I love watching
clay matches and I’m truly in to this match, but Ferrer reminds (by name) me of
Juan Carlos Ferrero and I am curious as to what he is up to. In 2003, I had the
good fortune of seeing Roddick defeat him at the U.S. Open and meeting Andy in Times Square the very next day – another story for
another time.
As I jump on-line
to check my regular sources, I see that Gustav “Guga” Kuerten has been elected
to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this summer. I am so
damn pleased.
Just the other day
my father and I were discussing tennis players from days gone by (not that Guga
is far gone at all) and I mentioned his attitude and how fun he was to watch on
court. He has textbook mechanics, graceful strokes and a rhythm I would compare
to Federer, but I believe Guga’s one-hand backhand was more deadly in his time
than Roger’s is now.
Clay was his
surface and he knew how to use it to his advantage – powerful top spin strokes
into deep court along with intermediate pace wide and shallow shots and
droppers that allowed that tall frame and wingspan to come to the net for the
kill.
I only wish his
injuries weren’t keeping him from prime time competition. We could use some more court character on the
pro tour right now.
He’s probably out
surfing right now at Praia Brava.
Congratulations
Guga!
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