It may be time for a re-think from Tennis Australia, which oversees the lowest event on the four-Slam totem pole behind the French, Wimbledon and the US Open.

And certainly this writer continues to be one of those “technical” critics. But I say, celebrate these guys. They love the game.

Entering next week’s Davis Cup final against Russia, American Andy Roddick has launched an attack on the ATP’s handling of Nikolay Davydenko coming under suspicion for “not trying” in tournament matches, and Roddick being fined by the ATP for missing a Masters Series tournament. ADHEREL “So I have a little bit of a problem that […]

World No 1 Roger Federer gave out no early Christmas gifts in Seoul Tuesday in a 6-4, 6-3 win over Pete Sampras in the first of the three-series exhibition meeting tour in Asia. ADHEREL Sampras broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set before Federer won the next four games to close out the […]

Tuesday of this week will be the first airing of three exhibition clashes between all-time Grand Slam title winner (14) Pete Sampras, and all-time great-in-waiting (12 Grand Slam titles and growing) Roger Federer. ADHEREL Tennis Channel will have live coverage (and prime-time replays) of the Asian exhibition tour, with the first match in Seoul airing […]

Croatia’s most famous sporting hero Goran Ivanisevic has warned English football fans that his nation could yet spoil England’s Euro 2008 qualification plans. ADHEREL Ivanisevic, who plays on the BlackRock Tour of Champions which culminates in the BlackRock Masters Tennis at London�s Royal Albert Hall, December 4-9, believes that his beloved Croatia are a superior […]

This story is a couple days old, but worth refreshing. On the heels on Nikolay Davenko’s investigation last month, I wrote about how tennis is an easy target for criminal organizations looking to cash in by fixing matches. Well, things are not getting any better for tennis.

I’d love to see him bust through here and win — take one of these titles away from Federer or Nadal. He’s got a tough run obviously.

I was like, ‘You got to serve well to beat him.’ I was like, ‘You already do it, so it’s a plus (smiling).’ He’s a little anxious to get out there. It’s going to be fun to watch.

It will be interesting to see, but it could go either way.

It will be interesting to watch. I think Roger’s going to definitely try to get that early break in the first set, just kind of get out in front. I think that’s going to be a key.

If Isner returns better and Federer isn’t on his game, then, yeah, it will definitely be an interesting match.

Initially they reminded me of a few years ago when black socks and shoes were all the rage in the U.S., but instead of all-black, players were mixing them with colored shorts and shirts, so from the knees down they looked like your grandpa when he goes out in shorts with his dress shoes and socks.

“I was really surprised because I saw him in the locker room,” Young said. “A couple people saw him hitting today. I saw him hitting yesterday and the day before. I thought he was okay.”

At the pro level, where players have spent the majority of their lives hitting backhands and forehands, the game is mostly mental. Sometimes players really believe the things they say. Sometimes they don’t really believe, but say they do, hoping it will become a self-fulfilling prophesy.