Category Archives: ITF
Luck of the Draw: Olympics 2012
The first thing to be said about the draw for the Men’s Singles event at the 2012 London Olympics is that Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have not been drawn in the same half. This is in direct contravention of … Continue reading
Filed under ITF
A Day In The Life
I read the news today (oh boy) about an unlucky man whose knees had failed. And though the news was rather sad, some folks just had to laugh. They posted photographs. It is difficult to convey to the younger generation … Continue reading
Filed under ITF
The Outward Display of Prestige
In the scheme of things, awards ceremonies mean little. That Novak Djokovic won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award tells us nothing about his 2011 season that we didn’t already know, although I suppose more people might now … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour, Grand Slams, ITF
Sizeable Hurdles
Auckland, Final (1) Ferrer d. Rochus, 6/3 6/4 It is a criminal offence to discuss Olivier Rochus without mentioning how tall he isn’t – listen to the commentary accompanying any of his matches for clear proof – so I won’t … Continue reading
Miniature Disco Balls
Hopman Cup, 2012 As a high-profile exhibition tournament conducted a fortnight before the season’s first major, the Hopman Cup juggles the luxury of an invitational draw with the limitations imposed by the high number of alternative, officially-sanctioned events running in … Continue reading
Filed under ITF
Good Clean Fun
‘Watch Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt take on China’s finest, tonight at the Hopman Cup!’ implored my television, via a promo pregnant with subtext. The subtext read that Hewitt is no longer Australia’s finest, and that China’s finest – Wu Di – … Continue reading
Significance without Meaning
Abu Dhabi, Semifinals Djokovic d. Federer, 6/2 6/1 Ferrer d. Nadal, 6/3 6/2 Novak Djokovic today crushed Roger Federer in less than three quarters of an hour. David Ferrer took slightly over an hour to inflict the same treatment on … Continue reading
Filed under ITF
Just an Exhibition
The 2012 tennis season is barely hours old, and no ‘official’ matches have occurred, but already David Ferrer has staged a dogged fightback, Novak Djokovic has won comfortably, while Gael Monfils entertained enormously in posting an inevitable loss. So much … Continue reading
Filed under ITF
Overload
Qatar Open Any hope that Doha might provide a clear form-guide ahead of the Australian Open was frustrated by Rafael Nadal’s illness. The tribal zealots are of course over-analysing it, which is a kind way of saying they’re incapable of … Continue reading
Ponderous Levity
Hopman Cup Murray d. Mahut 7/6 7/6 Lleyton Hewitt was back in the commentary booth last night, and so was ‘tremendous ball striking’. But that wasn’t the strangest thing he said. Invited to analyse his loss to Novak Djokovic – … Continue reading