By: Nathan M. Cuny
Novak Djokovic is headlining tennis news once again, this time without even playing any tournaments. His most recent and largest accomplishment came after winning the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award. The award is similar to an Oscar for an actor, meaning Djokovic is an extremely popular athlete worldwide. Djokovic’s biggest rival Rafael Nadal won the award in 2011 after his remarkable year in 2010 where he won three grand slams. And of course Roger Federer has won the award several times—his first nomination came in 2004, then from 2005 through 2008 Federer won the award consecutively and received his last nomination in 2010.
Having tennis players win the Laureus Sportsman of the year award for nearly six straight years distinctly shows the growing impact of tennis in the world as a major sport. As the popularity of tennis rises so are its stars and the intensity of the matches. Players like No.1 Novak Djokovic and No.2 Rafael Nadal are constantly making history, like in this year’s Australian Open finals match, which was the longest Grand Slam final ever. [READ MORE].
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This was a heavier blow for Federer than it was for the Swiss team. Federer doesn’t just represent the Swiss Tennis Association, he represents the pinnacle of the game on a global level. He’s the almost too perfect international representative handling the ambassadorial duties with out the official title and he does a brilliant job. He continues to shatter records in various categories with each match played. {READ MORE].
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Talk about a shocker over there in Switzerland in the Davis Cup match that featured singles matches between Warwrinka and Fish then Federer and Isner. USA led by my former boss Captain Jim Courier was able to capture BOTH matches on an indoor clay court! Fish battled back from two sets to one down to win in 5, Isner somehow dismantled the Federer serve after the third set tiebreak and won in 4 sets! [READ MORE].
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Federer lost to John Isner in 4 sets today to hand a 2-0 lead to USA in the Davis Cup tie. No doubt Isner played well but what was noteworthy to watch was the way Federer wilted under pressure. It has been long known that when it comes to playing pressure points, Federer has the tendency to become defensive and more often than not, he ends up losing the game or match against the top players.
Even today in the third set, inspite of having many break points, he lost the set. In the fourth set, after being unable to break Isner in the 5th game (3 break points opportunities), it was evident from his game that the desire to fight was missing. Result- Federer gave up and lost the set and match 2-6.Even his languid body language in itself pretty much told the entire story. Imagine the boost it must have given to Isner to see Federer so demotivated! [READ MORE].
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PTT PATTAYA OPEN – Thailand Tennis News
GDF SUEZ Open – Paris Tennis News
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10sballs.com’s
“10s Whenever” Newsletter, Vol. 48
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