Roland Garros Day 1: Nishikori Must Wait, Kyrgios Erupts
Locker Room
May 22, 2016
Kei Nishikori’s opening match against Simone Bolelli was suspended before the Japanese star could finish the job. That made for a complicated start to the Asian hero’s Roland Garros campaign. Rain made for a tricky first day at the French Open. Nishikori seemed to sense that opportunities for continuous play might be few and far […]
Who Will Win Roland Garros This Year?
Locker Room
May 20, 2016
On the face of it, Roland Garros 2016 should be all about Novak Djokovic completing his Career Slam. But it isn’t that simple any more. For a start, the resurgent Rafael Nadal is in Novak’s half of the draw. So the Serb could face a bruising semi-final challenge from the former King of Clay […]
Federer Saving Himself For Wimbledon
Locker Room
Roger Federer has indicated that he is saving himself for Wimbledon by pulling out of Roland Garros. His decision to miss the French Open – the first Grand Slam this century that Federer hasn’t played – seems to say as much about his love for Wimbledon as anything else. GRASS COURT SEASON Federer explained the […]
Is It Time To Introduce An Asian Slam?
Locker Room
May 18, 2016
You know how we enjoy that tingle of anticipation in Europe just before Roland Garros and Wimbledon? It’s the same in New York a few weeks later, or indeed Melbourne when the year is still young. There’s nothing like a Grand Slam tournament for getting the juices flowing. We’re lucky, aren’t we? So why shouldn’t […]
How Big Is Murray’s Win Over Novak?
Locker Room
May 16, 2016
Finally, Andy Murray has beaten Novak Djokovic again – and in some style. Coming just before Roland Garros, the timing could hardly be better. And Murray’s serve has rarely looked stronger. The Brit’s 6-3, 6-3 win was emphatic and extraordinary, given that Djokovic had claimed no fewer than twelve of their last thirteen encounters, going […]
Novak Reigns, Murray Splits From Mauresmo
Locker Room
May 9, 2016
Novak Djokovic extended his winning streak over Andy Murray in a hugely entertaining but ultimately predictable three-set victory in Madrid. And the Brit runner-up promptly split from his coach, Amelie Mauresmo less than twenty-four hours later. Although the two events are not thought to be specifically related, Murray fans who have questioned his self-belief against […]
Lucy Shuker Tour Update: Tennis Stages And Shark Cages!
Locker Room
May 4, 2016
Tennis Stages and Shark Cages! The Lucy Shuker Blog Twelve inches away from a fifteen-foot Great White shark! Yes, it was a phenomenal experience, and a highlight of my recent time in South Africa, which also included wonderful encounters with white lions, rhino and cheetah…and of course some nail-biting tennis too! The shark dive was […]
Rafa Equals Record In Barcelona
Locker Room
April 25, 2016
Rafael Nadal’s continued resurgence has left him on the brink of making fresh history, after he equaled the record for clay-court titles in the Open Era with more glory in Barcelona. The superb Spaniard’s 6-4, 7-5 victory over Kei Nishikori in two hours and four minutes means that he has now amassed an extraordinary […]
Wimbledon 2016: Court One Is King Of Cool
Wimbledon
April 18, 2016
No one is going to deny that Wimbledon’s Centre Court is unbeatable for history, tradition and glamour. But if it’s dramatic on-court tension you’re after, Court One is often the place to be. Take a look at Wimbledon 2015 and you’ll see what we mean. Men’s quarter-finals day saw many of the most memorable […]
Is Rafael Nadal Learning From Roger Federer?
Locker Room
Rafael Nadal’s manner of victory in Monte Carlo raises some interesting questions about his newfound recipe for success. Is he taking a leaf out of Roger Federer’s book and trying to end rallies earlier to preserve energy? Does this new path to glory mean he could be ready for a better run at Wimbledon this […]