Archive for January, 2009
“Laver’s lost the first two sets!”
The cry ran through the Wimbledon press room like wildfire. But it was chilling to me.
Wimbledon ’69 had barely begun, and the defending champion, “Rocket” Laver, was under siege, losing badly to an anonymous Indian in the second round on Court 4, a patch of grass hardly fit for the emperor.
To the other reporters, it was the possibility of a juicy upset story. Not for me. I was helping Laver write his memoir (“The Education of a Tennis Player”) – but the New York publisher had made it clear: No Grand Slam, no book. So I was not exactly objective on the subject of Rodney George Laver at the halfway mark of his second Slam. continue reading »
January 31 2009 | Australian Open | 1 Comment »
MELBOURNE – Rafa Nadal, who has come here as the man to beat, says he likes this city (even though he hasn’t won the title here in four tries). “It is big but calm. Very clean,” he says. It is.
Venus Williams says she likes to drive all over town. Even on the left side of the road, which doesn’t faze her. Gets lost all the time, but works her way back to familiar territory. However, Serena says, “They” – presumably her mother – “won’t let me drive here. I had a bad experience that I won’t talk about.”
Venus did have an accident here, however – a second round collision with a new Spanish model named Carla Suarez Navarro. Even though Venus had a match point, Carla ran through that stop sign to win, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5. This kid is one to watch, particularly on clay – but the blue pavement here didn’t faze her.
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January 25 2009 | Australian Open | 3 Comments »
MELBOURNE — Hail the Conquering Hero! (But please don’t keep on demeaning him.)
I’m talking about that red-headed, left-handed spellbinding lad, Rodney George Laver, a refugee from a Queensland farm Well, he hasn’t fallen off a horse for some time, or wielded the sweetest racket this side of heaven. But he’s among us again to help salute the 40th anniversary of his most recent Grand Slam. (There were two.) And of course the celebration will largely take place in the tennis pen named for him at Melbourne Park.
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January 23 2009 | Australian Open | 5 Comments »
Entrance to the Fitzroy Gardens with one of the famous avenues of elms in the background.
MELBOURNE – Far from a tennis tournament called the Australian Open a man named Obama has moved into a house with his own private tennis court. I hope he and his wife and kids make good use of it, adding their names to a White House tradition that goes back to 1901 and the rough-and-ready president Teddy Roosevelt.
A believer in sweaty vigorous exercise, Teddy felt the best at-home version was tennis, and he ordered a dirt court to be laid outside his office. It cost $ 400, and drew criticism from those who complained it was a frivolous expense for playing a game. Nevertheless, it soon attracted government officials who were lumped together in the president’s so-called “tennis cabinet.” One of the leading lights was French Ambassador Jusserand. continue reading »
January 21 2009 | Australian Open | 2 Comments »
Rod Laver Arena
So why am I huddled in the shade of a tall bush, along with a dozen fellow communicates, some on tip-toes to gain a look over others? We are a few yards from Court 6, but all 600 seats are taken in grandstands on either side, so my fellow bushies and I are are peeping- toms, crammed together, each getting a visual slice of the scene.
Another Australian Open has begun with Andy Roddick beating the traditional sacrificial lamb in the main ballroom, Swedish qualifier, Bjorn [undoubtedly named for The Bjorn] Rehnquist, 6-0, 6-2, 6-2. Next came No. 1 Jelly Jankovic in kelly green frock and sun tanned bod to do a Viennese waltz past Austrian Yvonne Meusburger, 6-1, 6-3.
Why would I pass them up?
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January 19 2009 | Australian Open | No Comments »
As we headed to Melbourne on the Hume Highway with a lot of construction and traffic, we encountered this wonderful sunset which I could only photograph while driving….
January 15 2009 | Photos | No Comments »
Closeup of a cluster of Jacaranda flowers on a tree in bloom
KANGAROO VALLEY, Australia – Wending our way toward Melbourne and another Australian Open, which will be quieter this year. Unfortunately the Siberian Siren, Maria Sharapova, won’t be there to defend her title.
She was so terrific a year ago, winning 14 of 14 sets, looking very No. 1, crushing then No. 1 Justine Henin in the quarters, 6-4, 6-0 (perhaps making the retired mini-gem, Justine wonder if life among the musculars was worth continuing). Alas, Sharapova needs more time to rehab and train following right shoulder surgery. Not that shriekers won’t be heard – Venus and Serena to name two. But nobody’s in a vocal class with Maria, whose arias turn many off – or to earplugs.
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January 14 2009 | Australian Open | No Comments »
Mt. Kosciuszko is the highest mountain in Australia, not really all that high at 2,228 meters. Nevertheless, it is the apex of this continent and I wanted to climb it. Bud nicely went part of the way with me on a bright sunny summer day. Our main problem was a high wind. There were masses of wildflowers, great vistas and a lot of granite boulders.
January 06 2009 | Photos | No Comments »
