Naomi Osaka’s Mental Game Growing Right Before Our Eyes As She Digs Deep To Win 2019 Australian Open

A few weeks ago at the 2019 Brisbane International, Naomi Osaka played a semifinal match against Lesia Tsurenko that she lost in possibly one of the worst ways a player can lose. It wasn’t the 2 and 4 scoreline. That’s not that bad. What made that match stand out in a negative way was that … Continue reading →

Simona Halep, 2018 Roland Garros Champion

I will admit, I shed a tear this time. Well, maybe a tear or two. Simona Halep was due this. I understand that nobody in sports is owed anything. No matter how many close calls an athlete has, in the end it is in their hands whether they win or lose. You have to do … Continue reading →

Australian Open 2018: Sweet Caroline!

The women’s final at the 2018 Australian Open was going to be special regardless of the outcome. It was a battle between the top two ranked players in the world. But more than that, it was a battle between arguably the two best players currently on tour without a Major win in singles. While it … Continue reading →

Australian Open 2018: SI-MO-NA! SI-MO-NA! SI-MO-NA!

Simona Halep is already on my current Mount Rushmore of favorite tennis players, but my respect for her has grown even more during the 2018 Australian Open. She has emerged victorious in arguably the two best matches of the tournament. Her 15-13 third set escape over Lauren Davis and her 9-7 third set classic over … Continue reading →

Australian Open 2018: Simona Halep Survives Marathon Upset Bid; Madison Keys Quietly Advances

After Madison Keys won her third round match at the 2018 Australian Open I was going to make this post about how the young American was flying under the radar while others were spoken of as favorites for the women’s singles title. I suppose you could say that I just did that. Madison Keys has … Continue reading →

Australian Open 2018: Too Early To Hope For Keys, Halep and Sharapova?

Okay, here’s the thing. Three of my four favorite players, Madison Keys, Maria Sharapova, and Simona Halep, have all won their first two matches at the 2018 Australian Open. Two matches is far short of the seven you need to win a major. Not only that, Keys and Halep have never won a major. So … Continue reading →

Australian Open 2018: Americans Falling Early Down Under

Wow. Just wow. It wasn’t merely that the American women are falling like flies early at the 2018 Australian Open. It’s that they’re falling so very early. The entire tournament was only a few hours old when three out of the four 2017 US Open Women’s singles semi-finalists were already gone. Venus Williams. Gone. Coco … Continue reading →

Australian Open 2018: Women’s Singles Title Will Be Won By…Somebody?

I have no idea who’s going to win the women’s singles title at the Australian Open 2018. I suppose technically nobody really knows unless you somehow have a sports almanac from the future and you’re busy amassing your fortune. The defending champion, Serena Williams, isn’t quite ready to come back and compete. There were some … Continue reading →

Claire Liu Wins 2017 Wimbledon Girls’ Singles

Before I comment on this result, if you want to see this match and have the WatchESPN app, do a search for Liu inside the app. I don’t know how long they will keep the replay of the Girls final available, but one day later it’s there. I’m rewatching it as I post this. I … Continue reading →

Garbiñe Muguruza Wins Wimbledon 2017

Big stages bring out the best in Garbiñe Muguruza. A few weeks ago in Eastbourne, the 23-year old Spaniard/Venezuelan was beaten 6-1 6-0 by Barbora Strycova. I honestly don’t think those types of losses bother Garbi much at all. She seems to live for the large spotlight. In the largest spotlight in the sport, a … Continue reading →