en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/777997 Comments by JA_Allen http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/10/11/wta-power-rankings-great-dane-caroline-wozniacki-sweeps-to-no-1/#IDComment103625345 It took Caroline Wozniacki a while, but she finally met her goal by becoming the No. 1 ranked player in the world. She, of course, was aided by Serena's withdrawal since Wimbledon. To me, it is very sad to see the Williams sisters sidelined. They have been in the mix at the top of the women's game for the past decade! They are American tennis for the ladies. It is good to see the new talent rising but it is hard to imagine a slam without the Sisters - hopefully, they will be back very soon. Great write up! Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:01:27 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/10/11/wta-power-rankings-great-dane-caroline-wozniacki-sweeps-to-no-1/#IDComment103625345 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/09/14/rafael-nadal-reaches-the-career-grand-slam/#IDComment99144947 I like the way the sea seemed to part for Nadal, as all the really tough opposition melted away before he had to meet them. That has to do with "luck" however, which no one seems to include as a key ingredient in winning a slam. You must thank the tennis gods a bit. That, of course, has nothing to do with Nadal. He just faced the players he had to in his draw. But he really had no serious challenger until his final match where he executed, as you point out, with supreme confidence. He had every reason to feel confident. Nadal has enjoyed a supreme run, one of the best ever. Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:25:20 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/09/14/rafael-nadal-reaches-the-career-grand-slam/#IDComment99144947 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/07/19/caster-semenya-has-she-met-her-kryptonite/#IDComment88504468 Yes I understand your point - it will be mesmerizing to see if she can do it with the limitations they have placed on her - but to me it is like saying that the 7 footer playing basketball must reduce his height to 6 feet because he has an unnatural advantage over the rest of the field...it is the variety of natural gifts that makes competition just that - competition!! Fascinating debate, though and thanks for bringing it forward! Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:11:39 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/07/19/caster-semenya-has-she-met-her-kryptonite/#IDComment88504468 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/07/19/caster-semenya-has-she-met-her-kryptonite/#IDComment88259934 This is truly a terrifying specter looming on the horizon of women's athletics. Or athletics of either gender for that matter, We are born with certain gifts which make us unique. Some of us may have greater rhythm, greater speed, greater strength or greater resolve. We take our natural gifts into competitive sports and add endurance and skill to our repertoire. The gifts we bring with us - we have no control over. We don't endorse enhancement drugs but to make an athlete limit his or her natural ability to level the playing field is dangerous. Where does it end? Once you step onto that road, there is no end in sight...the indignity of this investigation smacks of racial and gender bias. I was appalled to read about it here and elsewhere! Great writing as usual! Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:43:25 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/07/19/caster-semenya-has-she-met-her-kryptonite/#IDComment88259934 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/07/01/rafael-nadal-and-andy-murray-chase-history/#IDComment84000629 I, of course, wanted to read and comment and am pleased to do so here. It is Murray's greatest opportunity to date. He has the game but will he bring it in full-force? Like you, I have my doubts. If Rafa wins this tournament, then he has truly begun his quest. I think the grass will be easier for him than the hard courts but it is enough to win on grass and clay with one hard court championship already in the bank. That is why Federer wept at the Aussie Open in 2009...if the truth be known! Fri, 2 Jul 2010 00:34:32 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/07/01/rafael-nadal-and-andy-murray-chase-history/#IDComment84000629 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/06/05/2010-french-open-final-can-soderling-beat-nadal-again/#IDComment78804473 Looks like Soderling is going down in straights - darn! I expected more from the Swede than this showing!! Nadal wanted this one - bad!! Sun, 6 Jun 2010 15:32:47 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/06/05/2010-french-open-final-can-soderling-beat-nadal-again/#IDComment78804473 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/05/04/roundup-what-the-rome-masters-means-for/#IDComment72390547 Excellent read, Rob! Right on target, as the saying goes. Gulbis lit up Rome and made the event exciting. I am hopeful he can excel and add some more fire power to the tour. I was hoping for more from Soderling - but the weather had something to do with his lack of success more than likely. I remain curious to see Federer at Estoril - hopeful for some time on the court - I was pleased to see him advance into the doubles, losing finally to Isner & Querry - who found the conditions too slow after the courts slowed with heavy air and rain to prevail against the Bryans...Hey, I am even becoming a doubles advocate! Great article! Tue, 4 May 2010 13:31:52 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/05/04/roundup-what-the-rome-masters-means-for/#IDComment72390547 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/05/03/mens-tennis-power-rankings-rafael-nadal-books-top-spot-again/#IDComment72369213 Thanks Rob - Verdasco has indeed been playing well and smart of late! I loved Gulbis in this tournament because he made things very interesting and gave us an interesting angle to pursue!! Tue, 4 May 2010 11:56:58 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/05/03/mens-tennis-power-rankings-rafael-nadal-books-top-spot-again/#IDComment72369213 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/19/roundup-what-monte-carlo-means-for/#IDComment69926972 I have to say that Rafa's win was definitive and dramatic. He is back, is all!! But his win was over players we all expect him to win against, no? It is good he is playing smarter this year and not killing himself before the French Open--where he needs to regain his edge. Murray was a huge disappointment as was Djokovic. But it was just one tournament. Great read as usual Rob! Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:37:35 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/19/roundup-what-monte-carlo-means-for/#IDComment69926972 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/20/mens-tennis-power-rankings-rafael-nadal-hits-heights-on-clay/#IDComment69926452 Again, great read Marianne! You know I am partial to the PR's and this one has so much flair!! Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:32:52 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/20/mens-tennis-power-rankings-rafael-nadal-hits-heights-on-clay/#IDComment69926452 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/21/top-9-female-french-open-finalists-chris-evert-best-of-the-best/#IDComment69926170 Thanks Rob - I like constructing these lists which always stir up debate about how the players are ranked. The women's game has had some very unique and powerful champions on the red clay. Today - not so much - maybe Henin will climb back up there or maybe Clijsters will hold her nerve - she seems to be doing better with that these days! Maybe one of the Williams sisters will take an interest this year!! Thanks for commenting--appreciate it! Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:30:13 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/21/top-9-female-french-open-finalists-chris-evert-best-of-the-best/#IDComment69926170 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/12/tennis-sun-and-the-mediterranean-it-must-be-the-clay-season/#IDComment67731390 Lovely once again, the second time around!! Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:57:55 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/12/tennis-sun-and-the-mediterranean-it-must-be-the-clay-season/#IDComment67731390 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/12/a-reversal-in-tennis-fortunes-in-2009-as-federer-vs-nadal-on-clay/#IDComment67730464 It was one of those roller-coaster of emotion years, no doubt for everyone's favorite players! Let us hope that 2010 is more stable but great for the World No. 1! Thanks! Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:55:41 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/12/a-reversal-in-tennis-fortunes-in-2009-as-federer-vs-nadal-on-clay/#IDComment67730464 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/13/in-praise-of-diversity-bring-back-the-net-rushers/#IDComment67729488 Loved the serve and volleyers! Those were great days of tennis when the contrast in style was as much a part of the story as the players! But there is room, as you suggest, for moments of net play in todays game. Look at all the top players - like Nadal - who are honing their skills playing doubles. I say - bring it back into the game to add to the great play we see today by the baseliners! Great read, Rob! Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:52:47 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/13/in-praise-of-diversity-bring-back-the-net-rushers/#IDComment67729488 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/05/mens-tennis-power-rankings-roddick-reigns-supreme/#IDComment66215083 Andy is back on top and riding high! Hope that helps him as he heads into the clay season! It will be a whole new ball game for the top seeds now as they adjust to the red clay and prepare to find their way into the draw for the French Open!! Great write up, Feng! Tue, 6 Apr 2010 13:33:47 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/05/mens-tennis-power-rankings-roddick-reigns-supreme/#IDComment66215083 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/06/roundup-what-the-miami-masters-means-for/#IDComment66214693 Yes, hurray for Roddick! I think he will do marginally well on clay, running on victory fumes from American hard court success. Nadal will come all the way back to find some former glory on clay and Roger will gear himself to be ready for the French Open! I cannot wait for it all to unfold. I think Murray will be overtaken by Del Potro - assuming the Argentine recovers from his lingering injuries. Djokovic is also shaky! Kudos, Rob!! Tue, 6 Apr 2010 13:30:21 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/06/roundup-what-the-miami-masters-means-for/#IDComment66214693 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/06/duke-wins-title-butler-wins-respect/#IDComment66213739 I knew that Duke would find a way to steal the title from Butler and they did! I thought it would be a perfect end to a tournament built on upsets - for the upsets to continue and for Butler to take the title. Leave it to Duke to spoil the storybook ending!! Ah, well...it is over and all people will remember was who won - too bad cause it was a great team Butler fielded... Tue, 6 Apr 2010 13:21:55 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/06/duke-wins-title-butler-wins-respect/#IDComment66213739 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/05/great-men-of-tennis-gottfried-von-cramm/#IDComment66213139 Fascinating tale - one of the most intriguing in the series!! The role that history played in shaping the outcome of tennis during the war in Europe - compelling and sad somehow! Great read! Tue, 6 Apr 2010 13:16:38 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/05/great-men-of-tennis-gottfried-von-cramm/#IDComment66213139 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/03/30/jelena-jankovic-sits-atop-womens-tennis-power-rankings/#IDComment64844464 Oh, you are right - I shall fix that! It was Elene Dementieva at Indian Wells...thanks! Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:51:35 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/03/30/jelena-jankovic-sits-atop-womens-tennis-power-rankings/#IDComment64844464 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/03/30/todd-martin-to-juan-martin-del-potro-whats-missing/#IDComment64843231 Excellent read! Indeed it appears that once again the tall man wins but only a few will reach the level you predict - then again - there is only room for 1 at the top! Intriguing to think about the future if the boundaries remain the same. Del Potro has not played for so long I have forgotten what he looks like! Wonder when he will return and what kind of shape he will find himself after so long? Of course, the young heal fast and return to form quicker...enjoyed your thoughts, as always... Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:47:25 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/03/30/todd-martin-to-juan-martin-del-potro-whats-missing/#IDComment64843231