Lexington Challenger 2023: Part 2
Tennis Abides
by Dan Martin
7M ago
The quality of this first set in the finals of The Lexington Challenger between top-seeded Arthur Cazaux of France and 2nd-seeded Steve Johnson of USA is quite impressive. I’m pulling for the old guy. pic.twitter.com/RPLcEdhbw5 — John Huang (@KYHuangs) August 6, 2023 Journalist and one heckuva (a Kentucky term) nice guy John Huang took nearly identical photos to those taken by my son (see my son’s photo at the bottom) I love the Masters Cincinnati event. I have been actively lobbying to keep it in Cincinnati despite its new owners being located in Charlotte. I do think challenger events are ..read more
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Lexington Challenger 2023: Part 1 – Excellent Players Find Ways to Stay Close
Tennis Abides
by Dan Martin
7M ago
This is the first of at least two posts on my experiences as a spectator at the 2023 Lexington Challenger. Listen to my thoughts on how both finalists stayed in sets despite being outplayed for the first 8 games. Steve Johnson defeated Arthur Cazaux 7-6(5), 6-4 to take the 2023 Lexington Challenger. Both men weathered storms when not playing as well as their opponent. Cazaux is 20 years old and has many weapons and a lot of touch. The 33-year-old Johnson used his experience well in the closing moments of the match. Johnson serving to Cazaux in the 1st set ..read more
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Quick Hit: Tennis Cannot Be a Prisoner to Its Past
Tennis Abides
by Dan Martin
8M ago
To which tennis says, “Hold my Honey Deuce. We’ll raise your ‘20 years ago’ make it ‘40 years ago.’” https://t.co/qBxoTZxd2W — Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) August 3, 2023 The above response from Jon Wertheim to the notion that basketball has suffered due to constantly comparing the current NBA to the NBA of the 1990s is spot on. For how many years have we heard the tennis media and many tennis fans lament that someone is NOT Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, or …? (too many years is the quick answer) Rafael Nadal wants tennis to thrive after he retires (why would he hav ..read more
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My Most Complicated Match in Tennis Coaching: 2022 Kentucky High School Doubles State Championship
Tennis Abides
by Dan Martin
8M ago
Listen to my Podcast About the Most Complicated Match I’ve been a part of as a Coach ICYMI: ‘22 grad and back-to-back doubles state champion, Ty Bush has been named 2022 Mr. Tennis! Bush and @StXTigerTennis swept the KHSAA State Tournament, claiming first place in singles (Eli Stephenson), doubles (Ty Bush and Tommy Scanlan), and team. Go Tigers! pic.twitter.com/Q5sGSJ1BFD — Xavier News (@stxtigers_news) June 10, 2022 Photo by Bogdan Glisik on Pexels.com ..read more
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22 Parting Shots from the 2023 Australian Open
Tennis Abides
by Dan Martin
1y ago
Why 22? Well … Djokovic's Lacoste 22 jacket is pic.twitter.com/jaM1JGdI08 — Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) January 29, 2023 Novak Djokovic is in firm control of the ATP Tour after ending 2022 and starting 2023 with big wins. Aryna Sabalenka rebuilt her serve and conquered mental hurdles en route to winning this event. The pain of her 2022 US Open semifinal loss seems like a distant memory. Elena Rybakina is a major champion and will contend for years to come. Her game seems quite unshakable. Stefanos Tsitsipas’ mental game has made huge strides since losing to Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon 20 ..read more
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Wimbledon 2022: Djokovic vs. Kyrgios Championship Prediction
Tennis Abides
by Dan Martin
1y ago
Novak Djokovic vs. Nick Kyrgios I am going to keep this short. Kyrgios does have a head-to-head advantage. 2017 was not Novak’s best year in terms of health, confidence, or results. So the two head-to-head matches probably don’t mean too much in 2022. Kyrgios knows he can win. That is the extent of what their head-to-head matches mean. Nick Kyrgios has one clear advantage. His serve is a massive weapon that will lead to a number of routine holds. One could debate other shots between the two. Nick probably also has the better overhead. Most other strokes would either be a draw or lean in Djokov ..read more
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Wimbledon 2022 Women’s Final Prediction – Ons Jabeur vs. Elena Rybakina
Tennis Abides
by Dan Martin
1y ago
Ons Jabeur vs. Elena Rybakina: Who Can Force the Other to Play Defense? Ons Jabeur has incredible hands and touch on both her approach shots and volleys. This puts a certain amount of pressure on an opponent. She also has the ability to “inject pace” (borrowed phrase from Howard Bryant) in what seem to be neutral baseline rallies. Again this puts pressure on an opponent. The first player from Kazakhstan to reach a Grand Slam semifinal Elena Rybakina | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/Dq4ycqYaS2 — wta (@WTA) July 6, 2022 Aces anyone? Elena Rybakina is a pure power player. Grass courts typically ..read more
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Tennis in Five Minutes or Less: Djokovic vs. Norrie
Tennis Abides
by Dan Martin
1y ago
Check out my new podcast. I will get better at integrating these into the site, but I look forward to adding a new method for engaging all topics related to tennis. Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com ..read more
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A Few Thoughts on Tennis & Pickleball
Tennis Abides
by Dan Martin
1y ago
Preface – I do not hate pickleball. I don’t like seeing tennis courts at public parks being replaced by pickleball courts. It seems like a park can host plenty of both courts. A recent debate involving retired pro tennis players caused me to dig a bit deeper into pickleball’s rules and relationship to tennis. I fell asleep halfway through the dinking. Who won? — Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) June 13, 2022 One Possibility – Church League Softball Equivalent? A lot of people who never played an inning of big-time baseball (you determine what big-time would mean) love Major League Baseball and play ..read more
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2022 Midyear Report
Tennis Abides
by Dan Martin
1y ago
Tennis Abides is back, and that will require a longer post at some point, but I will just say life happens for the time being. 2022 Midyear Report Male Player of the Year to this Point: Rafael Nadal – Rafa won a tune-up in Australia, then improbably won his 2nd Australian Open with the first coming in 2009, then won in Mexico, and finally lost a match at Indian Wells. A wobbly, by Rafa’s standards, clay season rounded into form with a 14th Roland Garros Title. Female Player of the Year to this Point: Iga Swiatek – Iga played well in Australia reaching the semifinal round. She has dominated in ..read more
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