Ash Barty is retired, Novak is back and the Russians are still banned at Wimbledon. Storylines at the Slams are forever changing; making Melbourne seem light years ago, yet the French Open is days away. Continue reading French Open Preview 2022
Tag Archives: Rafa
Australian Open Mens Final Preview 2022
Rafa Nadal is on the verge of winning his 21st Grand Slam title, but there’s a 25-year-old Russian Danill Medvedev who stands in the way. This is a final that isn’t much of a surprise. In the top half I thought Zverev was really the only player capable of taking Nadal out, but that match never eventuated. Continue reading Australian Open Mens Final Preview 2022
French Open Preview 2021
The second Grand Slam of the year begins next week, when qualifying matches will get underway at Roland Garros, with main draw starting May 30th. Summer in Paris is the pinnacle of the dirty, dusty clay court season. The French covid cases have dipped from 35,000 per day a month ago to 14,000, which will allow more fans into the stands. Continue reading French Open Preview 2021
French Open Mens Final Preview 2020
This is the marquee final the tennis world wanted to see. It’s Rafa vs Novak, two heavyweights of the game who are chasing history. They’ve played so many big matches throughout the years including eight Grand Slam finals. That record stands at 4-4. Nadal skipped the US Open due to virus concerns, Novak was famously defaulted from it, now they both have a chance to close in on Federer’s 20 Slams. Novak is on 17; Rafa is at 19, whoever wins tonight are one step closer to tennis immortality. Continue reading French Open Mens Final Preview 2020
Federer is out for the rest of the year
Roger Federer announced on his twitter account on Wednesday that his season is done. The 38 year old Swiss revealing he’s had another recent knee surgery, which will see him off the tour until 2021. The ATP Tour ground to a halt in March this year due to the pandemic, so by the time Federer returns presumably in January that’s ten months without a competitive match. Continue reading Federer is out for the rest of the year
Australian Open Preview 2020
It’s the start of a new decade, I’ve just turned 50, my Yacht rock playlist is great, and the draw is out for the Australian Open, none of those things seem related but let’s go with it. Continue reading Australian Open Preview 2020
US Open Mens Final Preview 2019
Djokovic is out, Federer is gone, there’s only one left of the big 3 and its Rafa Nadal, the bull from Mallorca, he’s in the US Open final against Daniil Medvedev, a 23 year old Russian who’s won the most matches on tour this season at 50. It’s probably a final not many predicted but Medvedev has earned his place with blistering form during the American summer, being the only player along with Lendl and Agassi to make the Washington, Cincinnati, Toronto and US Open finals in one season, but does he have a chance against Rafa? Continue reading US Open Mens Final Preview 2019
US Open Preview 2019
The tennis travelling circus is descending on New York these next two weeks for the last of the Grand Slams this year, so you can bet mid town traffic and your arteries will be clogged up after you’ve eaten a hot dog from one of the street vendors in Times Square. Continue reading US Open Preview 2019
Wimbledon Thoughts Week 1
Introducing Coco Gauff
The 15 year old has been the revelation of the tournament. Restricted on the WTA tour due to age rules the 313th ranked player made it through Qualifying then followed it up with wins over Venus Williams, Rybarikova and Polona Hercog after being down a set and 5-2. Continue reading Wimbledon Thoughts Week 1
French Open Mens Final Preview 2019
Lets get down to the nitty gritty. I love that phrase. Rafa Nadal has never lost a French Open Final and this will be his 12thfinal in Paris. That’s a crazy number. His only two losses at Roland Garros were to an out of this world performance from Robin Soderling in 2009 and a locked in Novak Djokovic in 2015. Continue reading French Open Mens Final Preview 2019