Months ago, after the Australian Open, you mentioned on Rennae’s podcast that you would speak to her audience soon about Paula Badosa. Other things have crowded out that discussion, including some significant happenings (setbacks) to Paula since her AO semi-final. But I for one would enjoy your thoughts on Paula’s game, career, and current situation.
"With time, even the happiest cucumber finds a way to become a cynic in the ever-itself-repeating wheel of the tennis world."
Confess this strange mix of metaphors (happy cucumbers on a wheel, becoming unhappy?) made me scratch my head wondering what it all means, while simultaneously smiling broadly.
Oh, cruel mistress! You tease us with the intro to a dark yet forbidden place: insider gossip on men's tour underwear. Every single reader was waiting at that point for you to flesh it all out. (Sorry; too tempting to not go there.) Alas, we are left with nothing more than yearning for more.
I always wondered what Nadal was wearing underneath or if the repeated smelling of his hand indicated some current or previous problem, like pinworms.
I'm glad women are finally getting the right to wear dark under colors. The thing is, though, that when I watch a sports competition I'm really not interested seeing their underwear. Not out of prudity or moralism, but because it just isn't appealing to me. And more generally I have to wonder if it takes the attention away from what's most important.
Oh, cruel mistress! You tease us with the intro to a dark yet forbidden place: insider gossip on men's tour underwear. Every single reader was waiting at that point for you to flesh it all out. (Sorry; too tempting to not go there.) Alas, we are left with nothing more than yearning for more.
I'm all for the fun. Many years ago during Wimbledon (pre-Covid) Monfils was about to play and also, Kyrgios was about to play Niskikori in R3. Both John McEnroe and Mary Carillo literally and fiercely attacked them both the day before their matches, accusing them of being clowns and entertainers who would never go on to win a major, reducing the sport to a show. Monfils was quietly furious but won. Kyrgios, who was much younger and just perfecting the tweener and other great shots, was truly upset, unable to sleep, disillusioned - and lost of course. It was such a destructive comment. It was mid 2018 and a few months later Kyrgios was spiralling downwards into serious depression. Nobody knew. John and Mary did that. Monfils kept up the fun. Kyrgios became a cynic. Be careful what you wish for.
It is FUN to serve for the match? Sure doesn't look like that to me. Wish it was fun. I know watching the best closer in baseball close for the Padres isn't fun and from his deadpan appearance I doubt it is fun for him. Pros play a kid's game but for adult stakes. Oh well, so much for having fun.
To respond to your underwear question: The best tennis shorts have sewn-in, breathable "under-shorts". Much more comfortable to play in and you don't need to pack fresh underwear for after the match. Nothing's worse than completely soaked cotton underwear under modern-fabric tennis shorts!
Bonjour Andrea!
Months ago, after the Australian Open, you mentioned on Rennae’s podcast that you would speak to her audience soon about Paula Badosa. Other things have crowded out that discussion, including some significant happenings (setbacks) to Paula since her AO semi-final. But I for one would enjoy your thoughts on Paula’s game, career, and current situation.
"With time, even the happiest cucumber finds a way to become a cynic in the ever-itself-repeating wheel of the tennis world."
Confess this strange mix of metaphors (happy cucumbers on a wheel, becoming unhappy?) made me scratch my head wondering what it all means, while simultaneously smiling broadly.
p.s. love your writing, never miss a post
Ah the magic and joy of Monfils! 💙🎾
Oh, cruel mistress! You tease us with the intro to a dark yet forbidden place: insider gossip on men's tour underwear. Every single reader was waiting at that point for you to flesh it all out. (Sorry; too tempting to not go there.) Alas, we are left with nothing more than yearning for more.
I always wondered what Nadal was wearing underneath or if the repeated smelling of his hand indicated some current or previous problem, like pinworms.
I'm glad women are finally getting the right to wear dark under colors. The thing is, though, that when I watch a sports competition I'm really not interested seeing their underwear. Not out of prudity or moralism, but because it just isn't appealing to me. And more generally I have to wonder if it takes the attention away from what's most important.
As ever, you are the best at doing this. What a very nice table-setter for what you will write in the future. Have a great tournament.
Alcohol restriction? The (French) fans will be even more rowdier, much more chaotic than Sinner's grammar school look!
Gael Monfils toujours!
Love it
Things that make me happy: petko thinking about comfy Male unnerbüx 🤣🤙
Oh, cruel mistress! You tease us with the intro to a dark yet forbidden place: insider gossip on men's tour underwear. Every single reader was waiting at that point for you to flesh it all out. (Sorry; too tempting to not go there.) Alas, we are left with nothing more than yearning for more.
Do you have any thoughts about Coco forgetting her rackets? Has that ever happened before?
I'm all for the fun. Many years ago during Wimbledon (pre-Covid) Monfils was about to play and also, Kyrgios was about to play Niskikori in R3. Both John McEnroe and Mary Carillo literally and fiercely attacked them both the day before their matches, accusing them of being clowns and entertainers who would never go on to win a major, reducing the sport to a show. Monfils was quietly furious but won. Kyrgios, who was much younger and just perfecting the tweener and other great shots, was truly upset, unable to sleep, disillusioned - and lost of course. It was such a destructive comment. It was mid 2018 and a few months later Kyrgios was spiralling downwards into serious depression. Nobody knew. John and Mary did that. Monfils kept up the fun. Kyrgios became a cynic. Be careful what you wish for.
It is FUN to serve for the match? Sure doesn't look like that to me. Wish it was fun. I know watching the best closer in baseball close for the Padres isn't fun and from his deadpan appearance I doubt it is fun for him. Pros play a kid's game but for adult stakes. Oh well, so much for having fun.
Excellent post as always superbly written now I can’t help thinking about sports underwear 😂
To respond to your underwear question: The best tennis shorts have sewn-in, breathable "under-shorts". Much more comfortable to play in and you don't need to pack fresh underwear for after the match. Nothing's worse than completely soaked cotton underwear under modern-fabric tennis shorts!