Add New Tag | Official Bud Collins Website

RODDICK’S GREATEST DAY CAN’T PREVENT FEDERER ECLIPSING SAMPRAS

Commemorative plaques have recently been placed on the show courts

LONDON – The yellow tennis ball hung above Andy Roddick’s left shoulder like a mini-moon. He eyed it with animosity, his weapon poised to shoot the moon as 15,000 witnesses surrounding the grass patch called Centre Court couldn’t believe that with one simple smack the rejuvenated American would post a 2-set lead over the 5-time champion, Roger Federer. It was oh-so-close to happening as the Lord of the Swings, Federer, stood by helplessly while Roddick, close to the net and sideline – possessing his 4^th set point in the second set tie-breaker – went after the ball with a backhand…and bungled it. continue reading »

July 04 2009 | Wimbledon | 18 Comments »

HISTORY WAS ROGER’S BUSINESS AS HE CATCHES UP WITH SAMPRAS

Roger Federer receiving his French Open, Coupe de Mousquetaires, at long last!

PARIS – When Roger Federer walked onto the umber-toned earthen tennis court at Roland Garros yesterday, he looked at the man accompanying him to the final and was pleased. The guy was not Rafael Nadal, who had beaten him here the last four years.

Instead he was Roger’s benefactor, the man who had removed Nadal from Federer’s path a week ago: Robin Soderling. This was something neither man had imagined when the French Open got under way. After all Soderling, a lanky, limber Swede with a scruffy mini-beard and a No. 23 ranking, had never progressed beyond the third round of a major. His first round on the outback Court 6 was, Soderling said, attended by two people: “my coach and my girlfriend.” continue reading »

June 07 2009 | French Open | 20 Comments »