Roger Federer and the Top 15 Shot-Makers of the Last 25 Years

When we talk about  the best “shot-makers” in men’s tennis, not all of us will be defining the term the same way. For our purposes here we blend pure aesthetics with compulsory success.  Each man selected won at least one major. Britain’s Tim Henman, for example, played superlative tennis, but he did not succeed on the biggest stages where ultimately all tennis players... 

Women’s Tennis Power Rankings: Aussie Kim Rules After Winning Down Under

The 2011 Australian Open’s evolving storyline for the ladies never ceased as one drama after another unfolded both on and off court. First and foremost, Serena Williams, defending champion, still injured, decided to withdraw before the tournament Down Under got underway.  Sister Venus Williams hobbled briefly into Melbourne, eliminated when she could no longer move. At that point, the elder... 

Australian Open 2011 Wrap-Up: Novak Djokovic, the New King Down Under

2007 Remember the U.S. Open in 2007?  Remember how happy Novak Djokovic was and how happy he made the New York crowds with his impersonations of the top players like Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Roger Federer and even Rafael Nadal? While the guys growled, seemingly a little scratchy about his antics, Sharapova loved it and even sat in the Serb’s box with his parents!  Life was good... 

2011 Aussie Reflections: No Endgame in Play for Fiery Roger Federer

The thought of Novak Djokovic’s mom once again pronouncing gleefully, “The King is dead!” might have been the ultimate capper on an already miserable 2011 Australian Open semifinal for Roger Federer fans. That magical moment from the 2008 Australian Open still sends shivers of revulsion down the spines of a legion of the Maestro’s avid supporters.  While that did not happen... 

Australian Open 2011: Will Andy Murray Join Novak Djokovic in the Final?

Their names roll off the tongue easily like Simon and Garfunkel, Abbott and Costello, Batman and Robin—Djokovic and Murray. It is hard to say one name without adding the other.  They are linked inevitably as part of the current tennis landscape because they have existed as backups to the top two guys, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Like the ingenue treading the boards waiting backstage... 

Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal: The Most Compelling Rivalry in Tennis

Great rivalries engage fans, stir the media, and swell attendance.  It does not matter if the contenders meet in the ring, on the gridiron or on the fabled lawns of Wimbledon.  When the two rivals stare each other down before the game begins, the outcome rivets our attention. In the Open Era of tennis, fans flocked to watch Borg vs. McEnroe, Evert vs. Navratilova––or feel free... 

Roger Federer: How the Australian Open 2011 Helped Shape His Legendary Career

Winning this year’s Australian Open conceivably paves the way for a great year for Roger Federer, allowing him to win his fifth Australian Open title in 12 years of hard-fought competition in Melbourne Park. Except for 2010, Federer’s most productive years came when he started the year by winning the Australian Open. Federer has won six Wimbledon titles, five U.S. Open Championships,... 

Australian Open: The All-Time Top 10 Women’s Champions

Most of the ladies crowned as champions of the Australian Open hailed primarily from Australia back in the early days of this prestigious tennis tournament. Distance from European capitals and the United States kept the Australian Open a happening mainly for locals, although there were foreign winners from time to time. Overall Australians have won 43 Australian Open titles, 33 during the Amateur Era... 

The All-Time Top 20 Men’s Australian Open Champions

It used to take 45 days on a ship to get to Australia from Europe. For that reason, in the early days, the Australian Championships were not well-attended by players outside of Australia and, at times, or even by their own players.  But as the world grew smaller, the importance of this colorful slam down under grew until now it ranks up there with the other three, receiving the attention from... 

Australian Open 2011: How the Women’s Field Stacks Up Against Caroline Wozniacki

It is redundant to repeat that the women’s field in Melbourne is wide open.  This is because the 2010 defending Australian Open Champion Serena Williams is not competing, The media has already taken a big bite out of the No. 1 seed, Caroline Wozniacki, finding her lacking in seasoning, flavor and a coup d’etat at any major. Previously, the pundits did the same thing to Jelena Jankovic... 

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