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Of course today's tennis is not what it used to be. I mean it's not as intense as it was during the "gilded age" (1974-84 IMO) for various reasons, the main one being linked to current players's duller attitudes (if not personalities)...
Yet I think there are a few players whose matches are worth being watched these days.
Men's singles:
Russian MARAT SAFIN (US Open winner in 2000) plays an awesome game when he isn't overcome by his temper. But his moods precisely make him different. He kind of rocks in a way.
American ANDY RODDICK. I realized I'd misjudged him during his last Wimbledon final versus Federer. His cap "tic" and the way couldn't satnd still used to get on my nerves, and technically his serve took too much room in his game. But in Wimbledon I saw a fine guy who did everything he could against Federer. He showed nice aspects of what a sportsman is supposed to show, like fair play and the pleasure of playing. And he's still very young after all.
Australian LEYTON HEWITT deserves props for being amongst top players with his own weapons (regularity, perseverance, footwork, etc).
And congrats to "Dede", ANDRE AGASSI... He's still in the top 10, just like great "Jimbo" Connors was at the same age (35).
Women's singles (my fave part
):
Here, personalities aren't as important to me...
Russian MARIA SHARAPOVA (Wimbledon winner last year) just became WTA number one this week, but she hasn't one any Grand Slam Tournament since Wimbledon 2004. She's better win this year's US Open if she wants to be considered as a true nb 1...
As for physically, she sure is number 1 in the top 20 players (some who are ranked far behind are real bombs too).
MARIA SHARAPOVA's game is impressive, but a little stereotyped (a big serve, powerful baseline strokes, but rather few net points). But it's cool to have (once again) another very young (18) champion.
Belgian JUSTINE HENIN(-Hardenne) is my fave. She's nice, cute and French-speaking! A real fine young lady. And she plays a very complete game, has a beautiful technique and knows by heart the way to the net where her volleysare a real pleasure to see.
Belgian KIM CLIJSTERS is on her way back to the top (just as Justine Henin), I wouldn't be surprised if she won the Open. She's a very solid player, her game is a lot like Hewitt's game feminine version...
French AMELIE MAURESMO has often been disappointing in Grand Slams. It's all in her head, she could only make it if she stopped wondering about who knows what (who said her opponent's legs?:D)...
Australian ALICIA MOLIK is a splendid sportswoman IMO, at least as a competitor and as far as fair play. she quit the top ten a short time ago, but I really wish her to come back for I think she deserves to.
American JENNY CAPRIATI seems to be on her twilight. Too bad because when she came back in 2000-2001 and became world number one it was damn rejoicing to see.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT plays awesome tennis, she looks like a fine girl and it's too bad she's never really been recognized as she should have. She could well win this year.
THE WILLIAMS SISTERS have always got on my nerves, especially VENUS, because of their fucking attitude... But I respect them a lot, just as their "colleagues" for the amount of work and efforts that reaching such a level implies. Of course one of them could win this year too.
Are there any players you'd like to see holding the cup this year?
Yet I think there are a few players whose matches are worth being watched these days.
Men's singles:
Russian MARAT SAFIN (US Open winner in 2000) plays an awesome game when he isn't overcome by his temper. But his moods precisely make him different. He kind of rocks in a way.
American ANDY RODDICK. I realized I'd misjudged him during his last Wimbledon final versus Federer. His cap "tic" and the way couldn't satnd still used to get on my nerves, and technically his serve took too much room in his game. But in Wimbledon I saw a fine guy who did everything he could against Federer. He showed nice aspects of what a sportsman is supposed to show, like fair play and the pleasure of playing. And he's still very young after all.
Australian LEYTON HEWITT deserves props for being amongst top players with his own weapons (regularity, perseverance, footwork, etc).
And congrats to "Dede", ANDRE AGASSI... He's still in the top 10, just like great "Jimbo" Connors was at the same age (35).
Women's singles (my fave part
):Here, personalities aren't as important to me...
Russian MARIA SHARAPOVA (Wimbledon winner last year) just became WTA number one this week, but she hasn't one any Grand Slam Tournament since Wimbledon 2004. She's better win this year's US Open if she wants to be considered as a true nb 1...
As for physically, she sure is number 1 in the top 20 players (some who are ranked far behind are real bombs too).
MARIA SHARAPOVA's game is impressive, but a little stereotyped (a big serve, powerful baseline strokes, but rather few net points). But it's cool to have (once again) another very young (18) champion.
Belgian JUSTINE HENIN(-Hardenne) is my fave. She's nice, cute and French-speaking! A real fine young lady. And she plays a very complete game, has a beautiful technique and knows by heart the way to the net where her volleysare a real pleasure to see.
Belgian KIM CLIJSTERS is on her way back to the top (just as Justine Henin), I wouldn't be surprised if she won the Open. She's a very solid player, her game is a lot like Hewitt's game feminine version...
French AMELIE MAURESMO has often been disappointing in Grand Slams. It's all in her head, she could only make it if she stopped wondering about who knows what (who said her opponent's legs?:D)...
Australian ALICIA MOLIK is a splendid sportswoman IMO, at least as a competitor and as far as fair play. she quit the top ten a short time ago, but I really wish her to come back for I think she deserves to.
American JENNY CAPRIATI seems to be on her twilight. Too bad because when she came back in 2000-2001 and became world number one it was damn rejoicing to see.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT plays awesome tennis, she looks like a fine girl and it's too bad she's never really been recognized as she should have. She could well win this year.
THE WILLIAMS SISTERS have always got on my nerves, especially VENUS, because of their fucking attitude... But I respect them a lot, just as their "colleagues" for the amount of work and efforts that reaching such a level implies. Of course one of them could win this year too.
Are there any players you'd like to see holding the cup this year?
I remember he saved the first match point on his serve at the net. The second match point is still a big, big regret: 2 sets all, 5/6, 30/40. Mac serves on Lendl's backhand, the return is rather hard but it should have been easy to handle for the King of the Net... McEnroe had opened the court wide, he just had to put his forehand volley in a "boulevard", but he missed it, obviously aiming at the opposite corner, which was absolutely unnecessary.
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