Great analysis. Thing that would make me happy: Andrea Petkovic replaces John McEnroe as expert tennis commentator on US broadcast. And, if you started a podcast with Andre Agassi, now that would be worth watching (perhaps you are acquainted since his wife is a rather well known German tennis player).
Loved this! I admit was hoping for your take on Lois Boisson as well - we frenchies were so happy to see her advance so fast and so far after her injury!
ugh, i had a whole section about her and then the post got too long 😩 i will pick it up as a question in the next newsletter and write about her on friday, i promise!
I haven't surveyed all of your other readers, but I've never gotten to the end of one of your newsletters and thought, "That was too long." Give us more of the good stuff!
It actually wasn't the first time that Jannik threw a racquet! He also did against Altmaier in 2023 at Roland Garros, when he lost in 5 sets to him in R2. Conclusion: to try and make Jannik Sinner throw a racquet, you must first take him to 5 sets on clay.
The insightful writing of Andrea, taking us into the players' mindset that helps us understand better the ebbs and flows of this beautiful game.
The lovely turns of phrase in her writing. To wit:
-- Yes, Carlos loses a set here and there (I still think he just gets bored and likes the friction)
-- Without (Sinner), Carlos’ beautifully original mind becomes a butterfly that wants to see a million flowers.
-- The fact that Jannik Sinner is so humble but strangely vain about his hair when he takes his hat off makes me very happy.
I admit it, I first started following Andrea because of the Petko dance. Then, I heard her interviewed at length several times and realized that she's kinda brilliant. She shows that — and her wonderful personality that the Petko dance only hinted to — over and over again.
Thanks, Andrea! I have a question. The finalist in a championship match at a major has accomplished what 126 other entrants could not. The champion is quickly enabled to celebrate with his or her team in the stands, while the finalist is left on court with his or her despair and disappointment. What is it that keeps the finalist from going into the stands to share the burden of this moment with his or her team, who certainly must be sharing the same despair on behalf of their player?
Thanks for this great post from someone on the inside of tennis. Big up to Coco for her first Roland Garros championship. Sabalenka received some blow back on her comments about how Coco played. As for Alcaraz and Sinner what can one say? You have provided quality perspective on the match and fine points of the game. Bravo!
Great post as always! So envious of the beauty and humor in your prose, in a second language no less!
My question involves players and their ability (or not) to make friends on the tour. In Agassi’s heartfelt memoir he talks about the loneliness of the tennis life. You have an entourage, but they’re your employees. I assume some players yearn for a friend who could understand their life. I suspect some players made friends in juniors or by being from the same country or from the same academy, but can you become friends with someone on tour? A rival? Evert and Navratilova are close friends now, but Evert says she couldn’t go there when they were competing. Federer and Nadal seemed to find a friendship near the end of their careers, but by that point both had their biggest foe as Father Time. Andreescu said she felt isolated in the locker room after her injuries, and her rise was so fast not many knew her that well. I see Andreeva and Katatkina clowning around on a video podcast and I hope my favorite players are finding fellow players to have a laugh with off the court, but I have to assume it’s hard, especially for introverts.
What a match! While heartbreaking for Jannik I think it’s incredible that he was able to put himself in that position after everything he’s been through over the last year. To quote Murray - he’s getting closer. And yes, put the stamina question to bed. Your analysis of Coco is fantastic and is making me think about weapons differently. Beautifully written as always 👏🏼
Agree with your take on Alcaraz and consistency. I think too many commentators have latched onto the idea that he’s erratic. It’s more that he peaks for the biggest matches. Since he won his first Slam, he hasn’t played more than two without winning one. He’s won half of the last 10 Slams he’s played. Since winning the 2022 US Open, he has lost only once in a Slam before the quarterfinals. And he understands the scoring system! Losing a set in the early rounds doesn’t mean anything unless he’s running himself down, which he isn’t.
Can't believe I missed Jannik throwing his racket. I must rewatch 5hrs 29mins of tennis to locate that exact moment! It's better than the extended version of LOTR.
I love that we got to see him mildly perturbed when That Call was called in. I wanted both men to win, but I also wanted Carlos to defend the trophy for the narrative.
My questions for you are:
- Does grass make Jannik a more dangerous player than when he is on clay?
- Do you think Iga will be able to adapt her game on grass eventually?
- Will you be at Laver Cup this year? I loved your interviews.
Really like the happy/unhappy sections. I remember watching you play, then on TV exploring your passions, and now loving your writing. The tennis world needs your voice!
Great analysis. Thing that would make me happy: Andrea Petkovic replaces John McEnroe as expert tennis commentator on US broadcast. And, if you started a podcast with Andre Agassi, now that would be worth watching (perhaps you are acquainted since his wife is a rather well known German tennis player).
She has one with Boris Becker!
Ich spreche kein Deutsch.
If you speak German, Andrea already does a podcast with Boris Becker! I have just found it.
It's called Becker and Petkovic (which strikes me as very German 🙂).
She has one with Boris Becker!
That was a final to remember. I loved the tribute to Nadal and when they swept the clay to reveal his footprint and 14 “I got so emotional baby”
Thanks Andrea
Oh and could you be more specific in detail about how that 5th set tie break was so perfectly played?
Loved this! I admit was hoping for your take on Lois Boisson as well - we frenchies were so happy to see her advance so fast and so far after her injury!
ugh, i had a whole section about her and then the post got too long 😩 i will pick it up as a question in the next newsletter and write about her on friday, i promise!
I haven't surveyed all of your other readers, but I've never gotten to the end of one of your newsletters and thought, "That was too long." Give us more of the good stuff!
Yay!
It actually wasn't the first time that Jannik threw a racquet! He also did against Altmaier in 2023 at Roland Garros, when he lost in 5 sets to him in R2. Conclusion: to try and make Jannik Sinner throw a racquet, you must first take him to 5 sets on clay.
Things that make me happy today:
The insightful writing of Andrea, taking us into the players' mindset that helps us understand better the ebbs and flows of this beautiful game.
The lovely turns of phrase in her writing. To wit:
-- Yes, Carlos loses a set here and there (I still think he just gets bored and likes the friction)
-- Without (Sinner), Carlos’ beautifully original mind becomes a butterfly that wants to see a million flowers.
-- The fact that Jannik Sinner is so humble but strangely vain about his hair when he takes his hat off makes me very happy.
I admit it, I first started following Andrea because of the Petko dance. Then, I heard her interviewed at length several times and realized that she's kinda brilliant. She shows that — and her wonderful personality that the Petko dance only hinted to — over and over again.
Thank you, Andrea.
Thanks, Andrea! I have a question. The finalist in a championship match at a major has accomplished what 126 other entrants could not. The champion is quickly enabled to celebrate with his or her team in the stands, while the finalist is left on court with his or her despair and disappointment. What is it that keeps the finalist from going into the stands to share the burden of this moment with his or her team, who certainly must be sharing the same despair on behalf of their player?
Thanks for this great post from someone on the inside of tennis. Big up to Coco for her first Roland Garros championship. Sabalenka received some blow back on her comments about how Coco played. As for Alcaraz and Sinner what can one say? You have provided quality perspective on the match and fine points of the game. Bravo!
Great post and summation. Thank you. Besides being able to watch these amazing matches, your blog adds sane and welcome texture😊🍷!
Batman needs Joker. Joker needs Batman.
Carlos is Batman (the nine o'clock shadow), Jannik is Joker (ginger curls)? Except both are the nicest of guys, so not quite. 😍
Woe to the rest of the field, I'm afraid Gotham Open is only big enough for these two...
Great post as always! So envious of the beauty and humor in your prose, in a second language no less!
My question involves players and their ability (or not) to make friends on the tour. In Agassi’s heartfelt memoir he talks about the loneliness of the tennis life. You have an entourage, but they’re your employees. I assume some players yearn for a friend who could understand their life. I suspect some players made friends in juniors or by being from the same country or from the same academy, but can you become friends with someone on tour? A rival? Evert and Navratilova are close friends now, but Evert says she couldn’t go there when they were competing. Federer and Nadal seemed to find a friendship near the end of their careers, but by that point both had their biggest foe as Father Time. Andreescu said she felt isolated in the locker room after her injuries, and her rise was so fast not many knew her that well. I see Andreeva and Katatkina clowning around on a video podcast and I hope my favorite players are finding fellow players to have a laugh with off the court, but I have to assume it’s hard, especially for introverts.
“Without him (Sinner), Carlos’ beautifully original mind becomes a butterfly that wants to see a million flowers.” 🦋 Such an amazing metaphor! 👏🏼❣️
What a match! While heartbreaking for Jannik I think it’s incredible that he was able to put himself in that position after everything he’s been through over the last year. To quote Murray - he’s getting closer. And yes, put the stamina question to bed. Your analysis of Coco is fantastic and is making me think about weapons differently. Beautifully written as always 👏🏼
Once again you entertain, you analyze, and you bring smiles. Such great analysis. Thanks for all of it.
Agree with your take on Alcaraz and consistency. I think too many commentators have latched onto the idea that he’s erratic. It’s more that he peaks for the biggest matches. Since he won his first Slam, he hasn’t played more than two without winning one. He’s won half of the last 10 Slams he’s played. Since winning the 2022 US Open, he has lost only once in a Slam before the quarterfinals. And he understands the scoring system! Losing a set in the early rounds doesn’t mean anything unless he’s running himself down, which he isn’t.
Can't believe I missed Jannik throwing his racket. I must rewatch 5hrs 29mins of tennis to locate that exact moment! It's better than the extended version of LOTR.
I love that we got to see him mildly perturbed when That Call was called in. I wanted both men to win, but I also wanted Carlos to defend the trophy for the narrative.
My questions for you are:
- Does grass make Jannik a more dangerous player than when he is on clay?
- Do you think Iga will be able to adapt her game on grass eventually?
- Will you be at Laver Cup this year? I loved your interviews.
Just want to say, I love your writing a lot :)
Really like the happy/unhappy sections. I remember watching you play, then on TV exploring your passions, and now loving your writing. The tennis world needs your voice!
Hugs and Love...