en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/700857 Comments by Marianne http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/05/15/roger-federer-is-here-to-stay/#IDComment75799034 Nadal was awesome in that final, too, but I thought Roger played some wonderful tennis. No-one was going to get the better of Nadal for that title, but it's great to see the Fed skills in full flow again. Just beautiful - but then I'm biased! Mon, 17 May 2010 08:49:41 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/05/15/roger-federer-is-here-to-stay/#IDComment75799034 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/05/15/roger-federer-is-here-to-stay/#IDComment75798914 No, I always thought this would be Rafa's. It meant so much after losing it last year, and boy is he in great form! Can't see anyone touching him in Paris, either (though as the ultimate Fed fan, I would love to think different!). Mon, 17 May 2010 08:47:50 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/05/15/roger-federer-is-here-to-stay/#IDComment75798914 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/20/mens-tennis-power-rankings-rafael-nadal-hits-heights-on-clay/#IDComment69391989 Thanks Rob. I was a bit surprised too about Federer: he took the wild card last year when he'd played more matches. From an entirely selfish point of view, he'd better not go out of Rome too early: I have tickets from mid-week onwards—assuming the planes are flying, of course! But Nadal was fabulous last week: I think he's made a good decision to pull from Barcelona. Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:54:03 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/20/mens-tennis-power-rankings-rafael-nadal-hits-heights-on-clay/#IDComment69391989 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/13/in-praise-of-diversity-bring-back-the-net-rushers/#IDComment69066655 Always been a fan of the serve and volley, particularly the wonderful BH version of a Navratilova or an Edberg. Without some leavening by ground shots, it can be a boring play if following a huge serve—producing a maximum of a three-shot rally over and over—but the volley is surely tennis's most charismatic shots. And you rightly identify that many players are finding it a useful tool against players who routinely rally from two or three metres behind the baseline. Nadal is working the volley pretty well these days—though I wish he would use it a little more often. Federer's serve volley game is even better. Davydenko is doing the same... Bring it on, I say! Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:18:19 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/13/in-praise-of-diversity-bring-back-the-net-rushers/#IDComment69066655 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/10/clay-season-could-shuffle-atp-rankings/#IDComment67492312 Just to let you know I've checked in here too, though the comments are elsewhere. I still think Djokovic may come back strong for this swing, especially now the long anticipated dumping of the coach has happened. He was a shot in the arm this time last year, so I hope he finds his mojo again soon. Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:14:12 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/10/clay-season-could-shuffle-atp-rankings/#IDComment67492312 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/06/roger-federer-and-rafael-nadal-different-yet-the-same/#IDComment67491617 Thanks Rob. You can probably tell I enjoyed writing this one. Though I have to say that, once I started, I enjoyed the clay season one too. Some articles are definitely harder work than others! Just never know which ones they will be... Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:11:35 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/06/roger-federer-and-rafael-nadal-different-yet-the-same/#IDComment67491617 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/05/mens-tennis-power-rankings-roddick-reigns-supreme/#IDComment66252348 An excellent and succinct review and preview, Feng. Shocks all round these last few weeks, but I'm pleased not only with Roddick's clear PR ranking here, but that he's got that first Masters in way too long. Also pleased to see the likes of Ljubicic and Youzhny injecting some different style into proceedings. And the breadth and depth of Spain—this has been the *hard* court season, and they *still* dominate the rankings! Tue, 6 Apr 2010 18:34:12 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/05/mens-tennis-power-rankings-roddick-reigns-supreme/#IDComment66252348 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/06/roundup-what-the-miami-masters-means-for/#IDComment66250666 Enjoyable read and, yes, great news for Andy. I'm delighted with this win. I was seriously impressed not only by his play but his willingness to address the problem (like losing that first set to Rafa), and come back with a different tactic. Brave and bold, and those are formidable weapons to add to the already fit, dedicated, big serving Roddick. He will have his work cut out on clay, as there have been some great comeback performances from the clay experts in recent weeks, too. The Spanish spring to mind. And Federer will have to come up with something good soon if he's to keep his rivals at bay. The aura slipped just a fraction in north America. Tue, 6 Apr 2010 18:20:54 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/06/roundup-what-the-miami-masters-means-for/#IDComment66250666 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/26/great-men-of-tennisthe-mellifluous-don-budge/#IDComment66248771 Thanks, Claudia. Just glad to have you back... Tue, 6 Apr 2010 18:06:14 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/26/great-men-of-tennisthe-mellifluous-don-budge/#IDComment66248771 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/05/great-men-of-tennis-gottfried-von-cramm/#IDComment66248470 Great to have your wonderful writing back, and what a story to tell! I knew some of Von Cramm's story, of course, from my research on Don Budge. Theirs was an inspiring and heart-lifting friendship. But there is much more here that I didn't know and, as mentioned above, it shows just what impact those war years had on, in particular, the European players and the public. So sad, to some extent, but inspiring too. Tue, 6 Apr 2010 18:04:03 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/04/05/great-men-of-tennis-gottfried-von-cramm/#IDComment66248470 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/24/the-bmw-tennis-championship-best-little-tennis-tournament-in-florida/#IDComment58631156 Joan, I'm glad you were able to pick this tournament up. And also very envious! Are you going? What a wonderful part set up they have, ideally placed in the calendar and the USA to attract the players drawn by those big Masters events... I look forward to seeing who will take part. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:20:42 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/24/the-bmw-tennis-championship-best-little-tennis-tournament-in-florida/#IDComment58631156 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/22/great-men-of-tennis-big-bill-tilden-tragic-hero/#IDComment58323629 No argument with any of that...but BJK managed similar advances in attitudes while also taking the game into new territory for women. And she never felt the need to undermine those around her in doing so. Surely Tilden played to please himself before the audience. He was fortunate that he had an outstanding talent (and clearly no shortage of financial support to indulge that talent), so was in a privileged situation even outside the country club environs. Interesting to surmise what he might have done had his father not pushed him into tennis. Sounds like he could have made his name alongside the likes of Barrymore on the stage or in film! Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:51:43 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/22/great-men-of-tennis-big-bill-tilden-tragic-hero/#IDComment58323629 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/22/great-men-of-tennis-big-bill-tilden-tragic-hero/#IDComment58316620 What a fascinating story. I knew nothing of Tilden, to my shame, before this. I'm now driven to read much more. It's interesting that you say he may have been more accepted now than in his day. I certainly agree that being a homosexual would not be a factor on today's tour: the work of many great and gay women have ensured that (back to my heroines again!). But I don't think it's that which would give him problems. He sounds as though he was a man who would have got under the skin of many people for his behaviour. To even hint that he would throw opening sets, and that he would not play Wimbledon because it was too easy, would simply be considered too arrogant, too self-indulgent in today's game. And I don't think fondling boys is easily to be dismissed - that's rather different from simply being a gay man. But....I would have loved to see him play! I can imagine the kind of athletic grace he probably brought to tennis (and you know I am as putty over tennis like that!). Now I have to find a book, but I haven't finished wading through my Wills v Lenglen tome yet, and that's been several months! PS thank you for stepping in. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:21:41 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/22/great-men-of-tennis-big-bill-tilden-tragic-hero/#IDComment58316620 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/18/tiger-woods-is-going-to-talk-%e2%80%93-do-you-really-care/#IDComment57778502 And he didn't even announce anything about his golf! I hope his soul-bearing made *him* feel better, because I suspect it had the opposite effect on those who suffered from his activities in the first place. Sat, 20 Feb 2010 15:47:43 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/18/tiger-woods-is-going-to-talk-%e2%80%93-do-you-really-care/#IDComment57778502 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/18/clash-of-the-titans-david-nalbandian-vs-roger-federer-part-2/#IDComment57524562 It is almost, for me, the perfect scenario: Roger and David playing one another, playing their best and pushing each other to the limits. Will we ever see them play one another again? Will David be up to the task after such a lay-off, and with Roger more relaxed, more fluid than he's ever been? I fear not, but I *hope* we get the chance to find out. I remember watching Roger beat David in Basel - it made the heart sing. I remember seeing David get the better of Roger in Paris - that made the heart sing too (though that was tinged with sadness only because I would happily have Roger to win *everything*). I do so hope all goes well for David's return... Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:53:52 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/18/clash-of-the-titans-david-nalbandian-vs-roger-federer-part-2/#IDComment57524562 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/18/tiger-woods-is-going-to-talk-%e2%80%93-do-you-really-care/#IDComment57523442 Dean, I'm so glad you said this. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only person in the world who simply does not get the pre-announcement of an announcement - as though waiting for Moses to bring us the tablets of stone. I could not care less! Just how important does he think he is that he has to give us more than 24 hours notice? Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:44:44 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/18/tiger-woods-is-going-to-talk-%e2%80%93-do-you-really-care/#IDComment57523442 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/10/novak-djokovic-and-the-battle-for-number-2/#IDComment57051666 I wonder whether it will be Nadal who knocks on Djokovic's door or one of the other players on the rise. There is, of course, Cilic who, on his form so far this year, could do a Del Potro and sneak into a Slam final before anyone's noticed! Djokovic will certainly continue to impress in the best of three sets tournies: I think Rotterdam was simply his not being on top form yet. Soderling, though, looked extremely good this week. I was very impressed with him at the O2, as well. He's had an injury problem of his own, but assuming he keeps on top of that, they'll all need to watch their backs. As for Rafa: what to say? I was optimistic, even after O2, about his comeback. I believe the weight loss, change of direction in style (more volleying, more kick serving, more slice shots) signalled the retooling that he needed. I'm *hoping* that this latest injury is just a one-off - it's not meant to be a recurrence of the tendinitis. BUT, he mustn't come back too quickly. I agree that he should focus 100% on the clay season, and then hope that everything is still in good order as we enter the grass season. Yes, on balance, I'm *still* optimistic! Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:03:05 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/10/novak-djokovic-and-the-battle-for-number-2/#IDComment57051666 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/10/pillars-of-rogers-career-seventeen-year-old-roger-lleyton-and-rafter/#IDComment56499782 How cute is Roger?? But then look what he grew into: incomparable! I so enjoyed reading your enthusiastic recollections of these men. As you know, I saw Rafter live, for the first time ever, only two months ago at the *seniors* event, and he is just as adorable now. A lovely, lovely guy, equalled only by his partner on the day I saw him, Stefan Edberg. Thanks for linking to this gem. Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:01:03 +0000 http://sportsthenandnow.com/2010/02/10/pillars-of-rogers-career-seventeen-year-old-roger-lleyton-and-rafter/#IDComment56499782