Chris Evert Heads the Class: Women’s Tennis’ Top French Open Finalists

How do you measure the greatness of an athlete within their respective sport? What factors determine the degree of greatness over a period of time, be it years or decades? Further, how do you determine who is number one in any given list or ranking? First you must find a pattern and then you must determine the significant components of the ranking—does each factor merit being used as part... 

Monte Carlo Smackdown: Rafael Nadal Negates Fernando Verdasco

For most people, the final on Sunday in Monte Carlo would have been as dry and unappetizing as Zwieback toast because, let’s face it, Fernando Verdasco was not up to the task of stopping Rafael Nadal’s climb back onto the throne in his very own clay-court kingdom. It was a smackdown of gigantic importance for someone in the top 10 of men’s professional tennis, which Verdasco will... 

From Andre Agassi to Bjorn Borg: The Top 10 French Open Finalists

What is it about the red clay at Stade Roland Garros that lifts some players to great heights while stopping others dead in their tracks? Is it a lack of patience or mental acumen that causes some great players to shut down on the red dirt? The fact remains that in order to get to the very top of the men’s game, you must find an answer to the clay courts at the French Open. For this ranking,... 

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on Clay: A Reversal of Tennis Fortunes

The 2009 season did not begin well for the man from Switzerland, Roger Federer. He made headlines after the Australian Open, but not because he won—because he cried a river after his loss. As did his fans. He did everything better than Rafael Nadal except win the big points when it mattered, losing 5-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3, 2-6. His tears were out of frustration and anger at himself when he felt the... 

Roger Federer to Nikolay Davydenko: Measuring the Depth on Clay

How do you measure the worth of a man—or, more specifically, the relative strength of a professional tennis player? You do it by looking at their ranking points. It is simple enough. The player with the most points earned by participating in tournaments, some mandatory and some voluntary, lets you know where this player stands compared to his peers.  Right now, the current No. 1 player... 

Martina Navratilova vs. Chris Evert: The Greatest Rivarly in Women’s Tennis

As half of one of the greatest sports rivalries of all time, Chris Evert is probably the “half” less appreciated today. Her battles with Martina Navratilova grew to legendary status as they met so often in the final of majors. The fact that Navratilova’s career extended years beyond Evert’s is perhaps part of the reason the Czech-American is better known today.

 Evert... 

Moving On from the Miami Finals: Are the Top Four Developing Feet of Clay?

What can you say about the semifinal match Friday in Miami between Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick except that it emphasized the anomaly of the top four players in the world not winning on American hard courts? They have not even come close—none of the top four in men’s tennis have made it to the finals so far in 2010 at the current Masters Series 1000 events—a place where they usually... 

Jelena Jankovic Enjoying Catbird Seat Atop Women’s Tennis Power Rankings

The action is hot and heavy this week in Miami.  It marks the end of the traditional hard court season in America before the world turns to clay in April.  The surprises on the women’s tour continue as Serbian Jelena Jankovic overcomes her slump to take the No. 1 spot in our Power Rankings this week after winning the tournament in Indian Wells. You just have to wonder who will orchestrate... 

Miami Masters 2004 Rewind: Birthplace of the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal Rivalry

The root of the rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer began in Miami when the Spaniard was a teenager with a huge reserve of self-belief.  As the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open begins in earnest this week, it might be interesting and informative to examine the tournament that set the bar for their future encounters. Early on, playing practically perfect tennis against Federer evolved into an... 

WTA Sony Ericsson Open: Will the Top Seeds Survive the Heat in Miami?

Action gets under way this week in Miami for the ladies at the Sony Ericsson Open. The absences of Serena Williams, world No. 1, and Dinara Safina, currently ranked No. 3, pave the way for other top players to add a unique piece of glassware to the mantle—as well as all those requisite ranking points that go along with such a substantial victory. Certainly, all four of the top seeds must have... 

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