking when she returned to tennis after the stabbing – total class move by Sabatini –
Scoop Malinowski · November 25, 2016 at 4:24 pm
Catherine: That book definitely pursued the ‘sex sells’ aspect of journalism – I have heard far more colorful stories than anything in that book 🙂
catherine bell · November 26, 2016 at 3:32 am
I’m sure Mewshaw had heard many stories as well but of course he had to take into account libel laws which are stricter in Britain than US and his book was published in UK.
Some of the stories we have all heard are true but some are not – I heard one about a very famous player last summer but I didn’t believe a word of it and no paper printed anything. Certain individuals in the media love repeating these things because that way they feel important and close to the action 🙂
catherine bell · November 26, 2016 at 8:43 am
I looked at that last sentence and thought OMG people might think it refers to individuals online and elsewhere like here on Tennis-Prose:)
Actually it doesn’t – refers to a few press, not writers, who’ve been purveying these stories for many years in English media.
All innuendo and designed to reduce great players to tabloid trash.
Scoop Malinowski · November 26, 2016 at 8:49 am
Catherine: You have to realize big media is controlled and any sensational story about a top player will come from the outsider media (if it comes out at all) –
catherine bell · November 26, 2016 at 9:53 am
Scoop –
That’s true – what happens over here is that tabloid hacks pick up the stories from people, photographers, hangers-on etc (not mainstream tennis media) and push them in their papers – used to be News of the World until Murdoch closed it, and is now mainly Sun and Daily Mail.
I (and colleagues) used to get called every W’don time to see if I had anything scandal-wise to sell – of course I never did, not having the right contacts etc, and wouldn’t anyway.
However the scandal press over here have been badly burned recently by unfounded stories they have had to pay heavily for – and the good old days when almost anything could be printed have long gone.
The famous punch-up in the W’don press room took place between a tennis reporter and a representative of the Murdoch papers – this led to tighter control of press conferences and extra scrutiny of media passes.
Calmer atmosphere now it’s true but less exciting 🙂
Scoop malinowski · November 26, 2016 at 12:14 pm
Geez. Tennis reporters fighting? Ive never heard of any boxing writers punching each other… Oh except for writer fights at Jack Dempsey training camp in the 1920s whennthe writers would stay at the camp and drink booze and argue boxing at night and of course strong words led to punches flying. But that was a century ago. Surprised to hear tennis media has had physical altercations.
Hartt · November 26, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Catherine, the IPTL announced on twitter that Federer will play for the Indian Aces. Apparently he is scheduled for Dec. 9 and 10 and, depending on how the team does, could also play Dec. 11. Bet ticket sales picked up big time for those matches!
catherine bell · November 26, 2016 at 12:32 pm
Scoop – of course no one fights in press room now – far too genteel 🙂
But those days in the 70s/80s represented the long tail of alcoholic Old Fleet Street – a place fondly recalled by those who survived it. The argument I believe was about John Mc – who else ?
Hartt – hope we don’t get sued for my saying this but I hope participants in the IPTL insist on being paid up-front 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · November 26, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Well Catherine: There was a violent altercation at the US Open final photo pit about ten years ago – before the final two renowned and respected photogs were apparently fighting for position and the one actually leaned over and bit the other in the face on the cheek -Yes this really happened – I never heard once of any boxing photographers having a violent altercation at ringside of a big fight – Only in tennis –
Scoop Malinowski · November 26, 2016 at 7:00 pm
BTW I actually had another tennis dream last night – I was playing Hewitt and I won the first set – I remember two points vividly – baseline rally and I came to net and made two backhand volleys to his forehand and he missed the passing shot up the line -another point I just hit a deep topspin ball slightly off the center of the court and Hewitt tried to hit a forehand up the line but he missed it wide by a foot- I have no idea where the match was but it was on a hard court and it was in a stadium court – I think it was a night match – So I can honestly say I have a win over Hewitt (in my dreams) – Not sure what happened the rest of the match as the dream ended after I won that set 6-4 – 🙂
Hartt · November 26, 2016 at 9:37 pm
Scoop, maybe you can finish the match in your dreams tonight. It’s interesting that you have such detailed and vivid dreams about tennis. I have short snatches of a vague point or two, but that’s it – no idea who the opponent is or the circumstances of the match. (Or at least that’s all I remember.)
catherine bell · November 27, 2016 at 3:27 am
Scoop -photographers can get a bit violent – it’s a macho occupation 🙂
I think you’d better get yourself on to a shrink’s couch asap to discuss your dreams – you’ll be winning W’don next!
Also – read about Keys dumping her coach after what – a year ? Because of off court conflicts – can anyone coach Madison ?
Scoop Malinowski · November 27, 2016 at 8:44 am
Hartt: It’s hard to believe – maybe the lack of Tennis Channel is causing me to produce my own tennis action in my dreams – no dream about tennis last night though –
Scoop Malinowski · November 27, 2016 at 8:48 am
Catherine: I’m going to try to figure these dreams out on my own 🙂 Good for Keys being an alpha female and calling her own shots – If the coach can’t keep up with her then it’s bye bye – that’s the way it should be – every coach should be on the hot seat every hour of every day – Keys should hire Spadea –
Hartt · November 27, 2016 at 10:15 am
Am taking a break from the Davis Cup. Cilic is now up 2 sets-0 over Delpo, so it looks like Argentina will be the bridesmaid yet again.
Have been looking at videos and of course 1 thing leads to another. I came across the Marat Safin interview with Letterman right after Safin won the USO. I’d forgotten how charming he could be. Just 20 years old, speaking in a foreign language and exhausted (he said he’d just had an hour of sleep), Safin more than held his own in the interview.
I also watched the TB between Safin and Federer at the 2004 Masters Cup. The TB was as long as many sets and was very exciting; it was far from clear that Fed would win that match.
Andrew Miller · November 27, 2016 at 1:56 pm
It’s Delbonis-Karlovic for all Davis Cup marbles! Karlovic’s had a great year – Delbonis will have to dig very deep to pull this one off.
Scoop Malinowski · November 27, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Ivo leads the H2H with Delbonis 3-1 and won the last clash in Japan 76 67 76 weeks ago but retired down two sets in Austalia this year – But Delbonis just won the first set and looks fresher and sharper and he’s obviously younger –
Hartt · November 27, 2016 at 3:35 pm
And now Delbonis is up 2 sets and a break! 🙂
Hartt · November 27, 2016 at 3:55 pm
This is one of the many things I love about Davis Cup. A guy who normally flies under the radar plays out of his skull and is the unexpected hero. The powers that be are always fussing about getting the big names to play DC more often. But this incredibly exciting tie shows the big names aren’t necessary to provide excellent matches. I was rooting for Argentina to finally win the Cup but was not very optimistic this morning. So this was a great result!
Scoop Malinowski · November 27, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Congratulations to Argentina for their incredible Davis Cup win today anchored by Del Potro’s win in five sets after being down two sets to love vs Cilic – Delbonis routined Karlovic to achieve the historic victory – shocking that there are such a huge # of Argentina blue and white supporters in Croatia today –
jg · November 27, 2016 at 4:17 pm
and what about Nadal testing out a Head racquet, maybe wants a more flat less loopy stroke, you can catch video of him practicing with it., alternating between his old Babolat and the Head.
catherine bell · November 27, 2016 at 4:18 pm
Scoop – why is it ‘shocking’ ?
Scoop malinowski · November 27, 2016 at 5:26 pm
Catherine: did you see how many Argentine supporters were there today? It looked and sounded almost like it was in Buenos Aires. Huge Argentine contingent in attendance today. May have made the difference.
Scoop malinowski · November 27, 2016 at 5:29 pm
Jg: i saw that video but how are you sure its a Head? Word is the Babolat contract ends in 2017. Head is very good now. Djokovic Murray. I have a neq Graphene Touch and really like it.
Andrew Miller · November 27, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Wow, Argentina wins! I’m amazed Delbonis d. Karlovic in straights – Karlovic has been playing well all year! He must have felt the pressure. Amazing win for Argentina, which erases the 2008 disaster in Mar de Plata, when they lost to Spain led by FLopez and FVerdasco.
Scoop Malinowski · November 27, 2016 at 6:37 pm
Karlovic is prone to choking – last year he lost ten third set tiebreakers in a row – Great player but a little shaky under great duress – plus he was probably a bit tired and stressed having played Friday and having seen Cilic blow the two set lead which had to be horrific for Ivo to it through –
Andrew Miller · November 27, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Scoop, that’s true. Karlovic re-lives his Friday loss to Del Potro through watching the Cilic loss today, then loses to Delbonis. Awful Davis Cup outing for Karlovic. This one will sting because in the count, Karlovic lost the cup for Croatia. Even though I dislike Coric immensely (for putting up sub-par efforts in big tournaments and throwing in the towel often enough – sure he’s young, but why do this), can’t help but believe if Coric were healthy for this tie that he may have helped Croatia out like Nadal did when Nadal stepped in in 2004 and defeated the Spadea-less team, taking out Roddick.
But it was Del Potro’s day. It’s hard to pin this on Karlovic when the real pressure was on Del Potro and Cilic and Del Potro passed the test and Cilic barely didn’t.
catherine bell · November 28, 2016 at 3:15 am
Scoop –
Oh yes – I misunderstood ‘shocking’ – agree the support was truly amazing. Maradona making the trip, no doubt taking fans with him !
Would be great if Davis Cup could inspire some other top players to take part.
I remember in Australia back in the old days the US/Aust tie (they played Challenge round then) was enormous news – only spoiled later by defection of team to pro tennis.
Scoop Malinowski · November 28, 2016 at 7:25 am
Delbonis is the co-hero with Delpo – unforgettable Davis Cup magic was made again -I look for Delbo to be a force in 2017- confidence tank bursting now –
Hartt · November 28, 2016 at 8:03 am
But so often a guy will play the match of his life at Davis Cup and then sink back into relative obscurity. As Argentina’s captain said, Delbonis played a perfect match under huge pressure. But will he bring that level of play to other tourneys? At age 26 he is ranked No. 41, respectable but not great.
It’s interesting that Davis Cup can bring out the best in some players, while others wilt under the pressure. It would be fun to see other times when an unlikely player is the hero.
I can think of 2 immediately. One is Golubev playing for Kazakhstan against Switzerland in 2014. He beat Wawrinka in 4 sets and was part of the doubles team that beat Fed and Stan in 4 sets. It took Fed to restore order in his singles rubber against Golubev (who is currently ranked No. 232).
The other is Frank Dancevic beating Granollers in Canada vs. Spain in 2013. Frank was truly in the zone, it seemed he could not miss, and won that rubber 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. That played a huge role in Canada’s win over the heavily-favoured Spanish team (even without Spain’s best players).
scoopmalinowski · November 28, 2016 at 8:27 pm
No chance of Delbonis fading off into “bolivion” as mike tyson would missay. This guy is a worldbeater now. His best results are to come.
Andrew Miller · November 28, 2016 at 9:15 pm
Oblivion bound. I think he may get a small bump, but Ive never thought of Delbonis as a world beater. But if he puts in a huge offseason like Verdasco did, maybe he has some great tennis beyond one match.
You never know. Tipsy had a nice run, Verdasco had an equally impressive run. It isnt out of the question. He could just as easily be like James Ward of the UK, a Davis Cup superstar who doesnt put up awesome atp results. Delbonis is very good, but it isnt a given.
Now Del Potro put up a huge Hall of Fame result. Id think Del Potro gets a bump. Cilic might too, he has played well this year.
In the we are losing ranking points fast category are the Bryan brothers, who may lose their Davis Cup spots for good next year. I think Captain Courier may cut them in a make or break year for Jim Cpurier as Davis Cup leader.