Archive for June, 2010
London Eye from St. James Park
LONDON – Decline and falling? Like the Roman Empire?
Maybe.
But one thing is clear. Roger Federer, the man who owned the green room – Centre Court at Wimbledon – will not be the centerpiece Sunday. After seven straight years of believing that this tennis court belonged to him, he was rudely evicted by a guy born in the Czech Republic village of Vallasske Mezerici and lives in Prostejov. Anybody who can spell or pronounce them should get a prize. (Like many other athletes, Tomas Berdych visits his money in Monte Carlo.) continue reading »
June 30 2010 | Wimbledon | 5 Comments »
Bud with Kim Clijsters, feting Martina Navratilova
LONDON – If they had been shooting at each other in a Western, one of the antagonists might have threatened, “This country ain’t big enough for both of us.”
The country in question is tiny Belgium. Not much cactus, sagebrush or prairie there, but the firing was fierce as they tried to drive one another out of a Wimbledon canyon called Court 1.
No canyons in Belgium either. Their ammunition is tennis balls and has been for at least two decades since Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin – the Brussels Sprouts — first took aim at one another at a kids tournament in their native land. continue reading »
June 29 2010 | Wimbledon | No Comments »
Pal, Damien, celebrates his 50th b'day at Wimbledon
LONDON – Jimmy Van Alen would not be amused.
Though Jimmy, who used to run the Newport tournament, is no longer with us, his baby is: the tie-breaker (not tiebreak as many incorrectly call it today). Alive and well in a fifth set at the US Open – but not at Wimbledon or the other two major championships, Australian and French. continue reading »
June 26 2010 | Wimbledon | 4 Comments »
Historic scoreboard, Isner, Mahut and umpire, Mohamed Lahyani
LONDON – Elizabeth Windsor decided to take in some tennis at Wimbledon yesterday. Although tickets are scarcer than elephants cavorting at Piccadilly Circus, she managed to cop a couple, and in the front row of Centre Court, no less. continue reading »
June 24 2010 | Wimbledon | 4 Comments »
Bud with Jimmy Connors
LONDON – Shall we call it “The Johnny and Nico Show”? Two young guys skipping about on a grassy stage of an outdoor theatre called Wimbledon, and hoping “you’ll tune in again tomorrow because we ain’t finished yet.” continue reading »
June 23 2010 | Wimbledon | 4 Comments »
Topiary TV cameraman on Broadcast Center roof
LONDON – Normally the aged tennis tournament known as Wimbledon opens its gates in much the same manner employed by the log-ago Romans at their Colosseum. Throw some citizens to the lions, and see who could be entertaining. continue reading »
June 21 2010 | Wimbledon | 2 Comments »
(NOTE: This is a climb I did in January of 1988, but am posting anew to this website…..)
Mount Kilimanjaro, 19,340'
Mt. Kilimanjaro – 1/27/88. Seeing my friends, schoolgirl Nicole Wineland-Thomson and adventurer David Breashears, scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro in David’s Imax film at the Museum of Science in Boston in 2002, stirred memories of my own ascent almost 15 years before. continue reading »
June 16 2010 | Tanzania and Travel | 2 Comments »
Living wall on Quay de Branly Museum...the vertical garden was designed by Patrick Blanc
Send her a terre battu pie because she says she likes taking bites out of a clay court, as she did after her French Open triumphs. She, of course, is the bandit from Milan, Francesca Schiavone, who stole the show at Roland Garros this year. Her shotmaking made her the all-time long-shot among women who have won the French, and we enjoyed her joy as she did it. Lots of smiles and volleys. continue reading »
June 12 2010 | French Open | 1 Comment »
Charming little handmade sailboats in the Tuileries
PARIS – Rafael Nadal sat in his courtside chair, contentedly munching a banana while 14,845 aficionados surrounded him, checking his banana-eating form. It was neat, but overpowering, the way he treats opponents.
In a couple of minutes, one more game, he would smack the last tennis ball of the French Open, and became the planetary top banana, regaining No. 1 status. continue reading »
June 06 2010 | French Open | 1 Comment »
Reveling in historic victory
Paris – Don’t stand too close to a lion. You might get bit.
A nice young woman a long way from home, Aussie Samantha Stosur, found that out Saturday as 14,845 tennis devotees shrieked, clapped, howled and flapped the flags of Italy and Australia in wild disbelief while the new champion of France was sharpening her teeth, both participants playing in their first major final. continue reading »
June 05 2010 | French Open | 2 Comments »
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