Jak Beardsworth Tennis

Madrid’ Blue Clay

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:16:55 +0000

What were the Spanish thinking? Who cares if you can see the ball slightly better. It was truly ugly. What’s next, the All-England Club painting the grass blue for the same dumb reason. Leave the red clay alone! Leave the grass alone! Although the Brits have already screwed it up by trying to make it more friendly to baseliners. Both Nadal and Djokovic complained about the blue surface, although I believe it was more specifically about the poor condition of the court – slippery, uneven footing and really bad bounces. Absolutely no excuses for that in the big leagues! Did the low bidder get the contract this year – people knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing again? That would be my guess or the court super didn’t know what he was doing? Something changed unless the dye actually caused the court to play differently which is very possible. Anyone know more?

Serena Dominates Azarenka…Federer Wins for #2

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:04:57 +0000

Serena Williams continues to amaze, overwhelming Vika 6-1, 6-3 in Madrid on the blue clay. Azarenka, the current world #1, was womanhandled to say the very least with Serena overpowering her at every turn.

Federer overcame a playing very well Thomas Berdych 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 for the men’s title, and knocked-off Nadal as the world’s #2 player. Djokovic remains far ahead in the points standings but still has all those points to defend from his unbelieveable 2011.

So, this suddenly becomes an interesting year with Fed in top form, Nadal looking to win his 7th French surpassing Borg’s record of 6, Djokovic still playing very well despite the hiccup resulting from his grandfather’s passing, the London Olympics in July at Wimbledon, and Serena once again showing the girls clearly who’s boss when she puts her mind and body to it.

Ready, set, go!

Why Was Isner-Mahut Still So Compelling?

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 23:03:00 +0000

It’s still being talked about for all it’s magic, but more than that, as noted by Steve Flink, its play dynamic more closely resenbled classic grass court tennis than any other match before or since. Exciting, under duress shot making at its very best. There’s nothing quite like a fast court to bring out the very best one has.

Pete Sampras Retrospective

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:45:08 +0000

The Tennis Channel just ran a feature on Pete Sampras’ quest for 6 straight years at #1, a record that no one – not Fed he already failed, certainly not Rafa with his physical style, and not the Djoker either - will ever equal again. Yet Pete gets almost no credit for it, so kudos to the TC for running it. Why does Pete Sampras continued to be underappreciated by even those who have a sense of the game? Always loved to watch him play. Masterful.

The Boring Clay Court Swing

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:27:45 +0000

It happens every spring. No that eterenal optimism culture of renewal that happens every year in baseball’s spring training. I’m referring to, for me, the boredom that comes from watching clay court tennis. The courts are too slow. Too may balls go back and forth – the rallies of attrition, the Greeks and the Trojans going at it for 10 years. Factor in the 3 out 5 sets that comes with Roland Garros for the men and I’m nodding in my big chair. Using an Olympics – London in July! - track and field analogy, what would you rather watch, a spirited 1-mile run or a 10,000 meter steeple chase? Use much faster balls! Speed up the courts! Enforce the time limit in between points! Thankfully Wimbledon – despite their efforts to screw it up by, can you believe, slowing it down – and its lead-ups are just around the corner.

USTA’s New Membership Renewal Pamphlet Image

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:15:53 +0000

An interesting choice – 6 joyfully hugging teammates after a victory. On face value terrific stuff! But it made me ponder the evolution in team play from one of playing for, and representing, your club for years on end with committment and pride, to one more about individual accomplishment in today’s enviroment of player’s often moving from club to club, and recruited to do so, in order to create super teams and gain an advantage over the competition. The club loyalty that was paramount in the past is dying a slow death. In fact, I’m having a dificult time getting a pulse observing this trend first hand.

Sharapova Finally Tops Azarenka with a Dazzling Display

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:05:40 +0000

Maybe it was the new Porsche 911 on display that goes to the winner of the Stuggart event, along with the big check, that gave Sharapova the best performance “we’ve seen from her since priot o her shoulder surgery,” stated commentator Lindsey Davenport. Maybe it was due to Azarenka only winning 27% of her 2nd serve points – Sharapova was going all out on it – while hampered by a sore wrist. Maybe Azarenka was a little too chippy for own good – the girl’s got attitude to put it kindly. Nope, none of the above. It was Sharapova playing flawless tennis on the indoor red dirt that was shipped in from Paris. And she was due. I hate listening to her but I really enjoy watching her play the game, a style that’s a 180 from Radawanska, another player she’s had bad blood with recently. And you gotta love the glancing collision – reminiscent of Venus Williams and Irena Spilea at the French years ago - she and Veka had right at the umpire’s chair on a changeover. Maybe next time we’ll get an actual catfight.

Serena Dominates at Family Circle Cup

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:41:31 +0000

Serena Williams obiterated both Samatha Stosur and Lucy Sarafova in the semis and finals dropping only 2 games! Yes, only 2 games. Downright scary as the European clay court season is about to begin leading up to the French. When she’s on no one can touch her, and this was on a clay court, probably not her best surface. If she can maintain this kinda of form and remain injury free they might as well give her the Paris trophy right now.

John Isner – The New Face of American Men’s Tennis

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:37:41 +0000

After leading the US Davis Cup squad to victory previously over Federer and company in Switzlerland, he did it again yesterday, in France, over a very good French team clinching it with a tough 4 set win over Jo Willie Tsonga. His big game has blossomed in 2012 with better court coverage, return of serve, and fitness to go along with the big serve and forehand. All this on the slow red clay that both opponents chose to slow down the American team. Having Capt Jim Courier at his side - a welcome change after the Patrick McEnroe years - didn’t hurt one bit, especially when he appeared to fatigue badly late in a losing 3rd set. He’s matured into a viable all-court game and is now feared by all, including the Big 3.

Roddick At It Again in Miami

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:29:38 +0000

Just when you’ve forgotton about the last time he behaved boorishly, he does it again. This time at the practice courts at the Sony Ericson. A friend, an eyewitness, reported to me that a large crowd was gathered watching Roddick practice. At some point a buzz when through the crowd – it was Roger Federer and his entourage making its way to the adjacent court. As many got up and began to leave in order to snare a seat/spot to watch Federer, Roddick whined out loud in his best sarcastic, spoiled child voice with accompanying gestures, “Oh, it’s Roger Federer. So, I’m not good enough. Okay, go ahead and watch Rogerrrr.” No he was not attempting to be funny. My friend noted that it was embarassing to witness – the Ugly American. The guy has a nice charity and does good works with it, but, noentheless, he’s repeatedly demonstrated he’s a no class guy.