When in Roma retire like some of the women do
Azarenka & Woznaciki out, Williamses survive, Sharapova vs Ivanovic; Fed’s back and Rafa’s form heal By Matt Cronin Remember when Victoria Azarenka couldn’t keep herself on court for more than two tournaments straight for periods during 2009 and 2010? Recall how much she improved her fitness last year and made herself a top 5 player? [...]
Feeling blue in Madrid
It’s really too bad that instead of just tossing around impressionistic comments on the deepness of the color of Madrid’s blue clay that the tournament has devolved into as spitting match between the top men, tournament owner Ion Tiriac and the ATP. Because really, this week should be about how the world’s best men [...]
From frying pan to fire of Madrid
Women can get lost in early rounds One of the problems with starting an ATP Masters Series/WTA Premier combined tournament on a Saturday is that the results of the ongoing events get lost. Few of the world’s top players competed in the five tournament that went on this week and it’s doubtful that any of them [...]
Ole Madrid
On Saturday, the heart of the clay court season will really begin to beat on some controversial blue stuff at the Madrid Masters. Here’s a breakdown of both draws. WTA Don’t believe what you hear from her camp: No. 1 Victoria Azarenka does have something to prove on clay. She lost in last week’s [...]
Hit List, April 30, 2012: Sharapova & Rafa rock
SHARAPOVA FINALLY STOPS AZARENKA In her two previous losses to Victoria Azarenka this season in the Aussie Open and Indian Wells finals, Maria Sharapova had won all of eight games against No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, so coming into the final game of Stuttgart, she was a decided underdog even though all week she had showed [...]
Alive and Kicking
Roger Federer and Serena Williams show their greatness in winning Madrid By Matt Cronin The two greatest players of their generations, Roger Federer and Serena Williams, once again showed that why they have been able to combine for 29 Grand Slams singles title: when in good head spaces, they are resilient and able to [...]
Bashers line up in Madrid finals
While much of the rest of the field slipped and slided their way out of Madrid, four players who can bang the ball on the super fast so-called clay court have reached the final. Roger Federer, who has proved he can play on anything, anytime, anywhere, smoked Janko Tipsarevic 6-2 6-3 to set up a [...]
HIT LIST, Madrid version: Federer mutes Milos
Roger Federer d. Milos Raonic 4-6 7-5 7-6(4): The young Canadian had plenty of chances in the contest but went one of eight on break point opportunities. The court was playing super quick so much of the contest was about big serves, Federer’s excellent volleys and frequent net approaches, and who could hold the ball in [...]
Risky Olympic changes ahead in 2016
As I reported today on The Ticker on Tennis.com, the ITF has decided to change its qualifications rules for the 2016 Olympics. After the 2012 Games, a player must make himself or herself available to play Davis Cup or Fed Cup four times in an Olympic cycle. Currently, players only have to make themselves available for [...]
The lost way in San Jose
Tennis continues go ‘go global’ as it were, which means that there was enough interest in the ATP 500 sanction from Memphis to allow its owners to sell it to IMG and its partner and move it Rio, while at the same time deciding to kill a 124-year-old tournament in the San Francisco Bay Area, [...]
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