The Friday Five: Samurai Sam Is Back

Sam Querrey

By Maud Watson

Samurai Sam is Back – It was great to hear earlier this week that American Sam Querrey is successfully bouncing back from the freak accident he suffered in Thailand, where he fell through a glass table. Querrey admitted he wasn’t sure if he would ever play again, having cut 30 percent of two different muscles in his right forearm. He has proven resilient, however, and as of last week, was back out on the court practicing. He says all facets of his game minus the serve are where they were before the accident, and he’s optimistic that with further practice and exercise, he’ll have his monster serve up to snuff in no time. As one of the most likeable and promising young American stars, hopefully Sam can make a complete comeback and build on his great success of 2009.

More Good News for American Tennis – For the first time in two decades, more than 30 million Americans are hitting the courts, with a little over seven million of them newcomers to the game.  That is a 12 percent increase from 2008. It’s hard to tell why the jump in figures, be it grass roots efforts by the USTA, or maybe a touch of inspiration provided by some of the game’s elite, but at a time when tournaments and organizations in the sport are crying gloom and doom in this economy, it’s nice to hear some positive news.

Ban be Gone…Please? – Everyone is aware by now that Belgians Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse have been given a one-year ban for violating WADA’s controversial “whereabouts” rule. Earlier this week it was reported that both of the Belgians have put in their pleas to have those bans annulled. Wickmayer is claiming she was improperly informed of the online procedures for drug-testing, while Malisse’s defense has not been released. The CAS tribunal is expected to announce their ruling in four months. While the most important thing is that the CAS ultimately annuls their one-year bans, it is unfortunate that it will take up to four months to give a ruling. The wait will most likely mean that both players will be unable to participate in the Australian Open, which is particularly upsetting for the up-and-coming Belgian Wickmayer, who undoubtedly would cherish the opportunity to build upon her breakthrough US Open showing.

Good-bye Roddick, Hello Soderling – In a stroke of bad luck, Andy Roddick announced that he must once again pull out of the season-ending championships, this time without even playing a match.  The American is still suffering from a left knee injury he sustained in Shanghai.  Roddick’s withdrawal means that Swede Robin Soderling will be making his ATP World Tour Finals debut.  While it’s a shame that Soderling’s entry came at Roddick’s expense, I’m personally excited to see him added into the mix.  He’s been drawn into the same group as Nadal, and there could be some real fireworks as the two face each other for the first time since the Big Swede ended the Spaniard’s four-year hold on the red dirt of Roland Garros.

Now That’s Some Feat, Eh? – I’m going to throw a bone to doubles by giving some props to Canadian Daniel Nestor. Nestor teamed with Serb Nenad Zimonjic to defeat Spaniards Marcel Granollers and Tommy Robredo to claim the Paris Masters title last weekend, their fifth Masters title of 2009. The win was particularly special for Nestor, however, as with his first title win at the Paris 1000 event, he became the first player in singles or doubles to win all nine of the Masters Series titles over the course of a career.