I haven’t been posting of late due to other writing commitments, work, family, you name it. I’ve even started playing more myself again and the game is coming along decently – with the only worry being the body holding up. But I’m going to try to get back to the blog and Twitter and follow it until the end of 2013. At least a chunkier post every week. And as an add-on I’m going to write a newsletter where you who subscribe get something a little bit extra from time to time. Match predictions, gear reviews, tips and tricks for …
federer
At the start of Federer‘s match against Tsonga yesterday, I tweeted: “Tsonga looks ready to bongo bong.” I don’t know how that phrase came to me, maybe how Tsonga’s name is spelled, maybe I just got that infectious Manu Chao tune in my head or maybe Tsonga’s bouncy and hard-hitting game reminded me of a drum beat. Anyways, Tsonga looked ready to bongo bong. And he was. Despite being down a break in the first set, he came back to win it 7-5 and then pounced again to get up a break quickly in the second. Federer looked like he …
It was close, kind of, but Federer got back in his usual stride and managed to beat Simon from 2-1 in sets with the final scoreline: 6-1 4-6 2-6 6-2 6-3. Next up is Tsonga. Federer winning the match helps him maintain his amazing streak of 36 straight Grand Slam Quarterfinals (or further of course) – a record that will be close to impossible to break. Tsonga will be a tougher challenge for Fed. He has an even stronger following in France and when he’s on a roll like he seems to be now, he can beat pretty much anyone. …
Julien Benneteau has been a threat to Federer in the past. He has beaten him twice, and as recently as Rotterdam earlier this year. He was also up two sets to none in Wimbledon last year before Federer stormed back and managed to win the match and later on the tournament. Benneteau simply seems to shine when playing the Fed Express. But yesterday Federer was simply too good and powered through the slightly tired Frenchman 6-3 6-4 7-5. It’s nice to see Federer back in his good old Grand Slam form again after a “hesitant” Spring where people again started …
I was lucky enough to catch the two final sets of Federer’s display of brilliance yesterday against poor Devvarman who was equally as much as spectator as the crowd. The final scored said it all: 6-2 6-1 6-1. When Federer feels as relaxed as he did yesterday and consistently hits the ball in the center of the racquet, it’s one of the biggest thrills to watch in tennis – even when it’s not much of a match. It’s a rare phenomenon that a player’s technique and brilliance can be enough satisfaction on its own in sport where what you usually …
The first day at Roland Garros 2013 is almost over and we have managed to get through it without the looming grey clouds in Paris infringing too much on the action. It’s cold in Paris and the weather forecast for the first week does look rather grim, but hopefully we won’t have too much of a break in the schedule. I had a feeling the weather together with the flimsy form of some of the favorites would allow for potential upsets, but the first day saw none. Federer breezed through dangerous youngster Carreno-Busta 6-2 6-2 6-3 and except for a …
Since Rafa has his own energy drink, I think our Le Fed, Maestro, Fed Express, etc should have a dish of his own. And what would be more fitting than a baguette? After all, he must be tired of handing out bagels. So what’s in the Fed Baguette? Caviar – of course. Truffles – of course (plenty). Oysters – of course. Gold leaf – of course. And some other stuff – of course. The Fed Baguette is best enjoyed with a glass of Moet (or a bottle, because it doesn’t taste so good with those ingredients mixed together) or if you …
Being spoiled with the era of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray – I’m worried that the coming generation won’t be up to the same standard. I know it’s almost impossible to reach the drama of the last 8-9 years, but I want to keep watching tennis and I want to enjoy it to the max. Federer drew me back to the game after a stint of disenchantment and I would hate to lose that passion again. So I keep hoping we get another back of truly great players to keep the sport alive and kicking for many years to come. …
GOAT stands for Greatest Player of All Time and the discussion of who can rightfully claim that “title”. Since Federer holds many of the records, especially the heaviest one with 17 Grand Slam titles, most people seem to think that he deserves the GOAT distinction, but when he keeps losing to Nadal and Nadal keeps winning title after title, the discussion starts again. The facts are (Federer first, Nadal second): Federer has obviously won more tournaments, but Nadal is much younger at 26 while Federer is 31. So you could say that Nadal has five more years at least to …
I had high hopes for the Rome final. Federer had looked good all tournament and not dropped a set and was about to commence batte for his first Rome title ever and Nadal had had some problems, especially with Gulbis. It should be a pretty even match, I thought. In my stupidity. In a one-sided affair similar of the Roland Garros final in 2008, Nadal washed over Federer’s backhand like hail and poor Fed rushed the net like a Llodra after an intoxicated night in Paris and far from the Greatest Player of All Time. Nadal on the other hand, …