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Happy Birthday Mr. Tennis Encyclopedia

June 16, 2009 By Randy Walker Leave a Comment

Bud Collins, the walking tennis encyclopedia and author of the definitive tennis book THE BUD COLLINS HISTORY OF TENNIS ($35.95, New Chapter Press, www.tennistomes.com) will celebrate his 80th birthday on Wednesday, June 17 – the same day that defending Wimbledon champion Venus Williams will celebrate her 29th birthday.

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Filed Under: Archives, Lead Story Tagged With: ATP, Australian Open, Betsy Nagelsen, Bill Talbert, Bjorn Borg, Bobby Riggs, Boris Becker, Bud Collins, Chris Evert, Davis Cup, Don McNeill, Emilio Sanchez, French Championships, French Open, Gerry Weber Open, HEAD, Holcombe Ward, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Jelena Jankovic, John McEnroe, Juliette Atkinson, Maria Sharapova, Marion Bartoli, Michael Chang, NBC, NBC Sports, New York Times, Olga Morozova, Olivier Rochus, Olympics, On This Day In Tennis History, Roger Federer, Roland Garros, Tennis, Tennis History, US Open, Venus Williams, Wimbledon

Lived up to the hype!

July 8, 2008 By Bill Mountford 8 Comments

Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim previewed the Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer Wimbledon final by suggesting that it was the most anticipated championship final in the history of our sport. High praise indeed, but when does the competition outdistance the hype in this day and age? Practically never is when.

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Filed Under: Archives, Lead Story Tagged With: A Champions Mind, Andre Agassi, Bill Simmons, Bjorn Borg, Bob Bryan, Bob Lutz, Boris Becker, Daniel NEstor, Dennis van der Meer, Donald Dell, Eugene Scott, Gustavo Kuerten, Ivan Lendl, Jennifer Capriati, Jim Courier, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, John Newcombe, Jon Wertheim, Jonas Bjorkman, Justine Henin, Katarina Srebotnik, Ken Flach, Lleyton Hewitt, Mark McCormack, Mark Woodforde, Martina Hingis, Mats Wilander, Michael Stich, Mike Bryan, Monica Seles, NBC Sports, Nick Bollettieri, Pete Sampras, Rafael Nadal, Robert Seguso, Rod Laver, Roger Federer, Sammy Stosur, Serena Williams, Sports Illustrated, Stan Smith, Stefan Edberg, Todd Woodbridge, Venus Williams, Wayne Bryan, Yevgeny Kafelnikov

Ask Bill: Looking Back to Paris; Looking Ahead to Wimbledon

June 11, 2008 By Bill Mountford Leave a Comment

Roger Federer’s performance in the Roland Garros final against Rafael Nadal was reminiscent of Muhammad Ali’s fight against Larry Holmes. A mismatch from the start, Ali pulled out his tricks but had no answers for the younger, stronger Holmes, and was battered mercilessly.

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Filed Under: Archives, Lead Story Tagged With: Ai Sugiyama, All-England club, Beijing, Bjorn Borg, Bryan Brothers, Darren Cahill, Eastbourne, ESPN, Guga, Gustavo Kuerten, Hall of Fame Championships, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Larry Holmes, Mighty Mac, Mike Bryan, Muhammad Ali, NBC Sports, Novak Djokovic, Olympics, Pablo Cuevas, Peruvian Luis Horna, Queens Club, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Roland Garros, Slazenger, The Championships, Venus Rosewater Dish, Wimbledon, Yannick Noah