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Love ‘em or hate ‘em, and I do a lot of both, the Williams Sisters are back. The one thing I was certain of before the tournament began was that I was done with Venus and Serena. In years past I always anticipated their returns because I knew they would bring controversy, great drama and […]
September 10, 2009
Melanie Oudin did not cry on court after her quarterfinal loss to Caroline Wozniacki. That is a positive sign. It shows strength, it shows resolve, it reminds one of the steeliness of Chris Evert. It will make her work harder. But that’s not the main reason I think not advancing to the semis and final […]
September 8, 2009
This was before the US Open in a promotional event at Bryant Park. The other players are John McEnroe and Murphy Jensen; thankfully we don’t see much of them dancing. I was expecting Venus to start breakdancing any second. Serena, come on, some of those moves are almost as bad as mine. Was that inspired by Riverdance […]
September 8, 2009
I haven’t spent much time reading tennis media this tournament, so I figured it was high time I did a little policing to see how things are going. First, the Good. I don’t know who Chris Chase of Yahoo Sports is, but I’m following him now. Here’s Chase on Zvonareva’s classic meltdown: After blowing six […]
September 7, 2009
1. Roger’s hypothetical faux-slam. Seriously people, he hasn’t won three in a row yet, but you’re already hyping him up for Australia and four in a row, which is being called the completion of a Grand Slam? Some nerve. Martina Navratilova completed the faux-slam but didn’t get credit for it… because it isn’t a grand […]
September 7, 2009
And Sports Illustrated’s Jon L. Wertheim said it, by Tweets, no less! Jonstennistweets: clijsters woodshedding venus….comeback to comeabout 7 hours ago from webJonstennistweets: we;ll say it again: what wta lacks in clean tennis, it makes up for in drama. this clijsters-venus match is nuts… about 7 hours ago from web Perfect example…a classic match? No. Entertaining. […]
September 6, 2009
Melanie Oudin has a legitimate chance to make the top ten. Notice I didn’t say she would win grand slam titles or become #1. It is far, far to soon for anyone to make those predictions. So media people, just calm down! For now focus on one key component of this story: at 17, Oudin’s […]
September 3, 2009
Is there anyone in the women’s tournament who can beat Serena Williams when she plays like she did tonight? No. We’ve grown accustomed to watching Serena meander through the early rounds, even when she’s having an “on” year. She rarely plays her best when she isn’t pushed. Not tonight though. This was Serena at her […]
August 31, 2009
Rumor has it that Justine Henin will return to competitive tennis in January. Do I feel the need to qualify my headline with a hedge? Uhm.. Hell no! I told you in January this day would come. I felt it even more when Serena started dominating the slams. And when Kim Clijsters returned three weeks […]
June 30, 2009
Too Ugly? “Looks Are A Factor” Sexism never quite goes out of style at SW19 does it? They’re still dragging their feet on equal prize money and now they’ve admitted to scheduling hot chicks for center court, regardless of whether they are any good. The Daily Mail reports: And last night, the All England Club […]
May 28, 2009
ESPN’s tennis coverage is generally excellent. (Though as yet unrated for the 09 French) ESPN’s tennis writers are mediocre to good. (That they all write for tennis magazine isn’t a great sign, is it?) ESPN’s headline writers have always been pretty bad. Wednesday’s bad headlines on Sharapova deserve comment because they don’t give her […]
February 23, 2009
While we were wringing our hands over Dubai last week, actual tennis was being played. In Dubai, the tournament that never should have happened, Venus beat Serena in a 7-6 third-set tiebreaker and then defeated Virginia Razzano in the final. This is the first time Venus has been back in the top 5 in 5 […]
February 18, 2009
The one person on the women’s tour who has leadership potential is Venus Williams. She has been a fantastic advocate for equal prize money – the best and most articulate voice on the issue since Billie Jean King. She is the only top player regularly involved in tour issues. So it is a bit disappointing […]
February 17, 2009
In an outrageous move, Dubai is blaming Israeli Shahar Peer for the UAE’s decision to bar her from entering the country. See, their “security” is at stake. “We do not wish to politicize sports, but we have to be sensitive to recent events in the region and not alienate or put at risk the players […]
February 17, 2009
And the recriminations are starting to roll in for the WTA. Kudos to the Tennis Channel for pulling the plug on its planned tv coverage of the women’s tennis event that started today in Dubai. Attention Larry Scott, this is what the CEO of the Tennis Channel had to say about its decision. “This is […]
February 17, 2009
The #48 player in the world, Israeli Shahar Peer, was denied a visa by the United Arab Emirates, effectively prohibiting her from playing the tournament in Dubai. The UAE only allows Israelis with dual citizenship to enter the country. Yeah, we know what that’s all about don’t we? WTA Tour president Larry Scott issued a […]
January 28, 2009
I feel a little guilty paying tribute to Elena Demetieva because usually when I do this right before a big match, it’s the kiss of death. But Lena plays Serena in the semifinals, so she is the underdog anyway. Lena Dementieva is one of the most underrated players and human beings on the tour today. […]
January 28, 2009
A.O. Lacks a Coherent Policy on Extreme Heat I am a traditionalist when it comes to tennis and Mother Nature. Cold, hot, dry, humid, wind, snow, whatever. You play. It’s a great test. I don’t like indoor tennis because tennis wasn’t meant to be played in perfect conditions. It’s like watching football in a dome. […]
January 25, 2009
Above: tennis fans rejoice after Dokic victory. Jelena Dokic continues to be the best story on the women’s side. She’s into the quarters after a three-set thriller over Alisa Kleybanova 7-5 5-7 8-6. This reminds me of Jennifer Capriati’s stunning victory in the AO. Even though Capriati spent years out of tennis, I was confident […]
January 25, 2009
She’s either practicing that beautiful backhand or…. Pounding her head against the coffee table after watching another crew of D-list tennis players contending for the Australian Open title she could win without breaking a sweat. Also on Justine’s mind: “Ivanovic and Jankovic? Those two covergirl mental midgets make Kim Clijsters look like Chris Evert. Why […]
January 13, 2009
Myths and legends die hard in America…Weird heroes and mould-breaking champions exist as living proof to those who need it that the tyranny of the rat race is not yet final. ~ Hunter S. Thompson American sports journalists are firm proponents of two myths from the last decade of the Twentieth Century: that college football […]
July 6, 2008
This poster and other Demotivators and Despairwear can be found at despiar.com. Hang one in your office today.There was a lot of hot air in the atmosphere after the Williams sisters played a very good final. The Dodo was at it, calling it the best match he’s ever witnessed. What? Is he fucking nuts? Was […]
January 22, 2008
I see we’ve settled into a fairly typical women’s match, circa 2008: Deuce, deuce, deuce. Error, error, error. Grunt, scream, grunt, scream, grunt, scream. Real injury? Fake injury? Real injury? Fake injury. Drama.
Passing Shots 
June 24, 2011
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