Rome was a great tournament…I lost my voice cheering for Elina! One thing I won’t miss though is that wall graphic and creepy music they played before break, set and match points…it felt like The Hunger Games and the loser was going to be carted off never to be heard from again. 😳
You do what all good writers do, you pack gems throughout your narrative, lightening with comedy the difficult to swallow things and then, conversely, illuminating with gravity the seemingly silly things. Lady, you have talent. Us poets know these thangs. Btw, I wrote about a slingshot today. yer pal, Wes
This Elina Svitolina vs. Anna Bondar thing is so weird. In addition to what Petko says here, these two have met early in 4 of the last 5 slams: RG25 (2nd round), Wim25 (1st), USO25 (1st), and now RG25 (1st). What?!?! Has that ever happened before??
You managed to make the men’s category still look exciting despite some people already calling it a boring Sinner Slam with Alcaraz out of the tournament (and Wimbledon). Also Arthur Fils.☹️
But hey, it’s tennis. The build up and drama matter as much as the final win, so we watch!
Thank you for general gist and jest for first round matches, might use some of the insights if I place some bets - usually £5, I like to go big when having an occasional punt. Just thinking, that if Carlos Alcaraz is unable to come back soon, all future men’s tournaments may need to be renamed as the Sinner invitational.
Love your hilarious description of the Covid years. As an introvert, I feel so SEEN! Is there no way we can bring that glorious experience back again? I literally taught myself Sanskrit during the lockdowns (when supposed to be WFH); on the flip side, I did contract cancer from the vaccine (now in full remission) but, hey, win some, lose some.
Thank you, Andrea, for a great preview! On the women's side, Victoria Mboko vs. Nikola Bartunkova also has the potential for a wonderful match.
Rome was a great tournament…I lost my voice cheering for Elina! One thing I won’t miss though is that wall graphic and creepy music they played before break, set and match points…it felt like The Hunger Games and the loser was going to be carted off never to be heard from again. 😳
haha omg! you’re so right! that was awkward as heeellllll
I love your description of Arthur Fils. Charismatic and beautiful, indeed!
I love the part that goes „Gael kneeling over his knees about 10 times per game“ that’s his signature move 😂
I also look forward to you calling some matches at Roland Garros.
blockbuster = bloc pote?
My favorite of all your posts! Thank you!
Another great piece Andrea. In my way to Paris for two days at Roland Garros
Garros and could not start better than reading you.. can wait for Roland Garros to start. This weekend indeed it will be HOT
Mais oui! Thank you, Andrea, for a great preview of First Round magic in Paris! I hope we get to hear you calling some of these matches….
You do what all good writers do, you pack gems throughout your narrative, lightening with comedy the difficult to swallow things and then, conversely, illuminating with gravity the seemingly silly things. Lady, you have talent. Us poets know these thangs. Btw, I wrote about a slingshot today. yer pal, Wes
This Elina Svitolina vs. Anna Bondar thing is so weird. In addition to what Petko says here, these two have met early in 4 of the last 5 slams: RG25 (2nd round), Wim25 (1st), USO25 (1st), and now RG25 (1st). What?!?! Has that ever happened before??
Thanks! I’ll be looking out when I get to Paris on Tuesday - can’t wait!
Also: everyone who’s seen your WSMDS episode now knows you’d have liked to land the occasional hit 😉
Also: again, congratulations on that brilliant show. If the Kaulitzes tank Wetten, dass…?? - the ZDF sure will know who to ask.
Always a beautiful read from you!
You managed to make the men’s category still look exciting despite some people already calling it a boring Sinner Slam with Alcaraz out of the tournament (and Wimbledon). Also Arthur Fils.☹️
But hey, it’s tennis. The build up and drama matter as much as the final win, so we watch!
Enjoying your, always, great newslettter at the very nice Hanbury Tennis Club in Alassio, Italy. Do you know this place?
I'll let you write my comment, because, just better than me. Best, crazy good phrasing and imagery:
"has a beautiful volley in his carry-on luggage."
"exasperated French air-blowing through the lips"
"drop-shotting the 2015 champion into stunned oblivion"
"The pandemic was what introverts had trained for all their lives."
"Alessandro Michele Gucci of the draw. The loud child in kindergarten."
" moves around the court like her past is chasing her"
I challenge any reader to find something by Bud Collins, the legend, that even inches close to any one of those. Well done, Ms. Petkovic!
Thank you for general gist and jest for first round matches, might use some of the insights if I place some bets - usually £5, I like to go big when having an occasional punt. Just thinking, that if Carlos Alcaraz is unable to come back soon, all future men’s tournaments may need to be renamed as the Sinner invitational.
Love your hilarious description of the Covid years. As an introvert, I feel so SEEN! Is there no way we can bring that glorious experience back again? I literally taught myself Sanskrit during the lockdowns (when supposed to be WFH); on the flip side, I did contract cancer from the vaccine (now in full remission) but, hey, win some, lose some.