By Maud Watson
End of an Era? – Earlier this week, it was announced that some of the ATP players are proposing a sort of “World Cup” biennial tournament to be played in place of the present Davis Cup competition. The ITF is understandably defending the Davis Cup, which began over a century ago when the United States faced the British Isles in 1900 (USA victory). I have to admit I’m torn on this one. I respect the historical significance of the Davis Cup competition, but the reality is, there may not be a place for it in today’s game. With players such as Andy Murray, Roger Federer and now James Blake and Andy Roddick citing the demands of the Tour as a reason to forgo representing their countries in the current Davis Cup format, it’s become increasingly obvious that a change is needed. Plenty more details of this new proposal need to be reviewed, but I’m personally thinking that change may not be such a bad thing. It might just be what ultimately revitalizes the nation vs. nation competition that Hall of Famer Dwight Davis dreamed of over a century ago.
It’s Over – Well, who didn’t see this one coming? Golfer Greg Norman and tennis great Chris Evert have put an end to their 18-month marriage, with friends citing a case of two overgrown egos as the main catalyst behind the split. According to sources, no money exchanged hands. At least both can be grateful their divorce caused far less drama than the divorces that preceded their marriage.
Early Setbacks – One has to feel for Argentine David Nalbandian. The former Top 10 player was set to make his comeback in Auckland this week after a long injury lay off due to hip surgery. Instead, he was forced to pull out with an abdominal strain, which has now also forced him out of the first major of the year. He is not the only casualty, however. Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu has also had to withdraw with a groin injury, while Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero, Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro and Frenchman Gael Monfils are all doubts for the Australian Open with their current injury woes.
What Year is it Again? – Earlier this past weekend, I thought it was 2003 or 2004. I’m watching the final in Brisbane, and it’s Kim Clijsters vs. Justine Henin in what Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim rightfully declared one of the early candidates for match of the year. This match had everything. It was high quality tennis, it was compatriot vs. compatriot, and it was two of the game’s most exciting players in the early stages of their second careers. While I’m not sure what it says about women’s tennis that these two extraordinary competitors can come back and so quickly dominate the bulk of the women’s field after having sat out for a couple of years, there’s no doubt that women’s tennis hasn’t looked this scintillating in quite some time.
The Silent Killer Strikes Again – Diminutive Russian Nikolay Davydenko is doing his best to prove that his championship run at the ATP World Tour Finals was no fluke. At his opening tournament of the year in Doha, Davydenko cruised over World No. 1 Federer in straight sets before going on to save two match points and defeat World No. 2 Rafael Nadal in an epic final. This has to be doing a lot to boost the Russian’s confidence, and Davydenko may just be ready to claim his first Grand Slam singles title.
