Tennis Notes
- February 28, 2010
On this great day of sports, it really took the wind out of my sails to wake to find out that Nick Bollettieri was NOT accepted into the Tennis Hall of Fame. I’m not sure what the criteria is or the thought process of the voters or board, but to me, it’s a travesty. For what Nick has brought to tennis, he should have been inducted 10 years ago.
When he opened his academy in 1979, everyone thought he was crazy and it would never work, not only has it worked, it has flourished, producing top players, encouraging the sport to both amateurs and professionals, not to mention Nick himself spreading more passion on tennis than any other person involved in the sport that I know. Kudos to you Nick, for what you’ve given this sport…sooner or later they’ll come to their senses.
What an amazing two weeks for Venus Williams. At 29, people were starting to think she was slowing down, thanks for proving the skeptics wrong and stepping up and pulling off the daily double. Best of luck at the main event at Madison Square Garden tomorrow night. Hopefully, she’ll get some rest after this 3-city jaunt.
Now announcing his arrival, Latvian’s first tennis star, Ernests Gulbis, it’s taken longer than I thought it would, but all in good time. At 21 yrs old, it finally looks like Ernie is ready to make his move. He dominates at Del Ray Beach this week with an absolute beat down on Dr. Ivo, that doesn’t happen very often, much less on his birthday, ouch. This guy is the prototype of the modern player, at 6’3”, lots of hair and HUGE game! Now seems to finally understand how to play the game under the influence of Argentinean coach, Hernan Gumy. Gumy has brought much needed discipline and a solid work ethic, mix that with raw talent and we have winner, winner, chicken dinner. Amazingly, this guy won 2 consecutive matches during one tournament in 2009. The new decade seems to be treating him a lot better. He’ll bring the fear factor in upcoming tournaments.
Gut wrenching loss for USA Hockey in over time – What a day in sports!
I agree with you completely about Nick Bollettieri. Not sure if the voters are wondering, “what have you done for me lately?”
brad, nice shared thoughts. i agree nick does deserve to be recognized for all his contributions to tennis. love or hate him, he is mr tennis.
and i love seeing older players doing well, and venus is so amazing. onwe of canada’s curling team members who won gold, is 43 years old. so perhaps venus still hv much life left( well i know curling seems easier)
and gulbis, fantastic run, he is so talnted , big strokes and glad that coach helped him put it all together.felt bad for ivo,who is so nice.
thans again for your wonderful insights
lucia
Brad, I want to be honest. You are a great Coach. You deserve to be joined into the HOF. But not Nick. I hope you will not misunderstand me or avoid putting this reply in your web site. The truth is Nick is a businessman. He jsut started a business knowing that it has future. He is an intense person and detailed oriented and that helped him to explore Tennis with the help from other Geniuses. He himself is not a Genius. He used people. Monica, Agassi, ….all these players family has done a humongus amount of sacrifice in making thsoe young age foundation. Nick just used it. Pl do not try to make HOF as Business. It is a sports and for sports people who work their ass off. Thank you.
I may have to agree with Well Wisher. If at all, Bolletteri is given Hall of fame award, in future, Oh GOD….he will make hell a lot of money. He is already making lot. He make lots of money from the thousands, millions of players come there dreaming that ,they can become Great. Did he start playing tennis at what age ? College senior year ?
May be HOF start another category called best tennis Business Man, Endorser, who made more Business money out of Tennis and give one to Bolleteri. Come On Brad. Like she said, You deserve a HOF for making agassi a great, for great coaching , along with pete sampras’s coaches .
I may have to agree with Well Wisher. If at all, Bolletteri is given Hall of fame award, in future, Oh GOD….he will make hell a lot of money. He is already making lot. He make lots of money from the thousands, millions of players come there dreaming that ,they can become Great. Did he start playing tennis at what age ? College senior year ? May be HOF start another category called best tennis Business Man, Endorser, who made more Business money out of Tennis and give one to Bolleteri. Come On Brad. Like she said, You deserve a HOF for making agassi a great, for great coaching , along with pete sampras’s coaches .
+1