Tag: tennis

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athletes Athletics photography sport tennis

Carlos Alcaraz: The Birth of a Legend.

This remarkable 19 year old Spaniard has so much game, it’s often hard to believe. Blessed with electric, top-level horsepower *and* firepower, the new World #1 (the youngest ever to achieve the pinnacle) also possesses an abundance of charisma, mental toughness, and and imagination. His natural flair and feel cannot be taught.

“Alcaraz has earned acclaim for his remarkable athletic and physical traits. In particular, his direct sprints, counterattacking abilities from often indefensible positions on court, and an extremely high peak footspeed which has earned him comparisons to a young Rafael Nadal and GaΓ«l Monfils. He has earned comparisons to Novak Djokovic for his assured lateral movement and court-coverage aided by physical splits and sliding through the court on defense, particularly on his backhand side where he is often able to neutralize his opponent’s groundstroke aggression or drop shot attempts. He has also earned comparisons, on occasion, to Roger Federer for his great footwork and ability to go inside-out on his forehand and control the court with his offense.” (from Wikipedia)

β€œI’ve never played a player who moves as well,” said Frances Tiafoe, who has played the best of the best. β€œHe’s going to be a problem for a very long time.”

β€œBut you get so engaged with Alcaraz when you are watching him and he plays so many unbelievable points that you don’t see other players play,” he added. β€œThen you add the speed, he can defend and hit the ball harder than anyone.”
—Mats Wilander

{Update 7.17.23}: In a titanic 5-set struggle for supremacy of the men’s game, the young Alcaraz wrested the Wimbledon trophy from 4-time defending champion Novak Djokovic on July 16, 2023. He truly showed his mettle against the steely resolve of the great Serbian immortal.

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athletes Athletics sport tennis

Tennis: The Greatest Hits.

Your author has spent many an hour in rapt engagement with the sport of tennis. Since the early 1970s, it has been my favorite sport to watch and to play. The above constitutes my highly opinionated (yet utterly impartial…) list of the greatest practitioners I’ve ever witnessed. The order might well be in flux, but as for now, I feel comfortable with Roger Federer at #1, Pete Sampras #2, BjΓΆrn Borg #3, Raphael Nadal #4, and Novak Djokovic #5.

Those who follow these five legends could all be considered “Honorable Mention”, as I feel the top 5 are simply a cut above. This is certainly not meant as a slight, as all included here are geniuses of the game. In no order, I’ve selected John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi, Arthur Ashe, and Boris Becker.

What criteria were used? Mostly, the eye and gut test. Certainly, career accomplishments were very much factored in. But, I went primarily by feel. Federer is quite simply the greatest tennis player I’ve seen. No one quite compares. What he’s done on the court is both sublime *and* ridiculous. After the Swiss maestro, we thought Sampras barely nosed out the Swede on the strength of, surprise, his immense first and second serves. Borg, the mightiest titan I had beheld in my youth, is next; the man’s groundstrokes revolutionized the game, with their blistering topspin. He was also *insanely* fast. Rafa takes #4, on the merits of his own wicked topspin forehand, foot speed, and indomitable will. And speaking of indomitable, the same applies to Mr. Djokovic. His return of serve is also probably the most effective/intimidating we’ve seen.

A final word on Federer, from the man who knows him best: Rafa Nadal. “If he is playing very good, I have to play unbelievable. If not, it’s impossible, especially if he’s playing with good confidence. When he’s 100 per cent, he’s playing in another league. It’s impossible to stop him.” – 2007

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athletes Athletics Dominic Thiem photography sport tennis

Dominic Thiem: A Major Milestone.

2020 featured a sensational, stomach-churning final for the men’s US Open trophy. Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem battled for over 4 hours, each getting excruciatingly close to the crown. Jangly nerves, cramps, and courage played as large a role as each player’s formidable arsenal of shotmaking weaponry. The Austrian finally prevailed by the slimmest of margins in the final set tiebreaker. A heartbreaking pill for Zverev to somehow swallow, and the first major championship for Dominic Thiem, who had * just* enough will at the finish to outlast his friend.

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Naomi Osaka: Three Times a Ladies’ Champion.

The final of the 2020 US Open featured everything one could desire in a championship match: high level of play; swings in momentum; and commendable bravery from both players. Naomi Osaka emerged the victor in an epic struggle with Victoria Azarenka, claiming her 3rd major trophy in the process. Both players exhibited tremendous desire, not to mention wondrous shotmaking. It will be a long-remembered match for the championship level on both sides of the net. Osaka’s wicked groundstrokes, formidable serve, and grace under pressure eventually prevailed.

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athletes Athletics photography sport tennis

Relentlessness Incarnate: Daniil Medvedev.

25 year old Daniil Medvedev, the world’s 2nd ranked player, plays a fascinating game of tennis. Though 6’6″, he plays mostly from the backcourt, where he is utterly ruthless. Ceaseless probing, penetrating groundstrokes, hit mostly flat, help him gain control of the point, and he is not one prone to relinquishing it. A formidable competitor, Medvedev plays controlled offense superbly, has a very effective serve, and has excellent foot speed. He seems destined to be at or near the top of the men’s game for many years.

{Revised 9/12/21}

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athletes Athletics BjΓΆrn Borg John McEnroe photography sport tennis Wimbledon

BjΓΆrn Borg and John McEnroe: Their Epic Confrontation.

Homeric valor, unfathomable resolve, and titanic talent were exhibited by both champions in this unforgettable battle.

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athletes Athletics photography sport tennis

Dominic Thiem: A Major Force to be Reckoned With.

26 year old Dominic Thiem has finally arrived on the world tennis stage. Having defeated Alexander Zverev in the 2020 Australian Open semifinals, employing his usual barrage of blistering drives smacked relentlessly into every corner, as well as great defensive skills, guile, boldness, and purpose, he now faces a formidable task: conquering 16-time major champion Novak Djokovic in the finals. However: the Austrian has gotten the better of the Serbian in four of their last five meetings, including two at Roland Garros, and one at the World Tour finals.

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athletes Athletics photography Roger Federer sport tennis

A Retrospective: Roger Federer.

https://vimeo.com/86033904

What with Roger Federer‘s departure from the 2020 Australian Open, let us look back at some of the Swiss maestro’s finer moments from earlier AO’s, when his unparallelled feline movement {coupled with his trademark magical racket head control} was unhampered, allowing him to dictate or defend, as few {if any} have ever done. Federer had an uncanny ability to defang even opponents with the most lethal of arsenals, as he would glide along {or above} the court, using his exquisite timing, imagination, and power to assume command of the point, and strike winner after unbelievable winner. Almost always he seemed to be playing offense, controlling play. Against Novak Djokovic, an aging and injured Fed soldiered on, with “maybe a 3% chance” {his words}. But according to his greatest rival, Rafael Nadal, “When he’s 100 percent, he’s playing in another league. It’s impossible to stop him.”

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athletes Athletics photography sport tennis

An Epic Quarterfinal: Thiem vs. Nadal.

Dominic Thiem produced utterly brilliant tennis when it mattered most to edge the great Rafael Nadal at the 2020 Australian Open. This match featured unreal shotmaking, fierce competitive spirit, and admirable boldness/aggression from both players. Titanic exchanges were the norm, and each man was hitting rockets. Also noteworthy: Nadal’s extreme graciousness in defeat, giving Thiem full credit. The Austrian, too, was humble and thoughtful in victory; obviously, a great deal of mutual respect was present.

Thiem, who not only punished the ball relentlessly, but also showed outstanding defensive skills, deserved this massive win, ousting the immortal Rafa by the slimmest of margins, with seemingly endless blistering drives to both corners, and great heart.

(Now featuring bonus footage of the Nadal-Thiem 2018 US Open match.)

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athletes Athletics photography sport tennis

An Enigma Inspired: Nick Kyrgios.

A talent of otherworldly proportions, Nick Kyrgios has thusfar in his career been held in check only by his mentality, which is perhaps of an unfathomable nature. His apparently never-ending drama of the psyche notwithstanding, the Aussie’s awesome power coupled with exquisite touch, when clicking on all cylinders, is thrilling, and seems unbeatable. The GuardianΒ has described his playing style as “powerfully flamboyant, sometimes ridiculously-brilliant game, which is something to behold.” And, as of the current moment, in the 2020 Australian Open, his oft-quirky {and sometimes downright bizarre} mindset seems focused and solid, more or less. What will the future hold for Mr. Kyrgios?

In 2017, the ATP rated Kygrios as the fifth best server in the history of professional tennis – with better results than players such as Roger Federer, Goran IvaniΕ‘eviΔ‡, and Pete Sampras. IvaniΕ‘eviΔ‡ has said β€œ[Kygrios] is a tennis genius. You can’t prepare for Nick Kygrios, he is the best server in the game by far. It’s impossible to create tactics [against him].”