Another Djokodal in the Works?

The 2021 Australian Open didn't really get me all fired-up as we welcomed 2021 and read about athletes making their ways to Melbourne for some dramatic quarantine protocol followed by some warm-up events to bring us to this first major of the year. Part of this is what we have going on, world-wide and here …

Continue reading Another Djokodal in the Works?

2020 is Like a THBH

Sure this could be a reference to Nadal's run here at the WTF. But a few thoughts first on a few events since the fall French, when we last exchanged pleasantries. St. Petersburg went to the (once) hottest Russian Rublev. Despite his London loss tonight to Tsitsipas, he still might actually be the best Russian …

Continue reading 2020 is Like a THBH

French Quarters

REUTERS/Christian Hartmann To finish my commentary on Thiem vs Schwartzman, I liked Diego in this match and part of that absolutely comes from his results in Rome. He spanked Rafa, played a gem against Shapo and though he came-up against le patron (or il capo) in the final, he showed all kinds of value for …

Continue reading French Quarters

The Truth in Real Time

Do you want to know the truth of clay court tennis? Forget for a second the mammoth legacy of Rafael Nadal, who's ownership of the clay court, of Roland Garros and many other dirty venues, has seemingly elevated this surface beyond its mere claim of surface diversity, history and cultural charm. The unevenness of the …

Continue reading The Truth in Real Time

Nadalism Addendum

First, yesterday's Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Andrey Rublev Adelaide SF was almost blogged as a "must watch," but I didn't quite have the faith in FAA to rise to the occasion.  We've all liked his athleticism and the fact that maybe this is a little era in Canadian tennis that might push guys like Shapo and …

Continue reading Nadalism Addendum