Greatness, within their grasp

Djokovic falls to Rochus and 24 hours later Murray falls to Mardy Fish. What is going on with the top seeds in Men’s tennis? I’m inclined to just pick on Murray and Djoko and write a blog titled ‘Choking on the air at the top’. But I’m not convinced any of the top guys are in any better position.

This is a golden opportunity for Nadal to regain is number 2 ranking. It’s unlikely that it will happen here, but he can certainly gain ground with a strong finish in Key Biscayne. Problem is I don’t think Nadal will go deep in this draw. The rest of the field is looking at the top 4 guys and they see opportunity; and when opportunity presents itself, they’re gonna grab it…or are they. That’s the thing about opportunity, when it presents itself you still need courage to reach for it.

Our Miami Vice - Men's Preview

The most historical tour event outside of the slams starts tomorrow, and ever since Butch Buchholz led the charge in 1983 to stage the best coed (non-slam) tennis tournament in the world; to the fruition of that dream in 1988 when he found its permanent home and built one of the world's finest tennis stadiums, Miami has been a dream event for players and fans alike.

It has went though several name changes (International Players Championships, Lipton Championships) but it has always boasted a slam field and with a schedule that spans the majority of a fortnight and to me just feels positively GRAND.

California Dream'n?

The first 1000 event of the season is here. Almost everyone is playing (sans the Williams sisters and Delpo) but why does it feel like a fall 1000 event rather than a spring event? Too many players are hurt, the top players speak about developing and finding their games, no one is talking about winning.

It’s not like this is New Haven leading into the US Open, this is the first of five (almost consecutive) 1000 events, with the French Open looming way, way off in the distance.