Roger and Maria Taste Fresh Glory
Locker Room
October 16, 2017
For Roger Federer, there was a familiar sense of achievement, an extension of what had happened already in his memorable 2017. For Maria Sharapova, this winning feeling hadn’t befriended her for years – and she was going to enjoy every moment. Both superstars took titles in China. Federer emerged the winner among the top men, […]
Japan: From Nishikori to Kamiji, we like your style!
Japan
October 12, 2017
An enthusiastic welcome awaits Japan’s players and fans at Wimbledon – warmer perhaps than ever before! Japan is now such an integral part of the tennis family, so important to the future of the sport, and the country’s brightest young stars look capable of doing great things. When those passionate Japanese sports fans join the […]
Nadal and Garcia Triumphant In China
Locker Room
October 9, 2017
Rafael Nadal and Caroline Garcia were triumphant at the China Open, to take the singles titles in style. But in some ways those finals were as much about their opponents as the winners themselves. Nick Kyrgios went into meltdown over a line call during Nadal’s emphatic 6-2, 6-1 victory in Beijing. PSYCHOLOGICAL That finally cost […]
How Sharapova Can Use That Defeat By Halep
Locker Room
October 5, 2017
So she finally did it. At the eighth time of asking, Simona Halep beat Maria Sharapova this week. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again. That’s what Simona did. In China, she found a way. That 6-2, 6-2 victory in Beijing was emphatic – and avenged her defeat to Sharapova in the […]
Lucy Shuker Us Open: It’s Not Over Until It’s Over!
Locker Room
September 30, 2017
Of all the matches I have played in the last few weeks in North America; there are two stand-out moments for me. I was lucky enough to be scheduled on Arthur Ashe, which was a huge privilege. But, the most satisfying one has to be the doubles final at the US Open Super Series in […]
Borg vs McEnroe Movie Review…Federer vs Nadal Next?
Locker Room
September 25, 2017
‘When he lost that game, I told my friends: “He is going to lose the match. And then he is going to quit tennis.” They didn’t believe me. But I just knew.’ A middle-aged man called Per had played in the same Swedish academy as Bjorn Borg – and he knew how the superstar’s mind […]
Rafael Nadal and Sloane Stephens Are US Open Champions
Locker Room
September 11, 2017
They did it emphatically. Two fine champions who have been on difficult journeys; and returned looking even better than they had ever been before. Rafael Nadal and Sloane Stephens, we salute you. Nadal secured his second Grand Slam of the year and he did it in style, beating Kevin Anderson by a comfortable margin of […]
Defiant Nadal Seeks More Glory
Locker Room
September 9, 2017
Defiant Rafael Nadal was in no mood to take another beating from Juan Martin del Potro after losing their last two encounters. Instead the King of Clay got mad; changed his tactics; stepped into hard-court overdrive; and won nine games in a row. That punishing run ripped the heart out of Del Potro, who couldn’t […]
Stubborn Murray Digs Deep To Make Second Week
Locker Room
July 8, 2017
Andy Murray made it. That’s the main thing. After all, anything can happen from here. As long as you’re in the mix, you’ve given yourself a fighting chance. Murray plays a Frenchman called Benoit Paire next, and if he negotiates that tie, the quarter-finals await him. It wasn’t a perfect display against Fabio Fognini on […]
Federer Steps Up, Monfils Thrills…But Pliskova and Del Potro Fall
Locker Room
July 6, 2017
There was a strange sound when Roger Federer walked on to Centre Court. It wasn’t exactly a hearty cheer because it was mixed with something else – reverence. The sound wasn’t defined by volume, because it conveyed something internal too – awe. Here were thousands of people who couldn’t believe how lucky they were to […]