Australian Open, 2013

For The Ages

By DownTheTee | January 18, 2013

By Jane Voigt You may remember her from her first go-round in the mid-90s. Back then her name was Kimiko Date. She has since married and now goes by Kimiko Date-Krumm (broom with a ‘k’ up front). And at 42 she is having her best results at Melbourne Park … in singles and in doubles. …

Gael Monfils … a Gifted Conundrum

By DownTheTee | January 17, 2013

By Jane Voigt For a player that won three of the four junior grand slams in one calendar year, 2004, Frenchman Gael Monfils has been a disappointment to many.  After his illustrious teen start — at The Australian Open he lost one set on his way to the title, and only one set each at…

The Branding of Tennis

By DownTheTee | January 16, 2013

By Jane Voigt You may think the governing body of men’s tennis — the ATP — has lost its collective mind when you hear this.  It has taken a step to “‘allow its players to offer a little more on-body signage for sale,’” wrote USA Today. Will hats carry logos other than their sponsors? Will shirts…

Easy

By DownTheTee | January 15, 2013

By Jane Voigt We’ve all said it, ‘They make it look so easy.’ Roger Federer ‘dances’ on court, he is so smooth. Do a quick Internet search on the #2 seed at The Australian Open and thousands of photos and videos will instantly be at your clicking command.  You’ll see the ease with which he swings his Wilson racquet.…

Predictions

By DownTheTee | January 14, 2013

By Jane Voigt We don’t need a Ouija Board and seance to predict who might win the Australian Open on either side of the gender split.  The men’s side is locked up, or we not-so-boldly assert. And the women’s side is much the same.  Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, is seeded #1. He’s followed by Roger Federer…

And So It Begins

By DownTheTee | January 13, 2013

By Jane Voigt It’s the light that distinguishes the Australian Open from its three sister Grand Slams.  At once harsh and welcoming, the summer glow from the courts of Melbourne make spectators squint at first. The sun seems to cast no shadows, it is so intense and masterful. And the courts are so blue under…