Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both have different reasons to be inspired to beat the other in today’s semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open – Djokovic is desperate to snap out of his year-long malaise and Nadal does not want to surrender an inch of territory which he has dutifully regained after a couple of subpar years.

It will be the landmark 50th clash between Nadal and Djokovic today with Djokovic leading 26-23 in their legendary FedEx ATP Head2Head series.

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By Johan Kriek

The difference between playing tennis and playing to win…..
If you cannot rally you cannot win….
If you cannot place the rally, you cannot win…
If you do not understand the difference between a deep lob, a loop, a flat ball, a side door shot a topspin and a slice off both wings you cannot win….

Play to win #playtowin

Status:  Former WTA tennis player. Won two WTA singles titles and three doubles titles. Reached a career high ranking of No. 8 in singles in 1985. DOB: October 9, 1967  In: Toronto, Ontario First Tennis Memory:  “Probably in the backyard of my home on the bridal path with a gentleman – I don’t remember his […]

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By Scoop Malinowski

For a few years now I’ve been pondering doing a book about the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy’s vast history. And now the vague embryonic concept has suddenly become much clearer and distinct. Thanks to the man who founded the historic tennis landmark which has so greatly altered and enhanced professional tennis.

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Incredible display of women’s tennis today in Madrid with Eugenie Bouchard prevailing in a vicious contest over rival Maria Sharapova 75 26 64.

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One of the hottest players on the ATP Tour right now is 25 year old American Tennys Sandgren.

The Tennessee native won the Savannah Challenger final today against Juan Sorgi 64 63 for his second Challenger title of the year and third overall.

Sandgren, who names Agassi and Kuerten as his tennis heroes, was a quality junior but never reached the fourth round of a junior Grand Slam though he did achieve an ITF ranking of 9 in the world. He played collegiate tennis at University of Tennessee for two years – reaching the semis of the NCAA singles championship in 2011 (losing to teammate Rhyne Williams in three sets) – before deciding to hit the Tour.

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This week Novak Djokovic has cleaned his coaching house, parting ways with his long-time coach, physio and fitness team members in one devastating swoop. So the big question has emerged…who will the former ATP world no. 1 hire to replace Marian Vajda?

Martina Navratilova: A longshot option for sure, but the legendary lefty knows the sport and could help Djokovic’s attacking game and his motivation issues. Navratilova was able to maintain her playing intensity and fitness through three decades. Navratilova had a failed relation with Aga Radwanska and could be eager to rebuild her lost coaching credibility.

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At the Miami Open I did a quick interview with a reporter from a tennis site about my fifth tennis book “Facing McEnroe”…

Question: What inspired you to write Facing McEnroe?

Scoop Malinowski: “Curiosity to know what is it like to actually play tennis against John McEnroe. We’ve seen the matches live or on TV. I wanted to investigate deeper by talking to the players about their experiences on the tennis courts with John.”

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Status:  ATP no. 11 ranked doubles player.

Ht: 5-11  Wt: 157

DOB: October 16, 1982  In: Capetown, South Africa

First Tennis Memory:  “Watching my parents play league matches back home. That’s where I first saw the game being played. Every Saturday afternoon. Social League. My mom and dad used to play that. I used to be in the stroller out there.”

Tennis Inspirations: “Grew up watching Pete Sampras dominate the game. Really loved the way he played, being graceful, moving forward. My dad (Japie Jacob) has also been a big inspiration for me, always encouraging me to play.”

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                                                                                                                                                     34 yr old ex Australian Open mixed doubles winner Elena Bovina was once ranked 14 in the world in 2005. Bovina turned pro way back in 1998 and has beaten Venus Williams in Moscow 2004, Davenport in Stuttgart 2003, Capriati in Moscow in 2003, Golovin at Roland Garros 2003,  Clijsters  and Coetzer in Toronto, Demenetieva, Myskina, and Coco Vandeweghe in San Diego 2007.

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