Laurie's Tennis articles

2 001 Wimbledon has gone down as one of the greatest championships in the Open era and Grand Slam history.   There was great drama throughout, and great weather up until semifinals day, when the tension reached unbearable levels, climaxing with the incredible and unprecedented “people’s final” which took place on the 3rd Monday.   The final between Goran Ivanisevic and Pat Rafter will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it, watched it on television or listened to it on the radio. What set up this particular Wimbledon to be one of the greatest tournaments was the dramatic defeat of Pete Sampras by Roger Federer in the 4th round on the 2nd Monday.   Sampras went into the event without a tournament win for a year, but was still defending champion and number 1 seed.   It was an almighty close battle which Federer edged 7:5 in the fifth set. The defeat was hugely significant because it gave the remaining players a lift that they had a ch...

Jo Wilfried Tsonga is one of the more talented players in the ATP top 10.   He plays a brand of tennis fans love to watch, particularly on the grass at Queens and Wimbledon. Recently Tsonga employed a full time coach for the first time in over a year.    His choice of coach was Australian Roger Rasheed, a man who has worked with Lleyton Hewitt and Gael Monfils and is considered to be a tough coach, one who works his pupils hard.   So it is an interesting choice for Tsonga at this stage of his career. That’s because Tsonga has suddenly reached middle age in tennis terms, teetering on veteran status.   At the age of 28, there are not that many years left to be had in the top 10, and now would be as good a time as any to try to win a maiden grand slam title.   Tsonga’s final appearance in the 2008 Australian Open showed what he is capable of as an attacking force.   Injuries and inconsistency have slowed Tsonga down slightly, and he...

It is spring 2013 and we are finally escaping the heart of a prolonged winter.   Traditionally at this juncture of a decade, a new generation has fully emerged and taken over the top of the world rankings. This has certainly happened over the last 3 decades.   In spring 1983, John McEnroe was the clear number 1 and Ivan Lendl was close behind challenging for major titles.   In spring 1993, Pete Sampras had just taken over the number 1 position from Jim Courier.   And in spring 2003, Lleyton Hewiit was clear number 1.   Hewitt would lose that position later that year to Andy Roddick who then ceded to Roger Federer. However, in spring 2013, the rankings have a familiar feel to them, a different man is at the top but it feels like a shuffling of musical chairs.   That’s because the same guys have been top 5 since 2008.   Now you can argue that Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are the new generation who are set who are set to dominate...