Category Archives: Players
Five Great Years
Tommy Haas, No.21 As I write, Tommy Haas is losing amiably to Roger Federer at an exhibition in Sao Paulo, although he earlier proved beyond question that he is the Swiss player’s superior as a dancer. He also demonstrated back … Continue reading
The Days Of Our Youth
I must confess I was late in learning to appreciate Juan Carlos Ferrero. I probably only really came to admire him in his career’s long twilight, as a potent combination of injury, illness and a changing game lent the sun-washed … Continue reading
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The Same New Balls
Now that Bernard Tomic has attained twenty years of age – a milestone that was as restrained in its celebration as it was devoid of homoeroticism – there are once again no teenagers ranked within the ATP’s top one hundred, … Continue reading
The Careful American
The location is Rod Laver Arena. The situation is the semifinal of the Australian Open. The year is 2005. The month is January. It was a simpler time, and we all spoke in much shorter sentences. The protagonists are Andy … Continue reading
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Tantalisingly Here
Several hours ago, the clocks in London reached midnight, and Roger Federer commenced his 287th week as the planet’s highest ranked tennis player. As with so much else, he is the only man to have done this. As I write, … Continue reading
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Nothing To Be Done
Munich, First Round (Q) Farah d. (7) Davydenko, 6/3 6/2 Defending champion Nikolay Davydenko yesterday lost to Robert Farah, the Columbian qualifier who last week tore lustily into the Barcelona main draw, and now looks capable of doing the same … Continue reading
Empty, Blissful and Still
The Next Point Enterprises, in conjunction with Hallmark and the South Australian Board of Agriculture, is proud to announce the release of a truly inspirational gift, just in time for Mother’s Day. The Roger Rasheed 2012 Desk Calendar collects, for … Continue reading
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Remembering Gonzo
Fernando Gonzalez – not quite Chile’s most successful player, but arguably its most admired – today announced his retirement from professional tennis, effective following the Miami Masters in April. His last few seasons have been heavily abbreviated by injuries, and … Continue reading
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New Balls (Please)
In the eternal quest for recognition, there is no quality more valuable than to be easily and readily identifiable. This is not a difficult concept, although its ramifications are many, and it is amazing how long it took to catch … Continue reading
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The Match of the Year 2011
Here are my top ten matches for the 2011 season, as I saw them. Lists such as this are inevitably skewed towards the top players, for reasons that should be more or less self-evident. First, the top players are at … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour, Davis Cup, Grand Slams, Players