Glib Journalists on the Russian Ban

 Tennis.com 

From a safe place and distance, Western journalists and politicians virtue signal and glibly demand that Russian players criticize their government risking prison or worse.

Nadal to Play Madrid

Nadal - Madrid

Novak Can Play Wimbledon

 Most of the Tennis articles are critical of Novak for still not getting the vax.  They ignore the fact that the rules have changed at Wimbledon and possibly the French Open.

He can play.

Rosewall VS Nadal for Longevity in the top 10

Ken Rosewall spent 25 consecutive years in the top 10. Why is the ATP ranking the only one treated as legitimate?

Nadal top 10 ATP Record - 17 years

Rosewall top 10 Men's Tennis Record - 25 consecutive years 

Rublev overcomes Djokovic at Serbian Open

 

There will be a shift change, or as some call it, a changing of the guard. These are early indicators, and it always happens unless a top player retires early. I still expect Novak to return to top form after getting the AO mistreatment and not being able to come to the US thanks to the mandates. Some of the points were amazing, and both of them were very tired by the end of the match. I noticed that Novak had lost his footing which is uncharacteristic so I think he was fatigued and slower by a step.

Maria Sharapova is going to have a child

 Maria Pregnant

Congratulations

Russian Players Banned from Wimbledon - Medvedev

 This is bizarre.  Why blame individuals for the actions of a dictator. 

Banned

Serving Underhand - is it a good strategy

It is legal and it can be effective.  Is it ethical?  Back before the '80s it was often considered disrespectful to use it and I  never saw it on TV in Professional Tennis until the '80s.  The first time I remember seeing it was Chang using it on Lendl in a final.  He so flustered and angered Lendl that he ended up winning a match that he didn't look likely to win.

I used it in High School against those opponents standing back at the fence to bring them back in. I'd only resort to it if they were effectively soaking up my serves by backing up to the fence. I usually only employed it once a match and asked the opponent if they were ready before announcing the score and serving. I made the announcement so they couldn't claim that they weren't ready. 

Now as a senior, it's almost like going nuclear if you use it against another senior.  If you play someone younger and they use it, well they really want to win.  If you use it first, then expect treatment in kind.

The better your slice serve and accuracy, the less you need this trick. It's good to have in your tool box though.

Rafa Back on the Court Preparing for Paris

 Rafa may be back for RG, and so may Novak so it could be an interesting outcome with the Tsitsi win in MC. One problem with this article as it suggests only Rafa as the Clay Slam. Novak is in this group with multiple wins at all clay events of importance including MC, Madrid, Rome, and Paris. Of course, no one has 13 RG wins so he does own that record.

Rafa back on court

Umpires, refs, and linesman can change outcomes - Here is one in Tennis

 He lost after he won.

Take Care of your Feet and Toes

 Foot injuries including lost toenails can really hurt your tennis performance.  Here I focus on toenails.

I only lost toenails from a violent activity such as hitting hard objects like steel frames when barefoot or while wearing loose shoes. I also saw answers that made sense to me so here are a few plus my own. 

1 - Keep nails trimmed. 

2 - Buy a fitted shoe. 

3 - Use sock liners or double socks. 

4 - Employ anti-bacterial and fungal treatments at the first sign of trouble along with excellent hygiene meaning fresh socks and regular washing. (I also used tea tree oil around nails at the first sign of irritation to prevent infections). 

5 - Tape ankles, feet, and toes when necessary including (buddy taping for injured toes.) 

6 - Allow recovery from injuries.

Tennis Triumvirate is Fading - Say it isn't so.

The tennis triumvirate is loosening its grasp on domination. Fed ran out the clock as far as he could take it. Rafa lasted much longer than I thought that he could, and I still think he has some game left in him. 

Novak should recover from the Mob Hit Australia put on him, leaving him with the equivalent of two broken legs. It's clear that he's off stride, at least for now.

I think we'll see Rafa and Novak out there again, but probably never as strong as before.

Becker - new behavior rules will make players machines

Becker Prediction

Goran says Novak will be Ready to Defend his Title at the French Open

 Goran

Are Novak and Rafa machines? Is it harder for Fed's style to win?

 Article that argues that this is the case.

You didn't see articles like this back when Fed was crushing through the ranks and winning everything.  The article raises some good arguments, but effortless is effortless, and Fed demonstrated that during much of his career.   While he was playing his best, it may have been easier for him to win than either of the other big three because they had to stay focused on their method rather than just play.

Med facing Wimbledon Ban for Citizenship

 First we go after those perceived as Vax skeptics, and now it's citizens of a currently unpopular country. It's not a good look for tennis.

 They want to ban Medvedev

 

 

Can Novak be declared the GOAT?

This lays out a possible scenario if Novak wins the next two slams. I disagree with the characterization of Novak's part in the AO2022 circus as it takes the establishment position on the Vax mandates. Meanwhile, Nadal is still in the lead for Slams while Novak just hit 7 years of weeks at ATP #1. There is room for applause for all of the best regardless of the outcome after they all retire.

 

Novak GOAT Soon?   Good article that lays it out.

Alcaraz Wins Miami

 Miami Herald - gets a call from the King