Spain was the slight favorite entering the encounter behind world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, but after Rafa pulled with a knee injury, the betting swung heavily toward the Argentine side. Spain’s David Ferrer has had a disastrous second half of the season and enters the tie with little confidence, while Feliciano “F-Lo” Lopez does not have a history as a big-match winner.

“I would put it in the same league as a Grand Slam because the best eight players in the world are participating here,” Djokovic said. “I feel very happy. End up the season the way I started it, with a win in a big event. So it’s a great boost up for upcoming season.”

One major problem that players of all abilities tend to experience is hitting shots off-balance. An imbalance can be caused by many elements of a stroke: using poor footwork, reaching for the ball with the racquet (instead of moving the feet to the ball), or simply not having full control of one’s body while in […]

A lot of energy is devoted to improving weaknesses. But what about making the big shot even bigger? If you’re like Nadal and have made your forehand the cornerstone of your game, have you done everything you can with it?

If the Williams sisters were to retire with Davenport as of this writing, the U.S. would have no women in the Top 40, and three players in the Top 100 (including the 30+ Jill Craybas, and Ashley Harkleroad who is pregnant). In other words, by the time the Williams retire, U.S. women’s tennis will virtually retire with them.

Russian Maria Kirilenko upheld her top seeding to collect her third title of the year Sunday in Seoul, coming from a set down to defeat unseeded Aussie Sam Stosur 2-6, 6-1, 6-4. Stosur dropped to 0-4 lifetime in tour singles finals.

Rafa may have an issue with New York. To Nadal’s credit he plays every point with utmost effort and toughness. New York draws out reserves of toughness from more fragile players. Therefore, relative to his competition, Rafa’s intensity advantage declines at Flushing Meadows.

“No, I was so pissed off that I didn’t think about anything,” Davenport said.

Elite tennis players have used a variety of stroke mechanics and tactics to succeed. Therefore, different physiques have been seen frequenting the winner’s circle in tennis. Boris Becker, Gustavo Kuerten, Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi did not have similar body types, but each won a lot of big matches.

WORLD NO. 1 BEATER: With her win at the Olympics over Jelena Jankovic, Russian Dinara Safina became the first player in history to beat three different reigning No. 1 players in the same year.

While Nadal and Federer are with their entourages, Roddick seems to be without ever-present brother/coach John Roddick. Roddick has been without a main coach other than his brother since splitting with former No. 1 Jimmy Connors.

Avoid this item. It can help a person get into better shape so as a workout device it is fine, but it is detrimental to one’s tennis swing and timing on the court.

“Has anything changed?” said opponent MaliVai Washington. “I guess he has one of those explosive personalities, you could say. There are a lot of things I can deal with, disputed line calls, stoppage in play. I have an issue when my opponent starts berating people, fans, and umpires. I said something to the official. As players, we are in control of the match. Officials are in charge of the integrity of the game.”

Why, oh why is there zero interest in following the best tennis players in the world as they battle for gold? Is it because they play one another all the time anyway? Yeah, that’s part of it, I’m sure. Is it because the sport is dominated by athletes with powerful forehands and punchless personalities? Yes, I think that has something to do with it as well.

A gold medal is likely as valuable to a top tennis player as any title not among the 4 Grand Slams. The Masters Cup or a Masters Series event with deep history such as Rome might be deemed more valuable than gold by various top players. Depending on the nation and mindset of a player Gold may or may not be as valuable as winning the Davis Cup. I got the sense that Carlos Moya was extremely happy to win TMS Rome and the Davis Cup in 2004. Those are accomplishments a player can share with family, friends and fans. So too is an Olympic Gold medal.