Sports Illustrated will announce its choice for Sportsman of the Year on Nov. 30. Here's one of the nominations for that honor by an SI writer. Now this was The Greatest Match Ever: All England Club, Gentlemen's final, King Federer vs. The Everyman with the 145 mph serve. After the afternoon shadows had overtaken Centre Court, after the longest fifth set in the history of the tournament was over and the breathtaking four-hour, 16-minute epic had come to an end, Roger Federer put on the white jacket embroidered with the gold 15 like an emperor slipping on his cloak. Federer had won more Grand Slam singles titles than any player in history. Yet, the better story on that July afternoon belonged to the loser, because there had never been a loser that more deserved to win than Andy Roddick at Wimbledon.
I'm sure you're slammed with questions about Andre Agassi's admission of drug use and his lying to the ATP about the reasons for a positive test. Whether he should or shouldn't have written about this aside, what effect does this have on his legacy? This is, after all, a guy with a positive image who we now know probably should have been suspended. -- Nitin Arora, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Are you really equating a couple of sets of exhibition tennis to the demands of a long tour season? -- Henry Brito, Atlanta
Four thoughts from the never-ending drama of the tennis world:
It was predictable that Dinara Safina would struggle at the U.S. Open.
Without any second thoughts, I would say that Jack Kramer was the single most significant figure in the history of his game, tennis.
NEW YORK -- The U.S. Open felt like two separate tournaments. The first was an exciting, spirited 10-day party, played amid ideal conditions. The second was a soggy circus. But in the end, the sun came back out and we were treated to some compelling finals. Herewith, some scattered observations and opinions:
Melanie Oudin, who was swept aside in the U.S. Open tennis quarterfinals after impressive early wins, was philosophical but disappointed Thursday, calling the effort "a good learning experience."
According to the tennis shibboleth: "You can't win a Grand Slam title in Week 1; you can only lose it." Well, Week 1 is over and now it's Showtime at the U.S. Open. Five plotlines to follow over the next seven days:
At a bare minimum, when you've represented Robert Kennedy, Arthur Ashe, Michael Jordan, and Jimmy Connors, among others, you ought to have some good stories. And Donald Dell doesn't disappointment. A well-known figure in the tennis world for being the sport's first agent, helping to found the ATP Tour and serving as a U.S. Davis Cup captain, Dell, 71, mixes practical advice and war stories in his new book, Never Make the First Offer.
Sports Illustrated will announce its choice for Sportsman of the Year on Nov. 30. Here's one of the nominations for that honor by an SI writer. Now this was The Greatest Match Ever: All England Club, Gentlemen's final, King Federer vs. The Everyman with the 145 mph serve. After the afternoon shadows had overtaken Centre Court, after the longest fifth set in the history of the tournament was over and the breathtaking four-hour, 16-minute epic had come to an end, Roger Federer put on the white jacket embroidered with the gold 15 like an emperor slipping on his cloak. Federer had won more Grand Slam singles titles than any player in history. Yet, the better story on that July afternoon belonged to the loser, because there had never been a loser that more deserved to win than Andy Roddick at Wimbledon.
I'm sure you're slammed with questions about Andre Agassi's admission of drug use and his lying to the ATP about the reasons for a positive test. Whether he should or shouldn't have written about this aside, what effect does this have on his legacy? This is, after all, a guy with a positive image who we now know probably should have been suspended. -- Nitin Arora, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Are you really equating a couple of sets of exhibition tennis to the demands of a long tour season? -- Henry Brito, Atlanta
Four thoughts from the never-ending drama of the tennis world:
It was predictable that Dinara Safina would struggle at the U.S. Open.
Without any second thoughts, I would say that Jack Kramer was the single most significant figure in the history of his game, tennis.
NEW YORK -- The U.S. Open felt like two separate tournaments. The first was an exciting, spirited 10-day party, played amid ideal conditions. The second was a soggy circus. But in the end, the sun came back out and we were treated to some compelling finals. Herewith, some scattered observations and opinions:
Melanie Oudin, who was swept aside in the U.S. Open tennis quarterfinals after impressive early wins, was philosophical but disappointed Thursday, calling the effort "a good learning experience."
According to the tennis shibboleth: "You can't win a Grand Slam title in Week 1; you can only lose it." Well, Week 1 is over and now it's Showtime at the U.S. Open. Five plotlines to follow over the next seven days:
At a bare minimum, when you've represented Robert Kennedy, Arthur Ashe, Michael Jordan, and Jimmy Connors, among others, you ought to have some good stories. And Donald Dell doesn't disappointment. A well-known figure in the tennis world for being the sport's first agent, helping to found the ATP Tour and serving as a U.S. Davis Cup captain, Dell, 71, mixes practical advice and war stories in his new book, Never Make the First Offer.
Maybe Andy Roddick hasn't recovered as well as we all think from his loss at Wimbledon. Look at the losses he has had since then. He lost two tight matches to Juan Martin del Potro, in Washington, D.C., and Montreal. I think the one in D.C. ended in a third-set tiebreak. He lost to Sam Querrey in Cincinnati in two tiebreak sets and now to John Isner in a fifth-set tiebreak. I get the feeling when things get close in the end, he just doesn't have the confidence to pull it out. What do you think of his losses? -- Beth D., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Grades for the 2009 U.S. Open after six days:
SI.com's Jon Wertheim breaks down the men's and women's seeds at the U.S. Open. Read on for the top first-round matchups, dark horses to watch and his predicted winners.
A 'bag before the big dance (and we don't mean this).
Instead of the Ad-In, Ad-Out format, we're going to try something new on Monday, a "best-of-three" recap of the week plus other random thoughts:
This time last year, Vera Zvonareva was playing her way to the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics. Now she is ranked No. 7 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, and gaining strength after an ankle injury earlier this season. In a recent interview with SI.com, the 24-year-old Moscow native discussed her thoughts on the success of Russian women, her experience as a ball girl and her other life as a student of international affairs.
I am a Roger Federer fan, but it gets harder to support him after postmatch interviews where he bashes his opponents and fails to credit them with good play. Case in point: the interview after his loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Rogers Cup. Federer choked, and Tsonga stepped it up. Enough said. At what point does greatness turn into arrogance? -- Jose, San Antonio
Since advancing to the fourth round at Wimbledon in late June, Melanie Oudin of Marietta, Ga., has continued her rise to a career-high ranking of No. 68 on the Sony Ericcson WTA Tour. In a recent interview with SI.com, the 17-year-old discussed life as a qualifier, her decision to be home-schooled and her views on grunting.
1. Wimbledon I don't remember my first brush with Wimbledon, but my mom does. I was 3 years old in the summer of 1975 when Arthur Ashe defeated Jimmy Connors in the men's final, a moment that she celebrated by picking me up, holding me in front of the television and telling me, "He looks like you! He looks like you!" This was my mom's way of telling me that anything in life was possible -- that I, too, could grow up and do anything I wanted. She was right. I wonder what it would be like to sit at Centre Court and see the grass and watch Federer, Nadal and the Williams sisters. I'm sure I would think about Arthur Ashe. I'm sure my mom would, too.
The grassroots renaissance of tennis in the United States was the subject of an Associated Press feature that appeared online and in many newspaper sports sections over the weekend. The story argues, among other things, that "today's dearth of top American professionals" hasn't curtailed the sport's post-2000 growth:
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when the popularity of the WTA Tour rivaled its men's counterpart, when stars like the then-up-and-coming Williams sisters held court with Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Jennifer Capriati, Monica Seles, Justine Henin, Mary Pierce and, yes, Anna Kournikova.
While the 16 remaining players in the men's draw competed at Wimbledon on June 29, Richard Gasquet was a few miles from the All England Club, fighting for his career at a tribunal hearing. Three months earlier, the French player had tested positive for cocaine, triggering a two-year ban under the World Anti-Doping Agency code. In a sport with no guaranteed contracts and a short career shelf life, this was, potentially, akin to a professional death sentence.
It's always struck me as shabby when a commentator or columnist ignites controversy and then slips away like Laura Dern in the last scene of Citizen Ruth. Last week, I took issue with Roger Federer's Wimbledon attire -- and, more specifically, the Nike taste-makers who determined Federer's dignity and humility required more edge.
It's always struck me as shabby when a commentator or columnist ignites controversy and then slips away like Laura Dern in the last scene of Citizen Ruth. Last week, I took issue with Roger Federer's Wimbledon attire -- and, more specifically, the Nike taste-makers who determined Federer's dignity and humility required more edge. The responses, pro and con, were as intense as they were numerous.
While mourning Mathieu Montcourt and thinking how downright creepy it is that two players penalized recently by the ATP for petty gambling infractions --Federico Luzzi is the other -- have died ...
Eddie: You can't compare Mathis to Sinatra. There's no way. No way. They're in totally different leagues.
Andy Roddick had just taken the first set from Roger Federer in Sunday's Wimbledon final, inducing roars from the Centre Court spectators, when my wife-to-be posed a perfectly sincere question.
The Wimbledon grass has always been a bit of a yoga mat for Roger Federer, who routinely moves around Centre Court at mental and physical ease while his more bruiser-like counterparts clip-clop on its blades.
Some scattered thoughts on a historic Wimbledon ...
So, Roger Federer has passed Pete Sampras, which means I now will make a statement -- of somewhat sound mind, with a good night's rest behind me -- that is inarguable, indisputable and incontrovertible:
Four things we learned while watching the all-American women's final at the All England Club on Independence Day ...
This is our last "crumpet" for Wimbledon 2009. Time to do magazine work (though I'll continue periodic tweeting and podcasting). If you'd like, you could read this tomorrow; think of it as tape-delay. Thanks to everyone who wrote in. We'll be back Sunday with a Wimbledon wrap-up!
WIMBLEDON, England -- While marveling at Venus Williams's play on grass....
A total of 28 staff at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships have been asked to stay at home with suspected swine flu.
Two years are tattooed on the English sports consciousness like scarlet letters of anguish and self-pity. One is 1966, the first and only time the Three Lions hoisted the World Cup. The other is 1937, the last time a British player won at Wimbledon.
WIMBLEDON, England -- Here's a Monday baguette, or, as reader Art Wong suggests we call it during Wimbledon, "a crumpet." While wondering what Roger Federer is making of the prospect of facing Ivo Karlovic...
Rafael Nadal, the defending champion, stayed away from Wimbledon. Which gives him something in common with the rain. You remember, the Wimbledon rain, right? Wet stuff ... fell from the sky ... constantly disrupted play. The only umbrellas unfurled last week were used to repel the sun. And that may have been the biggest upset of Week 1. Herewith, our midterm grades:
While raising an eyebrow at Novak Djokovic's play today...
From the book, STROKES OF GENIUS: Federer, Nadal, and the Greatest Match Ever Played, by L. Jon Wertheim. Copyright © 2009 by L. Jon Wertheim. Published by arrangement with Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
This story appears in the April 13, 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated
Former No. 1 player Kim Clijsters announces she's coming out of retirement
For obvious reasons, L'Affaire Shahar Peer and the aftermath dominated the questions last week. I'm thinking the most efficient way to do this is take a few of the recurrent themes in order:
In July 2008, a month before China grabbed the sporting headlines for the Beijing Olympics, Zheng Jie made her own bit of sporting history for China.
The UAE denies Shahar Peer, an Israeli, a visa to play in a joint WTA/ATP tournament, when she was placed in the main draw. What does this mean for the future of tennis in this region? What is the appropriate response for the WTA and the other players? There can be little tolerance for this kind of behavior, right? -- Aaron Mayfield, Chicago
I know how Roger Federer feels. For years, I could not beat Priest Holmes in chess. You might remember Holmes, the star running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, the guy who led the NFL in rushing in 2001, the guy who seemed to score three or four touchdowns every week when you were playing against him in fantasy football. We had a weekly chess match for a while.
Some scattered thoughts on the heels of another Australian Open:
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have battled for tennis supremacy on the clay and grass courts of the French Open and Wimbledon for three years. On Sunday, their rivalry will break new ground when they meet on a hard court for the Australian Open title.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have battled for tennis supremacy on the clay and grass courts of the French Open and Wimbledon for three years. On Sunday, their rivalry will break new ground when they meet for the Australian Open title on a hard court. A few thoughts:
Jelena Jankovic is making a reputation for herself as one of the hardest working women in tennis.
With regard to the Slams, it has been argued that players are least fit coming into the Australian Open, because they are not as match-tough after the 'offseason'. Bearing that in mind, why does the year start with possibly the most grueling Slam (in terms of playing conditions)? -- Stephen Males, Devonshire, Bermuda
Can Jelena Dokic become the dominant player the women's tour is looking for? (And regardless of the answer -- how wonderful is it to see someone who used to be the epitome of misery so thoroughly enjoying herself?) -- Deborah, Como, N.S.W.
I know you'll never touch this question but here's nothing. Serena said: Being a Jehovah's Witness kept her from voting in the election, but didn't prevent her from watching Barack Obama's campaign and victory. "I try to stay politically neutral, don't get involved in worldly matters," she said. "For me, because I am black, seeing that happen, I would be blind if I didn't take interest in it or I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in what was going on. Obviously I am." As an African-American, I'm curious as to whether winning slams and other tennis tournaments is somehow religious or unworldly? My point is that she and her sister set a poor example for young kids. Voting is ungodly but chasing Slams isn't? Your opinion? -- Ray Vinson, Hampton,Va.
Now that Andy Murray has beaten Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal back to back, can we officially declare that the quadrumvirate era has finally arrived in the ATP?
Our guest today is widely regarded as the greatest player ever to set foot on the tennis court. He's Roger Federer, I'm Anjali Rao, and this is Talk Asia.
1. Where does the Nadal-Federer passion play go from here? You'd be hard-pressed to name a more gripping and textured rivalry in professional sports. One versus two. Lefty versus righty. Grit versus polish. Nouveau versus classic. Will versus Grace, as it were. In 2008, Nadal beat Federer all four times they met --including their spellbinding Wimbledon final -- and assumed the No. l ranking in the process. Yet Federer recovered and enter 2009 within a single Major title of tying Pete Sampras' record. So long as both remain healthy, Rafa-Roger the best theater in tennis, no matter what happens.
It was the match of the year. It was the match of the decade. It was, one could certainly make a credible case, the greatest match in tennis history. On the first Sunday in July, Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4. 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 in the finals of Wimbledon, the most important match of the most important tournament.
The most amazing thing I saw in this most amazing sports year was not especially important or historic or even decisive. No one won a medal at the end of it, no trophy, no championship, no world record. There were no playbooks involved, no chalkboards, no swimsuits, no balls, no bats, no clubs, no rackets. The man who performed the miracle was only doing what every child does, and at the end of it he seemed utterly unimpressed with himself. He would become world famous, but that was later.
Tennis star Venus Williams is a six-time Grand Slam winner with possibly the fastest serve ever seen in the women's game. With the Australian Open under way, CNN's Anjali Rao sits down with Williams as she discusses her current No. 8 world ranking, growing up in a tough Los Angeles neighborhood, her rigorous training schedule and close relationship with fellow pro and sister Serena.
Few folks are likely to describe 2008 as a gilded year. Oh, for the days, when "bailout" was something done to a wayward rowboat, homes were worth more than mortgages, and Iceland was best known as a quirky (and solvent) vacation destination. Fortunately, tennis was there to provide us with diverting entertainment and some welcome escapism. The sport up to its usual tricks this year, serving up jarring plot twists (Justine Henin, the top WTA player, abruptly retiring), relentless melodrama, and enough mutually destructive in-fighting and finger-pointing to shame the post-election McCain and Palin camps.
Exhibitions during the offseason are a double-edged sword, no matter how you look at them. You answered a question about players complaining of the long season, yet booking numerous exhibitions during the offseason. While I lean towards the argument of players losing credibility for this phenomenon, I have to think they are acting partially as ambassadors of the sport and taking the sport (and themselves) to places that have little tennis exposure. -- J. Duncan, Flagstaff, Ariz.
I used to think this notion was controversial and didn't want to submit it for fear of being ridiculed, but I think the time has finally come: Jelena Jankovic is a better No. 1 than Ana Ivanovic. Here's a few reasons why.
So, somewhat inebriated conversation with a friend: "Top 5 All Time On-Court Headcases (Men), Sans McEnroe." In no particular order, and somewhat relegated to our generational recollection: Nastase, Youzhny, Slobodan Zivojinovic, Ivanisevic, Safin (others in consideration --Gasquet, Noah). Is it just us, or is there really an European slant to this? Who'd we miss? -- Anirban Mukherjee, Durham, N.C.
What do you make of Roger Federer's withdrawal from Stockholm (citing fatigue) and, more importantly, his possible closing of the door on the remainder of his 2008 season (per his noncommital, vague press release)?
As someone who covers a variety of other sports, how do think tennis players stack up as far as athletes? -- John, Hong Kong
NEW YORK -- With the match over, gamesmanship moved to the fore.
NEW YORK -- Feted as the four-time and defending U.S. Open champion throughout the duration of his American fortnight, Roger Federer returned to the site of his past glories Monday evening.
Will you do an Olympics Mailbag? If no, then why? -- George, Auburn
Your latest mailbag really does scale unprecedented heights of xenophobia . Quite on top of your gloating about the downgrading of Hamburg (only the biggest tournament in a country that has given tennis Boris Becker and Steffi Graf) in favor of umpteen cookie-cutter events in the U.S., you then jump into the realms of total hysteria with your comments about the Olympics and the "U.S. Open Series." I am sure you are the only person on the planet who thinks the Olympic Games should defer to the Series, after all it really can't compare with the Series on prestige and longevity, can it? -- John Thompson, United Kingdom
Michael Phelps may rule the American sports universe for these Olympics, but in China, ask local fans who they're supporting and you'll start hearing names like Lin Dan (badminton), Zhang Yining (table tennis) and Zhao Ruirui (volleyball).
Maria Sharapova will miss the U.S. Open because of a bad right shoulder
Federer or Nadal, who's your pick at the U.S. Open? -- Chas, New York
An unconditional Roger fan, I also felt crushed. Still I was able to come up with the following positives: 1) What Rafa did to win the match was extra-terrestrial and such a performance must be rewarded; 2) Roger is more rational than I am in interpreting the meaning of his wins and his losses; 3) Roger is not Justine, he will not disappear because the competition fundamentally suits his body and his mind. -- Barbara Katzenberg Lexington, MA
That was unquestionably one of the greatest tennis matches I have ever witnessed. But let's digest it a little bit and let the heat of the moment pass before we dub it "the greatest of all time." This one had a lot at stake, with a lot of underlying stories attached to it on the most prestigious stage in all of the sport. But I'm not ready to dismiss Agassi-Blake in the 2005 Open quarters just because we saw a match of its equal. -- Steve, New York, NY
Cleaning out the Wimbledon notebook while still in awe of that final.
The Wimbledon champ says her most challenging opponent is also her inspiration
The stylish couple went courtside to root for pal Roger Federer – but to no avail
The emotional impact of Nadal's victory over Swiss champion Federer, as seen by TIME's reporter at the Centre Court
Five things we learned from women's final Saturday at Wimbledon:
For Wertheim's audio roundup of today's matches, click here or scroll down below.
For Wertheim's audio roundup of today's matches, click here or scroll down below.
Five years since their last title matchup, the Williams sisters are back in the Wimbledon final with another Grand Slam championship -- and family bragging rights -- at stake
For Wertheim's audio roundup of today's matches, click here or scroll down below.
Hi Jon. How do the Wimbledon organizers decide the schedule of play? Specifically, what are their criteria for selecting who will play on Centre Court or Court 1? I ask this because it seems a little disrespectful to make Venus and Serena (who have six Wimbledon trophies between them) play on Court 2, while Kuznetsova-Radwanska and Vaidisova-Chakvetadze get to play on Centre Court and Court 1, respectively. These four have never gotten past the quarters at Wimbledon, and don't exactly generate the amount of interest that Venus and Serena do. So if it's not past performance or popularity, what is it? -- Nancy Ng, Montreal
After six days of play, here are our midterm grades from the 2008 version of Wimbledon:
If Nadal went straight from Paris to Wimbledon, skipped any grass court warm-ups, and lost to Ivan Navarro (ATP #133) or Joseph Sirianni (ATP #154), you would question his judgement ... I hope. Same for Ivanovic and Sharapova? -- Gerry Gollin, Redlands, CA
Maria Sharapova and James Blake both lost. Then Andy Roddick gets upset by Janko Tipsaervic. This is supposed to happen on clay but not grass! What the heck happened today? -- Justin, N.Y.
Not to take anything away from Safin, but all that smack Djokovic said about Federer seems quite anti-climatic when he loses in the second round. You think he's blushing in embarrassment right now? -- Jeff K, Foster City, Calif.
Hey, is it just me or does it seem like there have been approximately 350 "retirements" in this year's Wimbledon over the first two days? It's looking like Del Boca Vista at Wimby with all the retirees.
An opening day baguette. I'll try and patch one of these together every day for the next two weeks:
The world's oldest tennis tournament retains many of the same customs and quirks 131 years after it was first staged. It's the only Grand Slam event still played on grass, despite perennial moans from the clay- and hard-court specialists who struggle to adjust. Players--who are always referred to as "gentlemen" and "ladies"--must wear predominantly white, and the courts are unsullied by conspicuous corporate logos.
Hi everyone, check back in a few days for a Wimbledon seed report.
Let's start with the fallout from the men's final in Paris. There were a lot of questions about the Nadal-Federer match and its consequences. In the interest of economy, I'll condense to five thoughts.
PARIS -- Ana Ivanovic will be the new No. 1 player on the Sony Ericcson WTA Tour on Monday, and it'll only be a matter of time until she's a household name in the United States. Ivanovic has the rare combination of beauty and skill that translates on and off the court. She has the work ethic and credibility to ward off the inevitable comparisons that will be made with other over-marketed female stars and the legitimate appeal to attract everyone from fans to sponsors alike.
Five thoughts from the women's final at Roland Garros.
Like skid marks at a crash site, tracks in the clay told the story of the 2008 French Open. Want to know why Rafael Nadal won his fourth straight title, humiliating Roger Federer in the final? All you had to do was look at the court. It was streaked and slashed, indicating the lengths Nadal had raced to retrieve balls. Forward, back, at odd angles, into the courtside geranium boxes.
Cleaning out the notebook after a rollicking French Open. Herewith, 50 thoughts and observations from Paris.
Five things we learned from Friday's two semifinals at Roland Garros:
Checking in from Paris with the Thursday Baguette. But before getting to your questions, here's a brief audio refresher of today's happenings around Roland Garros:
The tennis champ will only admit about the rapper, "I think he's a great guy"
A jet-lagged Baguette to start Week Two:
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