Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal Have A Bromance / Gladys Heldman formed the WTA

Written by: Lovey on 12th July 2013

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal Have A Bromance / Gladys Heldman formed the WTA

epa03761322 Swiss Roger Federer returns to Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine during their second round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 26 June 2013. EPA/TOM HEVEZI |

Roger Federer loves to compete. He loves the roar of the crowd. He loves that he and Rafa share a respectful rivalry. Rafael was blessed that Roger welcomed his younger challenger. They both had a dear friend in common. A great friend to tennis and the ATP in Vittorio Selmi.( a guardian of the Game ) The respect has always been mutual even when they didn’t always see eye to eye. Two true champions !

I’ve just finished watching a ton of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer utubes. There are so many great ones. There’s hundreds of great moments captured for all time. The trophy ceremonies one smiling one crying. There’s the commercial when they got the ” giggles ”

What I realize is that if we had youtube back 40 years ago when the WTA was formed I wouldn’t be daily reminding the world that Gladys Heldman formed the WTA. Stacey Alistair are you listening ? It was Gladys! Gladys ! Gladys! Billie Jean King was her star player and an ardent supporter. But Billie Jean King didn’t form the WTA. Ask her ? Ask Rosie ? Ask any of the group of players that formed what is now the most popular and lucrative women’s sport on the planet !

If we had youtube and cellphones all the original group would have text, tweeted , and emailed and insta-grammed it for posterity.

This week Arthur Ashe would have turned 70. Arthur was such a brilliant man. He was a great athlete and a true gentleman. He was great in almost every way. A true hero. Those who knew him will always miss his wisdom and wit . We hope he isn’t remembered by being lumped into great black athletes. That’s like putting Nat King Cole in with the rest of the piano players or singers. ( check exhibit in Richmond)

Big congrats to all the Hall of Famers in Newport Rhode Island this weekend. It’s some heavy hitters in the induction class. Ion Tiriac. Charlie Pasarell. Martina Hingis. Cliff Drysdale and Thelma Coyne Long.

Watch it on tennis channel on Saturday.

Topics: Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King, Charlie Pasarell, Glady's Heldman, Hall of Fame. Newport Rhode Island, Ion Tiriac, Martina Hingis, Rafa, roger, Roger Federer. Rafael Nadal, Tennis, Wta

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