Tennis

more dominant don't you? Do you think there's ever been a player as dominant as Federer?

2006-08-23 20:33:11 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-23 18:11:26 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-23 13:32:45 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-23 07:26:22 · 16 answers · asked by pseudocon 1

2006-08-23 07:24:14 · 2 answers · asked by archiephils@verizon.net 1

If so, what could they be used for?

2006-08-23 06:05:56 · 13 answers · asked by william k 2

2006-08-23 04:33:35 · 16 answers · asked by Arron never walk's alone 4

2006-08-23 03:59:47 · 3 answers · asked by notthesharpone 2

Also, how is it decided who will be given a wildcard in the qualifying tournament?

2006-08-23 03:31:03 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-23 02:01:17 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-23 00:42:11 · 14 answers · asked by Jeff B 1

Is there a bigger draw in tennis than legendary John McEnroe? When Johnny Mac comes to town, will you be at the Player's Club to see him?

Tennis great John McEnroe has had such a colorful career - peppered with equally colorful language - that his path is lined with innumerable entertaining stories. I'm not sure where to begin.


Perhaps one of my personal favorites occurred about 10 years ago, when Mac was starting his Senior's career at the Kensington Country Club in Naples. I will try to set the stage so you can appreciate what really happened on court against local favorite Johan Kriek. At this time, Kriek was on top of his game, but McEnroe was not quite so sharp.

As the match wore on, one fan - apparently a New Yorker - kept yelling, "John... you can do it!"

As Kriek won the first set and continued to lead in the second set, McEnroe grew more impatient and began to display his legendary temper.
"Come on," McEnroe yelled at himself as he slammed the ball down into the court.

Finally, as McEnroe trailed a set and a break, the New York fan again yelled, "You can do it, Mac!"

McEnroe lost his serve and sensed the match was slipping away. In the second set, he finally lost more than the game and yelled back at the fan, "Shut the **** up!"

For some strange reason, I was totally shocked when Mac blurted out those fateful words. On numerous occasions, I had seen McEnroe play at Flushing Meadows and he often created quite a stir. Most likely, I was surprised because I knew there was a enormous difference between a Grand Slam event and the Senior's Tour in Naples, Florida.

If we examine all of the great players in the game over the last 50 years, I do not believe there is any more compelling figure than John McEnroe. Whether it was his amazing skill on the court or his infamous temper, fans were glued to their seats to watch the show.

To me, John McEnroe is a magician with a tennis racket - his imagination draws in the audience. Ironically, in a losing effort during the French Open final against Ivan Lendl, McEnroe displayed his immense skills over and over again and I was truly riveted to the television set.

Had he not had a hiccup in that match, John McEnroe not only would have been a rare American French Open Champion, but he might have catapulted to the position of best player of our generation. As McEnroe mentioned in his autobiography, the Ivan Lendl/French Open comeback altered his rise to the top of the game. In other words, the French Open final had great significance in both McEnroe's and Lendl's careers.

Another fascinating aspect of McEnroe's tennis genius is that he was truly a fast court star as he continually served and volleyed his way to seven Grand Slam titles. Not only was he aggressive as a server, but he also was aggressive as a returner as he moved in quickly to dominate the net. But when we watched him over the last decade in Naples, he exhibited remarkable skill on our slow clay courts.

In a day where the modern player utilizes the looping semi-western forehand drive, McEnroe flashes the antithesis as with his compact continental forehand pokes and he jabbed his way to victory.

As current American star Andy Roddick stands 10 feet beyond the baseline and slings one topspin forehand drive after another, McEnroe stands on top of the baseline and leans forward to move into the net. As Roddick moves his opponent off the court with dashing power, McEnroe takes the short ball and comes into the net to volley a winner. Even though McEnroe shows off his magnificent physical talent, it is his intensity that attracts me. In a day where overpaid athletes often "mail-in" their efforts, John McEnroe grinds to the end. His passion to give his best effort truly separates him from the pack.

In the beginning of my journalistic career, I was apprehensive about interviewing this tennis icon. But to my delight, John McEnroe has been one of the most accommodating athletes that I have ever interviewed.

Once, when doing my old show, "Center Court Live," the public relations person - Steve Griffith - told me I had only a few minutes with McEnroe. However, once we began shooting the interview, John put no limits on his time. We spent more time talking about one of his great infatuations - music (his wife, Patty Smythe, has one of the great voices in music) - and he was more than gracious. He was playful and entertaining the entire time.

If you want to be thoroughly entertained for several days, come out and support the Jim Courier Seniors Tour beginning March 10 at the new Player's Club in the Lely Resort area in Naples. The men's field boasts some of the greats in the game: Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Aaron Krickstein and more.
And, of course, Johnny Mac.

Doug Browne is the Hideaway Beach Director of Tennis and the Community Tennis Association President. Doug and his wife Leslie have enjoyed teaching players of all abilities at Hideaway Beach for over a decade. He can be reached by e-mail at DBrowne912@aol.com.



©Marco Island Sun Times 2006

2006-08-22 18:17:29 · 11 answers · asked by william k 2

Tennis tryouts last over two days here, and the first day was today. I lost both matches today, even though I know that I could have won. I thought it was nerves, but then I realized I wasn't really nervous. I have practiced recently, and beaten these people. I hadn't eaten lunch, but I didn't even feel hungy. Any suggestions for tomorrow (other than eat lunch, obviously.)

2006-08-22 17:51:21 · 3 answers · asked by dudefungame 2

2006-08-22 14:13:21 · 17 answers · asked by Foo C 1

There are quite a bit out there, and I need to know what the best type are for hardcourt matches. Thank You

2006-08-22 12:36:06 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous

I am a beginner player in tennis. But my technique sucks. Does anyone know any free online video tutorials that can help me get better? Any help is appreciated

2006-08-22 12:33:34 · 5 answers · asked by russianguyfrombrooklyn 2

2006-08-22 12:00:41 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

Which tennis stringing machine is best to buy?
Thanks for your advise!!!

2006-08-22 10:24:42 · 11 answers · asked by Ace 2

2006-08-22 05:58:13 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-22 05:56:44 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-22 05:23:39 · 2 answers · asked by arkansas_queen08 1

2006-08-22 03:43:49 · 12 answers · asked by sarabjeet gogia 1

Would be a nice right/left handed combo and just for a few tournaments a year.

2006-08-22 03:16:19 · 9 answers · asked by ATR999 2

2006-08-22 03:04:44 · 25 answers · asked by getalife 2

1)"You can't be serious"
2)" I learned a lesson today, I am just not sure what it is"
3) "If you believe her claim (Anna Kornukova) that she is a virgin , then I never questioned a line call in my life."
4) " I have to put ten or twenty percent of my appearance money away, for when I break a racket during the tournament"
5)" This is hard to watch, we are watching a guy who never beats himself totally choke away the last four games"

2006-08-21 22:41:02 · 3 answers · asked by messtograves 5

Hi Everyone,
I am building a tennis search engine and wanted to get your feedback. What kind of categories would you like to see in there?
Would love to hear some feedback. I figured that since this is a tennis forum, it would be great to ask what people need & want.

Thanks.

2006-08-21 22:01:42 · 9 answers · asked by a_intl 1

2006-08-21 21:11:15 · 11 answers · asked by Sanjay S 2

What is different between oversize and normal one (usage in march)? Thanks a lot!

2006-08-21 19:35:52 · 7 answers · asked by duongphh 2

And others ask questions that are not on the topic of tennis. But I have to admit; some are funny.

2006-08-21 19:18:26 · 14 answers · asked by william k 2

2006-08-21 18:48:57 · 3 answers · asked by jan_dxtr 1