Amidst all the chaos it is perhaps worth noting, in the usually *more* chaotic sphere of doubles, both finals will feature the #1 and #2 seeded pairs. The still point of the turning world, as Tom Eliot might have put it.
You haven’t climbed through your bathroom window… right, Andrea? Hahaha 🫣 Thanks for this wonderful read again! I really hope Aryna will - somehow - recover and rebuild her mental strength a bit in the future. Very excited to see her play in Berlin though!
You write very well, and frequently, about the sheer precariousness of being able to play well consistently, at the pro level. And of course its really at any level. Regardless of level, any tennis player can relate to that feeling when a match, at one point in hand, slips away. Most pros don't dwell on it -- for obvious reasons its better in the end to focus on the battle to stay focused. Novak has made several very good points on that issue. But, for every match that gets away thewre is one player who wins, by doing the other side of the coin, hanging in there when all signs say "oh well, not today." :)
That is/was a tasty dessert. Things that would make me happy? If sponsors now let the moths out of their wallets and give Maja some contracts that would fund her for a long time. It is one thing to be a counter puncher, but her IQ using depth, height, speed and angles was a joy to watch, without a strong serve, she showed just how foxy a tennis match can be. I know on faster surfaces it will be a lot harder, but I do hope we get to see a lot more of her. In addition, coming back to pro sport after having a serious illness like depression makes her something of a comeback queen as well.
Loved your sit down with Brad Gilbert, and that's a lot, coming from me, who never watches Gilbert because of his awkward but obvious self-promotion and puerile nick-name usage.
I do not want to seem inconsiderate. Arnold played his heart out in winning over Tiafoe in 5 sets. So it must be very disheartening for him to not be able to play Cobolli in the semi-finals.
Evening plans have fallen through for us all. Are they passing around tennis samples of virus germs? They all seem to have forgotten that is takes TIME to recover from viruses. Sometimes you actually DIE!
So sorry that your evening plans fell through!
i ate chocolate instead (without the tennis)
That's some consolation, assuming it was very good chocolate!😉
Amidst all the chaos it is perhaps worth noting, in the usually *more* chaotic sphere of doubles, both finals will feature the #1 and #2 seeded pairs. The still point of the turning world, as Tom Eliot might have put it.
!!!
You haven’t climbed through your bathroom window… right, Andrea? Hahaha 🫣 Thanks for this wonderful read again! I really hope Aryna will - somehow - recover and rebuild her mental strength a bit in the future. Very excited to see her play in Berlin though!
You write very well, and frequently, about the sheer precariousness of being able to play well consistently, at the pro level. And of course its really at any level. Regardless of level, any tennis player can relate to that feeling when a match, at one point in hand, slips away. Most pros don't dwell on it -- for obvious reasons its better in the end to focus on the battle to stay focused. Novak has made several very good points on that issue. But, for every match that gets away thewre is one player who wins, by doing the other side of the coin, hanging in there when all signs say "oh well, not today." :)
That is/was a tasty dessert. Things that would make me happy? If sponsors now let the moths out of their wallets and give Maja some contracts that would fund her for a long time. It is one thing to be a counter puncher, but her IQ using depth, height, speed and angles was a joy to watch, without a strong serve, she showed just how foxy a tennis match can be. I know on faster surfaces it will be a lot harder, but I do hope we get to see a lot more of her. In addition, coming back to pro sport after having a serious illness like depression makes her something of a comeback queen as well.
You are probably the best writer on substack, sports or non-sports. And I’ve probably said this before (i tend to do that).
I would welcome a post on your thoughts on Zverev soaking in love today. As a German, and a woman. I can’t find happiness for a serial predator. 😢
It's like they say, "You never know in sports. That's why they play the matches." (Except when they don't play the matches.)
Wimbles is going to have to go some to top Roland Garros this year
Loved your sit down with Brad Gilbert, and that's a lot, coming from me, who never watches Gilbert because of his awkward but obvious self-promotion and puerile nick-name usage.
So much for Arnaldi and Cobolli!
my last paragraph did not age well :(
Hope you still enjoyed those treats and found something else to watch. Enjoy your writing!
Roland Garros brings its 2026 Chaos Magic even here.
I do not want to seem inconsiderate. Arnold played his heart out in winning over Tiafoe in 5 sets. So it must be very disheartening for him to not be able to play Cobolli in the semi-finals.
Evening plans have fallen through for us all. Are they passing around tennis samples of virus germs? They all seem to have forgotten that is takes TIME to recover from viruses. Sometimes you actually DIE!
Please alert us when you give spoiler results!!!