Australia’s Davis Cup selections will come down to a battle of the wills that it sounds like Pat Rafter is determined to win, refusing to let the cocky, but talented, 20 year old call the shots.
During the Australian Open Bernard Tomic sounded like a petulant child when describing his potential contribution to the Davis Cup team, essentially saying that Pat would hear from him when Bernard wanted to play. Read more
Posted in Andy Roddick, Australian Open, Bernard Tomic, Davis Cup, Pat Rafter, Roger Federer, US Open
Bernard Tomic has repeatedly accused the Queensland police of deliberately treating him unfairly. The top Australian player who Pat Rafter refused to use in Davis Cup until he started behaving better has again broken the law and lost his license. Tomic will face traffic court for two offenses on Australia Day.
After his previous infringements Tomic had 1 point remaining on his license and was placed on a 12 month good behaviour license. After being busted in his new yellow Ferrari (so much for not driving such a powerful car) he was fined $220 and docked 3 points and will face court to see how long he faces being without a license. Read more
Posted in Bernard Tomic, Davis Cup, Media, Pat Rafter
Bernard Tomic is in trouble again.
Police were called on Monday to a Surfers Paradise hotel early in the morning after two men were seen fighting in a spa, one trying to strangle the other near the edge of a balcony. Apparently Tomic asked police if they knew who he was when they attended the scene. Read more
Posted in Bernard Tomic, John Tomic, Media, Pat Rafter, Roger Rasheed
In much the same way as we had Michael Clarke and Pat Rafter for Bonds now we have another (hotter) duo… Cristiano Ronaldo V Rafa Nadal for Nike!
Enjoy!
Posted in Cristiano Ronaldo, Media, Nike, Pat Rafter, Rafael Nadal
Photos are slowly emerging from the Australian Open players party. It looks like 
David Nalbandian was having a great time and Bernard Tomic seems to have found himself a date. Read more
It doesn’t matter if you like Bernard Tomic or not but you have to give the kid some credit for coming back from two sets to love down against Igor Andreev. After their match was suspended at 2-1 Tomic spoke to Todd Woodbridge as he was leaving the Wimbledon site saying he thought he’d worked Andreev out finally.
Sure enough when they returned yesterday with just two sets remaining it was Tomic who seemed to have figure out an answer as he accelerated to a 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 win. Read more
Posted in Bernard Tomic, Igor Andreev, Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter, Robin Soderling, Wimbledon
Try as I might I will never be able to pick a top ten that pleases everyone.
Over time we’ve had some pretty good looking tennis players to watch on our screen, both male and female. Sure in the 80′s there were some good looking players we may not have noticed because they had the fluffy hair, scary eyebrows and strange fashion sense but some things get better with age (think George Clooney).
So here’s my top ten men and women of all time .
To all those out there like my mum who harbour a deep unending love for Stefan Edberg… I’m sorry. Read more
Posted in Ana Ivanovic, Anna Kournikova, Armani, Barbara Schett, Bjorn Borg, Calvin Klein, Daniela Hantuchova, Elena Dementieva, Feliciano Lopez, Fernando Gonzalez, Fernando Verdasco, Gabriela Sabatini, Gisela Dulko, Jan Michael Gambill, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Marat Safin, Maria Kirilenko, Maria Sharapova, Mark Philippoussis, Media, Novak Djokovic, Pat Rafter, Rafael Nadal
The biggest flood disaster in Australia’s history has received a boost today from the Tennis community who were overwhelmed by the shear enormity of the disaster. Huge floods and walls of water smothered Queensland. Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia are also struggling with floods.
Today at Rod Laver Arena a packed house helped tennis stars raise over $1 million dollars to help recovery and relief efforts. Read more
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On Sunday Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Pat Rafter, Novak Djokovic, Sam Stosur, Kim Clijsters and Lleyton Hewitt will join together to raise money for the Queensland flood relief fund. All of these players, excluding Rafter, joined together for a similar exhibition last year called Hit for Haiti. This year it will be called Rally for Relief.
Sam Stosur, whose family was displaced in the Queensland flood in the 80′s, will be donating $100 for every ace she serves this summer.
No word yet on if Jim Courier will provide his services as chair umpire again.
The tickets are for Sunday at 2pm and are first come best dressed.
“Along with many of the other players I was moved by the devastation caused by the floods in Australia. We just wanted to do something to help aid the recovery because we know there are thousands of Australians who will continue to suffer as a result of this disaster.” – Roger Federer
“This is a terrible tragedy, not only the loss of life but the destruction of people’s homes. I am pleased to be able to contribute in some way to help bring it to the attention of the world and raise some money for the victims in the process.” – Rafael Nadal
“As an Australian I cannot help but be touched by such an awful turn of events. It is a disaster on a massive scale. Australians are incredible at pulling together in times of crisis and this is certainly one of those times. If the tennis community can also help play a role in the recovery then we should, both in Australia and internationally. I just think at a time like this it is a case of getting all hands on deck.” – Lleyton Hewitt
“The plight of the flood victims has well and truly struck a chord with the entire tennis fraternity. As a Queenslander I am really heartened by the concern and the keenness from our sport to get in and do something to ease the suffering. I know on the scale of things our contribution is only a small one, but it is good to be able to help out.” – Pat Rafter
“A lot of us just want to make some sort of contribution. It breaks my heart to see what is happening to thousands of people in these floods. I am rapt that the biggest names in our sport are so keen to focus on this despite the fact that the Australian Open starts the next day.” – Sam Stosur
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Bernard Tomic has been rewarded for his form in Sydney with a wild card into the Australian Open but has been warned by Tennis Australia that he must put more effort into his career. Todd Woodbridge announced today on channel 7two (normal channel viewing was taken by extensive flood coverage) that the teenager would be given a chance but that both he and his father have been told that Bernard’s competition schedule last year was insufficient and he needs to play more if he wants more chances.
Carsten Ball has also received a wild card.
“These are always difficult decisions. He needed to produce something in Sydney and he has done that with three good wins. His tennis has now earned this wild card. We wanted to see players achieve some results, and Carsten has certainly done that throughout the year.
Bernard is a talent but cannot be rewarded with a wild card on that alone, nor should he ever expect that. He has not had much tennis and he missed the AO playoff, so the pressure was on him to perform, particularly after he did not play well in Brisbane.
He had not done enough. He needed to produce something in Sydney and he has done that with three good wins. His tennis has now earned this wild card.” -Todd Woodbridge
“In making these decisions, we are also looking at creating a culture that will help us build a strong Davis Cup team. I want to see a real work ethic, attitude and sense of camaraderie that reflects our proud tennis history. That’s always stood out as being a point of difference with the Aussie players.” – Pat Rafter
