Late Night Reflections on the 2012 Australian Open’s Start
It’s that time of the year again for the first Grand Slam in the sunny land of Australia to kick off. Injuries prevail among both tours as was the case last year — and why shouldn’t they with such a short off-season? A little tennis has been watched and a lot of guilt has been felt for not writing sooner. That aside, let’s get down to talking some tennis.
I caught a few matches last night, failing to fall asleep before 5am because, sure, Roger Federer’s match against …who? (Goes to look it up)
Oh, yes, Federer’s match against World No. 176, or something, Alexandre Kudryavtsev (apparently no relation to Alla Kudryavtseva) was just that interesting. Okay, so maybe not, but the later played decently enough, striking some booming backhands that pierced angles of the court in a very, well, Federer-esque way. Regardless of the spots of brilliance from his opponent, Federer prevailed easily, winning 7-5, 6-2, 6-2.
In other matches broadcast to my liking were Aussie heir apparent Bernard Tomic against Fernando Verdasco as well as last year’s champion and Down Under’s adopted daughter Kim Clijsters versus another nobody (will check name).
Tomic looked sharp in all his cat-like glory, moving the ball around beautifully against the No. 22 seed, while hitting perfectly timed slices over and over again to take the pace, put it in a blender, and then proceed to cut Verdasco’s confidence to pieces. In short, Tomic came back from two sets down for the win. Verdasco completely choked at the end, allowing the teen to advance to the second round 5-6, 6(3)-7, 6-4, 6-2, 7-5.
For Aussie Kim, the win looked a little uneasy at the start. She let her opponent control play too much, but ultimately dominated by the end. She took out Maria Joao Koehler 7-5, 6-1. Should the Belgian’s body hold up, and she doesn’t do one of those surprising disappearing acts for which she’s known, we’ll get a rematch of last year’s final against Li Na in the Round of 16.
How’s that for strange?
That Time I Tried Out for the Oxford Blues
Look at that wicked forehand and those Murray-esque features! Photo: Daniel Csete.
It’s not any tennis fan who can say that he’s traveled from working the site of the greatest tournament in North America, the US Open, to the courts used by the Oxford University Blues within the span of, oh, about a month. Needless to say, I can. (Hooray, me, right?) Okay, so maybe it isn’t the most ground-breaking of accomplishments in one’s life, but I’m certainly going to get as much out of the experience. That is, of course, why I’m selecting to write about it when I probably should be reading “Reinventing Film Studies,” or even “The Merchant of Venice” for an upcoming tutorial. Relax, I have a week until my next!
And, yes, this little anecdote is certainly noteworthy enough for me to feel inspired to stop analyzing a Woody Allen film — yes, they let you take that kind of course at Oxford (if you can work the system to your advantage, or simply be a visiting student and an American Studies and Communications double major who can only take a Woody Allen film course to fulfill needed requirements) — for a little bit. Lord knows I’ve already cooped myself up for a day doing that. And, no, it wasn’t pretty. It’s actually kind of ironic that I was obsessing over writing an essay about obsession in Annie Hall. Woody Allen will do that to you.
Anyway, that’s a story for another time. Phew, it’s actually nice to write about tennis for the first time in over a month!
Ah, yes. Where was I? Yes, I was recounting that time in every man’s life when he decides to swallow his pride and, despite knowing he probably won’t cut it, dons his tennis gear and grabs his dust-covered Babolat rackets for a hit. He puts away his tissues, needed for the cold that comes with the UK’s wacky weather changes and from the remnants of jet lag, and gets ready to play. Mind you, this was my first time actually engaging in the sport in about two weeks, not to mention one in only a handful of times throughout the summer. I’ve decided to remember this summer, filled with internships and awesome opportunities at some of the finest institutions in the tennis media industry, as one in which I watched a lot of tennis, but played excruciatingly little.
Nonetheless, being a Goucher Gopher — and quite proud of that fact — I was confident enough in my abilities going into the fray to at least not get hit off the court. I probably should’ve taken the hint that, upon nearing the sports complex, people could actually keep a high-level rally going for more than five shots. I chose to ignore that and powered on, sniffling from my cold the whole way.
Okay, so in the end I wasn’t quite hit off the court as much as I was, politely, asked to leave the premises to allow others to use the segment of the court my embarrassing play must have been dirtying up. I exaggerate, of course. I was definitely hit off the court. But, hey, at least they were polite about asking me to pack up my bags and get the heck away! Them Brits, eh?
And, so, while I was ultimately unsuccessful in my aims to represent American Division III tennis in the United Kingdom, or get the chance at instilling fear in the hearts of a Cambridge University athlete, I do have this story.
Maybe social tennis every Saturday won’t be too bad after all? I’m just crazy enough about the sport to check it out.
For more of that exciting work in the tennis industry I mentioned earlier, check out my online portfolio here.
An Incredible Two Weeks at the 2011 US Open
Australia’s Sam Stosur and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic might have claimed the US Open titles this year, but I feel as though I’m the true winner at the conclusion of 2011′s spectacular event held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens.
Working as a Production Assistant for USOpen.org’s video crew, I had the chance to put together three of my passions: tennis, writing and research, and get paid for it! With a credential around my neck and hundreds of tennis matches to watch and to jot down notes about, I knew I’d be in for a treat as soon as I made my first trip to the tennis center. Sure, it may have taken a while to realize just how to get there (the 3 / 7 from Brooklyn or the R / 7 from Queens in case you’re wondering), but I was lucky enough to have my friend Billie Weiss along for the ride (both figuratively and literally).
During my time, I met a host of incredible people, working with some I’d already know through my foray into the tennis media industry, and it was an awesome culmination of a summer filled with work in the tennis media industry.
It’s been such a reward experience working for TENNIS Magazine, World TeamTennis, the Western & Southern Open and, finally, the US Open. I’m looking forward to further cultivating relationships with the fantastic people I’ve met this summer and contributing to these groundbreaking tennis organizations in the future.
So, what’s next for me? Preparation for Oxford University and giving a little more love to this blog, Tenaciously Tennis, which has been instrumental in getting me where I am today.
For links to the articles I wrote for USOpen.org, view my online portfolio here.
Harrison Making His Mark in Atlanta
Ryan Harrison’s leap into the top 100 this week at No. 94 is to be expected. He’s long proven to hold the talent necessary to reach that level. His recent semifinal foray into the league of the big boys in Atlanta, where he set up a meeting with top ranked American Mardy Fish, sends a clear message regarding the possibilities his future holds. Of course, Harrison has a ways to go before the praise can be slathered on. His straight sets loss to Fish speaks to just that.
Having claimed his first tour doubles title earlier this year at Newport, it’s time for Harrison to step up in singles like Bernard Tomic did at Wimbledon earlier this summer at the Grand Slam level. He’s proven he can, making it to the fourth round at Indian Wells, which is widely considered the fifth major tournament in the world.
But the Grand Slams are called such and held in especially high esteem for a reason. That’s where Harrison needs to display his worth to be taken as a serious contender on the ATP level and to be appointed the United States’ next big hope — if that’s even a title a young up-and-comer wants to bear.
Regardless, if Harrison can better last year’s second round showing at the US Open, he’ll be golden given the crowd’s overwhelming support in his favor. No doubt he has the game and the belief, now it’s just a question of transferring that confidence to results on the big stages.
Excerpt of ‘My Tennis-Filled Summer in Pictures’
I recently wrote about my experiences this summer interning for two tennis organizations. Read below for an excerpt.
This summer has been pretty fantastic, especially from the point-of-view of my budding media career in journalism and, especially, tennis journalism. The best part: it’s hardly halfway over! I think the photo above captures this excitement, while showcasing a look of pure joy from tennis legend Chris Evert.
I’ve had the opportunity to write and blog for two amazing sites, www.TENNIS.com and WTT.com, as well as do work with content management for both. By working with a set of really talented editors and co-workers, my knowledge of the industry is drastically.
To read this post in its entirety, click here.
Wimbledon Final Live Blogging: Maria Sharapova Against Petra Kvitova
Maria Sharapova takes on Petra Kvitova in the finals. Below is live blogging from the match.
10:38 AM: With an ace (her only one of the match), Petra Kvitova becomes a Wimbledon champion. She defeated Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 in a brilliant display of shot-making and steady nerves.
10:35 AM: In a routine hold, Sharapova brings the score to 4-5. It’s time for Kvitova to serve for the championship.
10: 33 AM: Kvitova comes back from being down 15-30 to take the game, 5-3. Now the pressure’s all on Sharapova to hold serve.
10:29 AM: Well, she couldn’t handle holding serve. Kvitova broke again and the finish line is in sight. It’s 4-3 now.
10:24 AM: Sharapova’s gaining some momentum back. She broke Kvitova to even the match again at 3-all. How will she handle the serve?
10: 17 AM: It’s all about Kvitova in this match; she’s completely dictating play in an echo of the way Sharapova dominated Serena Williams back in ’04, according to the NBC commentators. I completely agree. Kvitova broke the Russian to lead 3-2.
10:07 AM: Sharapova lofts a beautiful lob over Kvitova to level the second set at 2-all.
10:01 AM: Kvitova’s rolling in the second. She broke Sharapova to start after the Russian hit her fifth double fault. The Czech then held serve to make the score 2-0.
9:51 AM: With a definitive 40-0 game, Kvitova takes the opening set 6-3.
9:50 AM: Sharapova successfully held, but Kvitova’s just two points from taking the first set.
9:40 AM: Kvitova’s getting sharper as the match continues. She backed up the break of Sharapova’s serve with a strong hold. The Czech’s now leading 5-2.
9:38 AM: Sharapova hits her third double fault on match point to give Kvitova the break.
9:37 AM: Uh, oh. Sharapova strikes her second double fault, giving Kvitova the chance to break.
9:34 AM: Kvitova holds serve despite a number of errors. Wow, this isn’t going to be much of a clean match, is it?
9:30 AM: With a little luck from a net cord, Sharapova successfully defends her serve to level the match at 2-all. The 2004 champion is still looking a little too streaky.
9:24 AM: It’s now 2-1 Kvitova after the Czech answered Sharapova’s blasting returns with huge lefty forehands of her own. Can she keep the momentum going and break Sharapova’s serve for a second time to race to a 3-1 lead?
9:21 AM: Sharapova’s battled back to deuce on Kvitova’s serve.
9:17 AM: Kvitova breaks right back with the help of some Sharapova mishits.
9:15 AM: Kvitova races to a quick 40-0 lead on Sharapova’s serve after the Russian hit some errors.
9:14 AM: Maria’s choice to receive worked out well. The Russian started her bid for a second Wimbledon title by breaking Kvitova’s big lefty serve.
9:13: AM: Break point for Sharapova. Let’s see if she can convert.
9:11 AM: Already some errors creeping into the Kvitova game. Sharapova’s up 30-0 on Kvitova’s serve. Can the Czech shake off the nerves?
9:09 AM: The match is about to begin. Petra Kvitova will serve first although Sharapova won the toss. This should be a good match for the two; their games match up well. Watch out for the serve for both.
Serena Williams: After Three Set Battle, a Champion Sheds Tears at Wimbledon
After a yearlong injury layoff, Serena Williams is finally back and feeling thankful for every minute she gets on court. Having played at Eastbourne last week, during which she beat last year’s Wimbledon semifinalist Tsvetana Pironkova before falling to runner-up Vera Zvonareva, the 2010 Wimbledon champion looked shaky upon return. Shaky, but determined.
Seeded 7th at Wimbledon given her grass court success at the All England Club last year, the four-time champion shed tears of joy after serving an ace to take the match against France’s Aravane Rezai 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
Of the tears and her win, Serena said, “I usually don’t cry… but it’s just been so hard. I never dreamt I would be here right now. And then to win. I just wanted to win at least one match here.”
She continued, “It’s been a disaster year, but I’ve been praying. To be able to come back at Wimbledon is pretty awesome. I didn’t expect to play. And I didn’t expect to even do anything. So I’m just excited. I’ve never cried with joy for anything.”
While she’s simply amazed to be into the second round, opponents beware: this is an especially determined Serena who isn’t taking her time on tour for granted at all. Maybe she never has in the past, but going forward she certainly never will.
It’s great to see a 13-time Grand Slam winner given a second chance to succeed doing what she loves most after such life-threatening events, and it’s beautiful to appreciate the tears of a champion in just the first round.
For a video of Serena’s win and post-match reaction, see below.
Roland Garros Wrap-Up with No Rhyme or Reason
The French Open finished Sunday with a sixth title for Rafael Nadal, beating none other Roger Federer (or as the commentators repeatedly called him during his semifinal match against Novak Djokovic: grandpa) in the process. Meanwhile, Na Li triumphed over Francesca Schiavone to become the first Chinese player to win a major title. How’s that for some pretty nifty results at a tournament that this year featured an interesting parallel: the four top-seeded men advanced to the semifinals, while their female counterparts couldn’t quite cut it to even deep in the second week.
The tournament also brought the farewell of personal favorite Patty Schnyder, whose style of game will be missed. Meanwhile, one game got back on track as Maria Sharapova, the self-proclaimed “cow on ice” didn’t get tipped until the wind seemingly knocked her knowledge of serving against Li in the semis. Too bad for Maria, but she’ll manage fine at Wimbledon, I’m sure.
Even with a draw unknown, look for Sharapova to get to the semifinals, provided the weather stays on course. I mean, really? Double-faulting on match point? That’s not the Sharapova of 2008. But glimpses of brilliance were there. Think the match against Andrea Petkovic, for example. A little revenge for that loss at the Australian Open, no doubt.
Djokovic’s streak got snapped, and he looked mighty dejected for most of the match. Wozniacki succumbed to pressure and poor play, as did 2010 finalist Sam Stosur. Will Wimbledon raise their games back to levels of success and dominance, or will they wilt under the weight of even more expectations? How about the Williams sisters? When will they be back?
Time will tell, and, thankfully for the fans, that time is rapidly approaching. Let’s leave behind the drama of Roland Garros and experience the tradition of Wimbledon.
