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.
A few thoughts as the season comes to an end ...
WTHIGOW Melanie Oudin? -- Tom, Riverwoods, Ill.
SI.com caught up with senior writer Jon Wertheim to discuss the contents of Andre Agassi's autobiography, Open.
The man who dethroned Roger Federer brings a fascinating background to the tennis world
NEW YORK -- SI.com caught up with Sports Illustrated senior writer Jon Wertheim after Juan Martin del Potro defeated Roger Federer to win the U.S. Open men's final 3-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2.
SI.com caught up with Sports Illustrated senior writer S.L. Price, who is covering the U.S. Open in New York, after the men's semifinals Sunday. Top-seeded and five-time defending champion Roger Federer will play sixth-seeded and first-time Grand slam finalist Juan Martin del Potro for the title at 4 p.m. ET Monday.
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:
Daughters Charlene and Myla arrived Thursday night in Switzerland, the tennis star announces
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.
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.
A few thoughts as the season comes to an end ...
WTHIGOW Melanie Oudin? -- Tom, Riverwoods, Ill.
SI.com caught up with senior writer Jon Wertheim to discuss the contents of Andre Agassi's autobiography, Open.
The man who dethroned Roger Federer brings a fascinating background to the tennis world
NEW YORK -- SI.com caught up with Sports Illustrated senior writer Jon Wertheim after Juan Martin del Potro defeated Roger Federer to win the U.S. Open men's final 3-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2.
SI.com caught up with Sports Illustrated senior writer S.L. Price, who is covering the U.S. Open in New York, after the men's semifinals Sunday. Top-seeded and five-time defending champion Roger Federer will play sixth-seeded and first-time Grand slam finalist Juan Martin del Potro for the title at 4 p.m. ET Monday.
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:
Daughters Charlene and Myla arrived Thursday night in Switzerland, the tennis star announces
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.
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:
What did you make of the matches on HBO? And how much should we read into the results? One never knows how hard the players are playing, does one? -- Barry, Arizona
Five things we learned from the Australian Open men's final while most of America slept:
He stands 6' 1", weighs 185 pounds and can send a tennis ball pretty much anywhere he pleases. He's won on a variety of surfaces, collecting Grand Slam singles titles at a breakneck pace. He projects professionalism and grace and a distinctly European dignity. For all his success, he remains modest and grounded, uninterested in the usual trappings of modern celebrity, attracting attention only with his play.
• WERTHEIM: Dementieva looking to make long run
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.
What we saw Saturday in the heavyweight title fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Hasim Rahman was a clinical dismantling.
Check back next week for our annual Baggie Awards ...
While I agree that Rafa Nadal's decision not to play in Shanghai might require some re-thinking about the year round schedule, don't you think it is also a reflection that the Davis Cup is very much alive outside the U.S., and that Rafa does not want to award Argentina any advantage. It seemed Rafa and Ferrer were going to have the tough time adapting from China to Argentina, now it is only the unlikely Del Potro. -- Marcos Clutterbuck, Buenos Aires, Argentina
For Wertheim's audio roundup of today's matches, click here or scroll down below.
As I write this, I'm 40,000 miles above ground hitching a ride on a private plane with tennis legend Pete Sampras. We're headed to Boston, where he'll be competing in the Outback Champions Series, and I'll be covering the tournament for television.
What's going on with Roger Federer? -- Dallia, Sudan/Egypt
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- A trend of contradicting columns is emerging between my colleague, Jon Wertheim, and me. We disagreed with the state of Andy Roddick's game and character two weeks ago. This week, I take an opposing view on the health and state of tennis.
Just exactly who says that tennis is "struggling?" I'm getting sick of hearing about it.
Wanted to see what I could do, if anything, to lighten your workload:
NEW YORK -- It was a night where the old building in New York, which bills itself as the most famous arena of all, lived up to its billing.
I just heard Roger Federer went out to Andy Murray in the first round in Dubai. Question: Is it because Roger doesn't have enough match play? Is he on a slip, which is normal considering you can't stay at No. 1 forever? I seem to think both. I also think Roger wouldn't mind doing well against Pete Sampras on March 10. A tired Federer wouldn't do the trick. I miss him winning, though. And I hope he finds a way to win the French. -- Adrienne Kostal, Bethel Park, Pa.
Bad news for Andy Roddick if he has to resort to blatant intimidation to win a match over an 18-year-old newcomer. Admitting that you're purposely trying to use gamesmanship is completely bush league. I'd expect that from the USTA league players on the weekend, but not a top pro. -- Patrick Preston, Lexington, Ky.
It's been nearly two weeks, but the sports world is still buzzing over the Giants' last-minute victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Eli Manning's third-down conversion to David Tyree has become the latest play talked about around the water cooler. How did Manning get away from those massive Patriot linemen, pass the ball to a tightly covered Tyree, who then somehow leaped into the air, grabbed the football with his fingertips, and managed to come down with it, all while juggling it off his helmet? Was it just phenomenal athleticism or just luck? Or maybe, in that enclosed stadium on a rainy afternoon in Arizona, it was their destiny.
MELBOURNE, Australia -- I snuck out to the indoor practice facility at Melbourne Park Tuesday during a break in my commentating responsibilities for the Tennis Channel when, of all people, Roger Federer was finishing up on my court. Typically, the greatest player of all-time was using his off-day to hit tennis balls.
Hear the one about the tennis off-season? It fell on a Tuesday this year.
For professional tennis players, December is the rarest of opportunities to rest and regroup after a grueling 11-month season. You'd think most of us would be lying on a beach somewhere in the Caribbean, sipping margaritas. But you'd be dead wrong.
I suggest the title for this week's mailbag be simply "Nalbandian." A couple months ago, we were raining praise on Novak Djokovic for accomplishing an amazing feat when he beat David Nalbandian, Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer consecutively to win the Rogers Cup.
The moment of consolation came late at the 2007 U.S. Open, but it was not for Roger Federer's latest victim. This one was for the crowd, for the 25,230 unsuspecting fans who had come to Flushing Meadows to take in a New York spectacle, watch some tennis and overpay for food and drink, and who suddenly found themselves lacking. This one was for those who'd tracked Federer's elegant ride into history for the last two weeks, who'd seen him rise to every challenge with otherworldly calm and brush aside all comers like lint off a lapel.
NEW YORK -- While their global campaign for Gillette may revolve around beauty, the relationship between Roger Federer, Thierry Henry and Tiger Woods clearly isn't skin deep. Among the 40 text messages Federer received following his fourth consecutive U.S. Open victory were from sports supernova pals Henry and Woods.
As the U.S. Open gets under way, a few tips on how to have a chance at upsetting the three-time defending champ
As American tennis fans, we've been spoiled by the long line of men's champions our country has produced. But it's been awhile since one of our own has broken through -- the last American Grand Slam champ was Andy Roddick at the U.S. Open in 2003.
The most withdrawn phrase in professional sports is "I'm retiring." It's so common for an elite athlete to come back to the arena that brought him glory that it's almost more expected now than a surprise.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- In-your-face, obnoxious fans applauding double faults by the visiting team. Live DJs spinning music, emcees on the microphone, players dancing in between points while fans do the same in the stands. Popcorn, hot dogs, beer and soft pretzels fill the concession stands.
A quick Baguette while waiting out the rain. ...
Your thoughts on Roger Federer's split from his coach? I say good! -- Natasha, Toronto
A Mailbag as Pete Sampras returns to the tennis forefront:
That's twice in a row now that Guillermo Cañas has mowed down Roger Federer, and the Argentine has blazed a trail through the rest of the Sony Ericsson Open field in the process. But let's get a few things straight before we declare Cañas as the player who will keep Federer from achieving Pete Sampras' records and "Greatest Player Ever" title.
David Cannon/Getty ImagesTiger Woods invited Roger Federer to join him inside the ropes at Doral on Wednesday. MIAMI (AP) -Tiger Woods and Roger Federer go about their business in different ways.
I suppose you are crowing now that Wimbledon has capitulated to the ridiculous claim by women tennis players for equal pay for less work? Where is the backbone of the men in the ATP who agree to play longer hours for the same pay? Where, pray tell, is the equality? Why not just have one championship open to all players regardless of gender? -- Al Ferg, Sherbrooke
Last week Sports Illustrated writer Richard Deitsch interviewed Pete Sampras for the magazine's Q&A. The 35-year-old Hall of Fame tennis player will compete in the Outback Champions Series, an over-30 tour, in Boston from May 2-6. In July he will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I. Here are additional excerpts from their conversation.
Everyone contemplates how another Pete Sampras vs. Roger Federer match would run (including Sampras) except Federer! Everyone's intrigued, Sampras thinks he would hold his own. But when we talk about it, we discuss it as if Sampras were dead and the match is beyond the realm of possibility! He's only 35! Theoretically, this hypothetical can be made a reality very easily, no? Why hasn't anyone suggested they play an exhibition? -- Brad Uy, Honolulu, Hawaii
1. The Colts touched down in Miami on Monday night. They weren't talking about the health of Peyton Manning's swollen thumb, but it might not have been a good sign that it barely fit in the overhead compartment.
We lead off with a multiple-choice quiz from Jamie Prenkert of Bloomington, Ind.:
Do you think Rafa Nadal's career may follow a similar arc to Jim Courier's? Both made their names by imposing their gritty, physical games on opponents. This led to early success for both, especially at Roland Garros. But Courier's career peaked early as other players began to figure out how to play (and beat) him. It appears that Nadal is in a similar situation. Maybe I should wait until after the clay season to make this metaphor, but after his loss to Xavier Malisse, Rafa looks to have lost some momentum. -- Jay Lassiter, Philadephia
Have you wondered why some people get all the breaks? It's not that they were born under a lucky star, but they seize opportunity when they see it.
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