The Aussie Bunch

   One of the first things that drew me to this sport was the tournament format. I have always adored it since back in the day when I would write out the entire 128 men's and women’s draw from the micro-scribble in the very back of the news paper. I would study them and draw up possible scenarios only to realize that after the two weeks were complete, I wasn’t even close.  I’d always find a way to eliminate the top seed in the round of 16. It was an extreme act stupidity veiled by a futile attempt to look brilliant.

 Why did I preface my draw analysis with the above paragraph? To let me off the hook when I fall on my face in the paragraphs to follow. Let’s start with what I deem to be the tougher draw to call…

THE WOMEN

First Quarter
This is actually a tricky one. Headed by Azarenka and Errani but Im calling an upset of Errani in round one to Navarro. BAM… I did that! While big hitters Kuznetsova and Vesina are around to make things interesting in the quarters I have

Azarenka taking out Wozniacki

Match to watch is of course Wozniacki vs Lisicki in round one. This is a rather unfortunate draw for both ladies. 

Second Quarter
A bit bottom heavy. It’s hard not seeing Serena shredding her way to the quarters with hardly even dropping games. The recently engaged Kirilenko will be Serena’s toughest test.  The bottom is a bit different. The last three names alone are Robson, Schiavone and Kvitova. Throw in American hopeful Sloane Stephens and it’s a pickem. I do see Kvitova though making it through.

CANADIAN REPORT!!!!  Rebecca Marino is in this quarter facing off against Peng of China.

Ready for this, Kvitova taking out Serena in a SHOCKER!!!  I realize I am the only writer in North America  eliminating Serena  and I’m doing it in the quarters! Truth is, if you are going to get to Serena, before the final weekend of a slam is your best shot.

Third Quarter
Another interesting slice of the draw here. While Radwanska and Li Na head up the seeds you will also find Jankovic and Ivanovic on a possible third round collision course. As well as talented yet underachieving Sorana Cirstea and of course home town girl Stosur who I believe is not at 100% this year. Despite the name power and a spirited effort by Ivanovic, I am calling

Radwanska to take out Na in the quarters. Radwanska is playing lights out these days.

Fourth Quarter
Not the most stacked section in the draw. Led by number two seed Sharapova and Germany’s  Kerber it’s hard not seeing these two in the quarters. Big match alert in round three however could be Venus vs Maria.

Sharapova over Kerber to make the semis.

 So my semi final and final picks are as follows
Azarenka over Kvitova
Sharapova over Radwanska (in a three set toss up)

CHAMPION: AZARENKA
I think she will defend her Australian open title by once again beating Maria in the finals. This match however, will be a closer than the 2012 tilt.  

THE MEN

First Quarter
To me, with the exception of some mid-bracket, modest intrigue, this one seems very black and white. Stepanek and Troicki seems to be the first rounder with the most potential. I like Wawrinka’s ability to pull off a big upset but I don’t see it happening here. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume the “top 10” Berdych will show up and make the quarters.

Djokovic will sneeze and find himself in the final 8. I’ll take Djokovic over Berdych based on his 11-1 record against the Czech.

 Second Quarter
I find this to be a fun quarter if nothing else. This is an open section if you ask me. There is a handful of guys that could break through here. The round one main event is Tipsarevic vs veteran and hometown hero, Lleyton Hewitt. It will be a tough ask of the Aussie to take out the under rated Serb. Can Dimitrov finally make his move? Will Nishikori return to form after battling injury? I think he is a wild card in this quarter and can make the quarters but I will not bet against Ferrer. He is just too good. In the bottom I’m going on a limb and taking Almagro  who I could also see out in round one… sheesh… so hard.

Ferrer over Almagro

Third Quarter
So if they could re-draw this tournament, they would have. The bottom half of this year’s Aussie is where most of the big boys will clash. This will be a Murray / Del Potro quarter. With respect to Cilic, The Dog and Simon, they best step aside and make way for these two US Open Champions.

I’m a big fan of DelPo and think this year will be big for him but I taking Murray in 5

Fourth Quarter
Again another quarter of awesome talent.

First round upset prediction  Llodra taking out the former semi finalist Tsonga!

I think some character players here like Haas, and Kohlschreiber could make solid runs.  Raonic warning!!!! The Talented Raonic is no one’s favorite draw and Federer could have the misfortune of a round of 16 clash with the Canadian. Boy does Federer ever get tough draws.

Calling for a Federer win over Gasquet in the Quarters

So my semi final and final picks are as follows

Djokovic over Ferrer
Federer over Murray 

CHAMPION: Djokovic will win his 3^rd straight Australian Open

I  think the Serb’s draw to the finals is quite habitual. If you look at Murray, he will have to go through DelPo, Federer and Djokovic and I cannot see that happening. Never rule out Federer but this slam is a hot one and at some point I have to assume that it will slow him down a smidge… but maybe not with him, who knows.

In the end I am picking a women’s and men’s repeat of 2012. Let’s see how bad I mess these predictions up.

See you in two weeks.

Canada Is Ready To Soar

It’s a changing world in tennis. The Roger era is SLOWLY closing down, the Roger/Rafa era seems to be following behind it. A decade of status quo is dying out slowly and replacing it, well it’s still unknown. One thing is for sure you can include Canada in the mix.

It’s an exciting time for Canadian tennis fans. For the first time in 120 years it would appear that we are poised to stamp our spot on the tennis globe. YES, I just wrote 120 years, good grief.

So how far is Canada going in an attempt to become a certified elite powerhouse nation in the sport? Sky’s the limit.  There is a buzz in this country unlike any time before it and while the accomplishments of doubles genius Daniel Nestor should never be underappreciated with Tennis Canada’s accomplishments, what is on the horizon may even be greater. 

Tennis Canada was formed in 1890 and has at times, to be quite honest, stumbled along in a self induced trance before reinventing itself recently. Along with fresh and talented faces on court the behind the scenes workings of Tennis Canada has catapulted the country into a nation of hope. The local tennis courts are abuzz, the major sports networks are suddenly interested and the papers and water coolers are, more than ever, rife with baseline interest. 

Just prior to the US Open, I turned on my local sports radio station and joined in progress an interview with a Sports Illustrated Writer Jon Wertheim who couldn’t help praising the future of Tennis in Canada. In fact he went so far as to say he would trade the American prospects for the Canadian ones right now if he could! Was he just flattering us? Maybe but nevertheless It was music to my ears. While it is true American tennis has been suffering for about a decade on the men’s side, they still are the most successful nation by a country mile when it comes to on court success. While you compare that to Canada, you are looking at polar opposites of the spectrum. What has Canada done in this sport? What haven’t the Americans done? Two questions with very opposite yet scathingly clear answers.

That being said, I AM IN!!!! Canada vs the USA. A western world rivalry in tennis. Sounds good to me. There has never been a time in the history of the sport where Canada could claim to be on par with the big Red White and Blue. While there is still a clear uncertainty of how players will evolve at the pro level, something that can never in any sport be predicted, there is optimism and unmistakable talent to be genuinely enthused by.  

Just last year at Davis Cup, Canada took a bold stance and voiced their confidence going into the first round tie with the heavily favored and stacked French team. Gavin Ziv, Director of National Events in Canada, was instrumental in hyping up the nation. He even took a bit of heat for it when ads featured Milos Raonic posters with the tag of "Hey France, I’ve got a 151 m.p.h. serve. Try returning that with a baguette." While many saw it as blind optimism or PR tactics, I couldn’t help but think “FINALLY”! That was exactly what we needed. We need some confidence, arrogance, energy, and support. We have a lot to be proud of and it was time the world but more importantly the country knew this. In the end the French team was too tough and deep down I think Mr. Ziv knew this but it did not matter. A red and white maple leaf dawning beast was awakened after a fairytale length slumber of over 100 years. (it's hard to write cause whenever you say “100 years” in a story its usually an exaggeration… NOPE!)

At the moment, Milos Raonic is shouldering quite a load with a nations full of dreams. That being said, to watch him, to hear him, to know him, can anyone be doing this better? I liken him to another great Canadian athlete Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky was more than just a talent in the NHL, he was an ambassador, a leader, a role model. He took the high road on every travel and spoke with sincerity and intelligence. Does that sound like anyone? With all that being said, while Milos continues to inspire, he is also starting to feel the wrath of the Canadian fans as they are expecting more and more. We are not hoping for a good match against Federer, we want a win. We aren’t looking for a spirited effort against Murray, we want that Brit out in straights and this is the way it should be! This is the New Tennis attitude in Canada. The edgy fans represent a great thing, passion for a game that has for many years slipped through the cracks. 

It doesn’t just end with Milos however. Vasek Pospisil is emerging as a wonderful talent under this Canadian umbrella. And in case that isn’t enough for you let me say two words Filip Peliwo. The 2012 season will be one to remember for BC native Filip Peliwo who took part in all four grand slam junior finals finishing runner up in Australia and France but claiming Wimbledon and US Open championships in the latter part of the season. A huge accomplishment for anyone let alone a Canadian. Peliwo feels as though he is knocking on the door and seems poised to have a great career. While expectations are great for the youngster, many players have won junior accolades before and went away like a bad Rusedski nightmare.  

And let’s not forget those women. The depth may not be as strong yet but if Eugenie Bouchard of Quebec continues on her road to success, that may be the spark needed. Bouchard hoisted her very own junior Wimbledon title in 2012 becoming the first Canadian to do so. She also won the doubles title for the second straight year at the all England Club and did so each year with different partners. 

While many more are deserving of praise the bottom line is the future in Canada looks, for the first time, extremely promising. A debt of gratitude goes out to the talented stars on the court but also the coaches and leaders off the court. Most of all, thank you Tennis Canada for making right the years of wrong. For turning the misfortunes of a tennis nation around the right way, at the grass roots level. It’s comforting to know that there is finally a solid program in place with people who care about the sport. So rest Daniel Nestor, rest up. It must have been excruciatingly tough carrying the Canadian banner by yourself for a decade and a half.

So I want to get back to my first point, Canada vs America. I think its time we called out our neighbors to the south and challenge them. They never shy from a challenge. Tennis Canada vs the USTA, The Maple Leaf vs the Stars and Stripes. There is some work to do here as we are dealing with the most successful tennis country but that’s the point. I love it. I think this is the very thing that can get a fair-weather tennis fan riled up and drawn into the greatest game in the world. Canada vs the USA… I say bring it!!

Impressions of Andy

When I first saw Roddick I was not impressed - young, brash. Here we go again. He had that punk attitude. Maybe the resemblance to the American Pie character “Stiffler” was the tipping point. Whatever it was, I was not looking forward to having this brat lead tennis for the next 10 years. Now in hindsight I didn’t need to worry as well, it turns out it wouldn’t have been a bad thing.

I remember watching him lose to Sampras in the 2002 Open while clinching my fist together shouting “YES” to his dismissal. Never a fan of fiery, hot-heads in any sport, I already grew sick of his bickering, smart ass, snarky comments and cockiness on the court.

This was going to be a long span in Tennis where I’d have to somehow find a way to watch and take in all the splendor of the sport while ignoring the best player in the world.

Then my worst nightmare, 2003 Andy Roddick wins the US Open championship and all I remember hearing was “the future of American tennis has arrived”. All I remember thinking was “wake me up when he departs.” Truth was, I liked his game, I didn’t like the guy or at least the persona that was being put forth to the public.

Then came Wimbledon 2004. I was on vacation in Florida and I remember leaving my beautiful other half alone on the beach while I went back to the hotel room to watch the finals between Andy Roddick and Roger Federer. Andy’s best match, ended in a loss for the American. My love for this Federer guy along with my distain for this American made this a favorable result in my eyes. Then the mic was handed over to Andy and he shouts out the now famous "I threw the kitchen sink at him but he went to the bathroom and got his tub.” It made me laugh. It made me feel for the guy. To quote the Winter Warlock “My icy heart…it’s melting” how could this be? NOOOOO!

That same summer I saw Andy play the Rogers Cup in Toronto. It would end up being my only time seeing him play live. I couldn’t help be impressed. The speed of his shots, his intensity… he was winning me over. Still he’d open his mouth from time to time and do what he does best, speak his mind. Sometimes he made me laugh and sometimes I wanted to forget my ears ever took in his mumbo jumbo. Point is… the hate was gone.

My impressions of Andy in the prime of his career were softer than before. Still not appreciative yet of his color and comedy, I was definitely not hating him being around. And while yes, he was on the wrong end of his matches with Federer, which I loved, he was showing something. Andy was clearly number 2 in the world by a long shot but there was not one ball struck or one game played or one match contested where he looked content with that. He played every match like he was born to play this sport. Never backing down or making any excuses… umm well, excluding the clay season and French Open. The other thing that was becoming clear is that I was WRONG! Maybe a bit bratty, definitely brash but this was no spoiled punk. Andy was coming out on the wrong end of slams far more than he should have and yet the class and dignity he showed in his losses was huge. I like sportsmanship. Idolizing Gretzky as a child taught me how an athlete should act and carry himself. That childhood impression has stuck with me all my life. Call me sappy but that’s how I like my sports. Andy had a way, unlike many before or after, to express his anger yet show respect to his opponent, sport and in turn, to himself. It is not easy to have a microphone thrown in front of your mush after a heart breaking loss…again and again. Sometimes he was a bit crass but most time he was 100% honest and factual. He had every reason in the world to hate Federer yet he stood in front of the media after crushing losses and praised the Swiss as a player and person. Not sure how many of us realize how incredibly hard that is to do. Even though behind closed doors some racquets probably met their harsh and painful demise and late at night a tear or two was shed, the bottom line was my first impressions of Andy, maybe at the time were somewhat accurate, but by this point in his career, were out right wrong and I was happy about that.

Once the Roger/Rafa era was in full effect, Andy accepted his place as a top 5 or top 10 player rather than a top 2. For me this was hard to accept. In my mind he was more than capable of winning slams still and even taking chunks out of the big two. As time passed however, Andy was slipping. Always capable of beating anyone any day, but just not breaking through anymore with the regularity we were accustomed to.

2009…Wimbledon… the rivalry renewed. Andy vs Roger. Federer going for his record breaking 15^th slam, Andy trying for his first and long overdue Wimbledon Title. The match was brilliant. How could any match possibly follow up the ‘08 final which saw Nadal win his 1^st ever Wimbledon? Andy played a near flawless match. That has been said before in tennis but I’m not sure it’s ever been quite so accurate. Andy Roddick failed in his last Wimbledon finals in a match where he was broken just once. JUST ONCE! Andy Roddick was broken on serve once in the whole match and it cost him a grand slam title! That is excruciatingly hard to digest as a fan let alone as Andy. Yet once again, even though and I’m guessing here, he wanted to kill Roger Federer in front of all the world while he gave his acceptance speech, Andy found it within himself to show class and poise and lose like a man. If you ask me, like a champion.

Andy’s legacy was dealt a tough blow with Federer constantly taking the glory but Andy said it best when he claimed that all his losses made him the man he is today. I think back at a time in tennis when a brilliant player, such as Andy, was so short changed with grand slam victories and the sad truth is, there has never been such a travesty. Andy’s one grand slam title came at a time when the world thought he was the new face of tennis and that slams would be pouring in. In my opinion, I give Andy 6 slams if Federer wasn’t around. 3 Wimbledon’s, 2 US Opens and 1 Aussie. That is just my modest opinion. It would have put him on pace with the Edbergs and Beckers of the tennis world. That’s a great spot for him.

So while that isn’t going to happen I think it’s important that we look past the slams. Slams are a huge part of tennis but an even bigger part is being an ambassador for the game. Andy was that. Not just to Americans but worldwide. His movie star looks, his larger than life persona, Andy drew you in. He was the most entertaining player at every expo and charity event. He even played tennis with a frying pan for crying out loud. He did wonders for his country in Davis Cup and just being a leader. He carried his nation on his back during some lean years in American tennis and did it with tremendous class. While most could see the end coming it was still crushing to hear the words. “I’ll be retiring” But when Andy stepped out on Ashe Stadium for his, possible last match, with Tomic, it seemed all was well. With the crowed, his box and even Andy on court. It was hard to think that this could be it cause you think back about all the great memories with him especially at night on Ashe. So what happens next? Andy crushes his opponent and sends everyone home happy for just one more night.

Andy’s last bow came. Fittingly, on Ashe when he was dismissed by the ever gracious Del Potro.

In the end my lasting memories of Andy are many. The most quotable tennis star ever. A hard working dedicated leader, a smart and entertaining player. A man who won too little given his talent and potential but most of all I’ll always look back and fondly recall the Roddick days as some of the greatest in the spots history for all the reasons mentioned above. A presence that will be missed. All the greats retire, it’s the nature of sport, heck, it’s the way of life. In the end though, only a select few on this planet get to leave legacies as great as Andy’s, for that I’m sure he is grateful, and for that I know us tennis fans sure are.

Andy may have only won one slam but tennis won an all time great.

I bet this guy knows how to retire! 

                                        a Great Andy Moment

From a Djok to a Riddle

From A Djok to a Riddle

Well the score line reads 7-5, 6-3 and the winner steps to the center of the court with his arms raised. A finalist is crowned and a champion is sent packing. Rogers Cup 2007. The man sent home was the number 2 seed Rafa Nadal in a shocking upset. The man moving on was the Serb on a long awaited rise to the top Novak Djokovic. Up untill now, his potential was talked about more than demonstrated but this was the weekend that changed everything. In the finals was the immovable object, 11 time grand slam champion and current Wimbledon champion Roger Federer.

Up until this point, Federer’s was a perfect 4-0 against the Serb and hardly contested. I remember watching some of their matches and thinking, this guy’s game plays right in to Federer’s perfectly. That being said, Djokovic took his career in to his hands and disposed of the Swiss in a tight three set match winning the Canadian Rogers Cup in most impressive fashion. Taking down Roddick, Nadal then Federer, from that point on an elite top three player was solidified.

After winning the Rogers cup Djokovic followed it up with a US Open final in which he lost in three competitive sets to Roger Federer. Now it was official, Djokovic in a final was no longer a surprising result.  Ironically after his Aussie title in 08 began the slight undoing of the Serb.. His fun light hearted imitations were not nearly as appreciated by his peers as they were by his fans. Even his on court comments and actions led to some of his fans turning on him in some cases stadiums. even his parents became an issue to some degree. He was turning into the new bad boy of tennis, but there was one problem. Unlike John McEnroe in the early 80’s who thrived under that title, Djokovic was buckling under it.

While it’s fair to say that with Federer and Nadal ruling the landscape, no one could fault Novak for being a distant third, in fact he was even one win away from overtaking Nadal at one point and claiming the number 2 slot. However, he was easily the red headed step child of the three. And after a couple of years it appeared that it was going to stay that way. I recall watching the US Open where questions were being raised to Brad Gilbert about whether he thought Novak would ever take a slam again. BG Said “yes” but his time had to be now! 

So this was the time. Djokovic needed to be asserting himself as “the man” and he was double faulting more than he was acing. Still the forever number 3 player pulled off Masters titles here and there and when he did it seemed par for the course. No one got too excited nor did they down play it. He was a solid threat! A genuine, bonifyed slam threat but really, the way things were going, that was all.

So then 2011 happens… Who called this? Novak Djokovic puts up one of the best seasons in tennis history claiming 3 slams including his first Wimbledon and US Open. He won a record breaking 5 Masters Events and 10 titles in total. The Serb also became the number 1 player in the world during this time and did it by dominating his equals.  He beat Nadal 6 straight times, all in finals. He took a decisive edge in the matches against rivals Federer and Murray. He outright dominated the rest of the  ATP unlike anyone other than Federer’s 04,05and 06 seasons.  When he took to the court, he seemed unbeatable. His serve was clutch, his speed was impossible to hit around, his returns reached epic status and his aura of invincibility was off the charts. Just ask Federer who lost the US Open semi while serving and holding two match points.

While as the year progressed Djoko came slightly down to Earth, he continued to surpass the expectations of almost anyone in the sport. Commentators struggled to answer “how” Media were scrambling to seek the answers “why” How did he get so good so fast? Why was he able to turn things around? Let’s remember this was a guy who had a reputation of calling trainers, pulling out of matches and called mentally weak. It’s crazy to think that he went from all that to becoming the most mentally imposing man on the tour and that included Nadal, just ask him yourself.

So here we are all cozy and acclimatized in 2012. A season nowhere near the standards of 2011 but the start was something different all together. It seemed like we were heading for a repeat early on.

The Australian Open of 2012 was for me the greatest slam Djokovic won. While it seemed early on that he was at his form from a year ago, he entered the semis and played good friend and last year’s finalist, Andy Murray. The route from 2011 was a memory as Murray took the Serb to a 5^th set where Djokovic prevailed 7-5. Some would argue if he was the better man on the day. Then the finals, against Nadal of course. Nadal took the 4^th set in a hard fought breaker to force a 5^th set. After getting an early break, Nadal was poised to end the reign of the Serb and re-claim a slam for himself. It looked like Djoko was hurt, ailing, playing up hill, in sand and yet, against all the sanity of the sport, he won the match. It was after that match I believed he was a champion that long after he is done, will be regarded as one of the best. That win said so much about his heart and it once again served notice to the field that they were in for a long year.

But something happened after that. Maybe the struggles against Murray and Nadal should have tipped us off but it’s not like they were hacks incapable of taking sets from Novak. All that considered, 2011 that was in fact the case.In 2011 Novak was an unbelievable 12-2 against the other big four. 2012 he is 5-6. Not to mention when Nole was winning matches in early rounds last season, he was bageling left right and center.

Nokak defended his Miami title but other than the 2 mentioned, he has struggled to win titles. Yet every time we see him in a tournament, he is a favorite. His legacy of a year past earns him the “favorite” title. But is he? Certainly not in on the clay where he struggled to equal last year’s results. Not on the grass where he was tossed aside by the ageing Federer and even in the Olympics where he failed to medal. Novak was able to ride last season’s wave and have us ignore the signs before us but three quarters in to the season, there is no place left to hide.

While the aura seems to dissipate more with every tournament played and lost, one has to wonder what is the place of Novak in the game for the coming years. Is this just a blip on the radar or was last season the, rather large, blip?

When you look at it, and I have at great lengths, this guy is just hard to figure out. I don’t think he’s going anywhere and I think he needs this follow up year to end so he can reset himself. However, he needs something to end this season on a positive. When you look closely you see the Novak of 07-10 right now. You see a strong tennis force, who can do it all and beat anyone he plays. You see a guy full of promise and determination, but like those years, you also see someone who can lose and someone who is beatable in any round. There are two huge differences however. One is, his game and mental attitude are far more superior now than before. That is, hands down, an understatement. But two, his aura. The one that he painstakingly built for himself climbing every ring of the success ladder last season. It’s stayed intact up until now buts it’s cracked. It is damaged in a grand way. It's easily fixed cause once you build it, it’s part of you but it is on the verge of shattering. When it does, will he be able to or even desire to rebuild it? Something his rival Federer has done better than anyone else.

My point is, look at Novak Djokovic this season and do all you can to try and forget about last season, just for arguments sake.  Don’t you see that third wheel that played behind Federer and Nadal all those years? The guy is more than capable of winning but also easily capable of the quiet exit? That is what I see. The question I pose is, what is next? He is healthy, in his prime and knows how to be a champion, but what road is he travelling on? I think I am writing a blog on the 2012 US Open champion, but in mid September when a clearer picture is before us, maybe I am writing about the guy who everyone is talking about for all the wrong reasons. Like last season but in a totally different context “what's with Djokovic”?