As many of you know I have a love
for the sport of tennis, and I have been immensely enjoying watching the
coverage of the Australian Open on ESPN2 and The Tennis Channel (TTC). As a U.S. Tennis Association &
Intercollegiate Tennis Association umpire I always look forward to this time of
year, as it means the beginning of the college tennis season http://www.itatennis.com as well as my
favorite of the slam events.
I agree with Serena Williams, in
that the Australian Open is my favorite too, and that is without even having
ever been to Melbourne, let alone on court or in the locker room. My love of it
is partially due to Australia’s love of the game (having been there during the
US Open once); the fact that Roland Garros is Paris, Wimbledon (my 2nd
favorite) is London, & the US Open is New York City (complete with Brian
Williams, John McEnroe and fingernails screetching down a chalkboard), while
The Australian is a much exotic creature: I love it “Down Unda.” (20 Jan 2013 addition: after winning her match Makarova was asked why she plays so well there and she replied: "the fresh food..." - apparently so many venues don't have that. I realize part of my love for this event stems from the fact that its winter here and "days of summer" there... makes one optimistic for the return of the sun up north too).
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| Hampton |
Last evening I was watching the TTC
coverage of Victoria Azarenka (BLR) and Jamie Hampton (USA). Unfortunately,
Martina Navratilova was providing color commentary. She was a great player… who
jis probably my least favorite announcer: she just won’t shut-up when the mic
is on. I give thanks for the “mute button” and often zero out the volume
altogether. Yesterday, before reducing decibels I heard her pontificate about
Hampton’s tennis growth, indicating that she’d played college tennis and was in
catch-up mode. Jamie played tennis at Auburn High School (Alabama), not Auburn
University, graduated in 2008 and turned pro the following year (not much time
for a collegiate career). With John Mc, & Tracey Austin (sometimes they’ll
get-on about something and just won’t let-it-go), they are the weak links of
tennis coverage her at home in The States.
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| Patrick McEnroe |
Fortunately we have some good ones:
Mary Carillo, Cliff Drysdale, Justin Gimelstob & Patrick McEnroe come
immediately to mind.. and we have some truly remarkable & great players to watch:
Enjoy the Games, mates!
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| Tsonga |
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