Burton DeWitt (Wayne Arthurs): Without a doubt, Wayne Arthurs. I idolize him unlike any other athlete. His down-to-earth persona mixed with his human nerves and his desire to give all of himself for his team inspired me.
I was never a good individual athlete, and Arthurs was never the best individual tennis player, but he always stepped it up when the Davis Cup was on the line.
Even though I am not Aussie, I felt like one whenever I watched Wayno out there sporting the green and yellow, raising the Davis Cup with his teammates.
I always have been a team player in an individual sport, wrestling, and no athlete in an individual sport has ever been more a team player than Wayno.
In January, when I was down on my luck, Wayno winning the legends doubles title made me feel like a Grand Slam champion, which was exactly what I needed.
So he is my favorite athlete, but he is also the athlete I can most connect with. I doubt how that could ever change.
LJS: Yeah, I knew it was Wayno. That’s why we are a true Melting POT. In the year 2008, when we have Rodge, Rafa and Joker fans all around, how unique is it for someone to like Wayne Arthurs. Cheers, Mate. I also thought you might go for Pancho Gonzo, but I knew Wayne was a fair shot too. Cheers.
JAA (Mats Wilander): It goes without saying that I adore Roger Federer...he is the best I have ever seen play the game. By playing the game, I mean in all of its subtleties: from power to movement, from grace to aggression, from net to baseline and all points in between.
There are players who serve faster, whose baseline play is more consistent at times, who may move side to side quicker or carve out a better dropshot...but no one puts it all together consistently better than Federer.
Still playing the game, he handles himself with delicious aplomb.
But the player I "connect" with and who is no longer playing the game is Mats Wilander.
As a player, he was tremendously tenacious, and he tormented his opponents. He would never quit. He played top ten tennis for six brilliant years, and after achieving the No. 1 ranking in 1988 lost his fire...but while he was there, he blazed.
Now he and I share a common taste in music; we both love Bob Dylan and Neil Young, even as they age. We share a common temperament and a common outlook on life.
We both love tennis and we both appreciate the advances in the game and rue the loss of the all-court thinking-man's game.
Looking Forward: Tennis 2009 and Football bowl season! And most of all getting lots of presents from Santa for being a good girl this year!! jaa
LJS: I am proud, seems like I know my team well. I knew it was Mats. I don’t think he lost fire, that’s why he and Raf are similar at this point. I think Mats expended so much energy getting to No. 1, that he was done and exhausted when he actually got there. Thanks for all your invaluable contributions in here, by this point you should know am a huge FAN.
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about 1 month ago
Hey Long - great job! Enjoyed reading everyone's comments. Nice variety of players and time periods, etc. thanks for thinking of the idea and pulling it all together! Loved some of the asides! jaa
from about 1 month ago
WHICH asides ?
about 1 month ago
jeff g - my editor just left a feedback
he thought it was very cool to ask - whom you connect with rather than whom you Like .... that was interesting
about 1 month ago
I meant your asides--your comments! jaa
about 1 month ago
Somehow I knew when JAA asked if it could be a former pro that she was gonna pick Mats. Of course, anyone who knew me probably knew I was gonna pick Pete. We're not a mysterious lot, are we?
from about 1 month ago
Yeah, Rob - I think our selection and our treatment of those subjects does tend to give us away...so less than a month ago I wrote a tribute to Mats...and, we all know your affection for the Sampras game...I figured Roger would get enough from our group and he did, deservedly so...but it is great to see others included and Mats was a favorite of mine! jaa
from about 1 month ago
NO - I DID not know you wud pick Pete ...
but i knew mats i knew already
from about 1 month ago
jaa - did you guess mine and everyone's else ? too
from about 1 month ago
Yes - Long - I did guess yours! Maggie's was a surprise - but a good one and Bobbie's too--did not guess Henin for anyone but excellent choice...I sort of knew that Rohini and Vinny would go Federer's way...does no one love Rafa [as Rohini suggested] or your Nole guy!!!
I still contend that those of us who bend Federer's way have to be counter-balanced by you and Rob who seem to be able - as we all should-to shoulder objectivity. I try - I really try to branch out...i think you all have to admit that i am doing better in that regard...but currently working on two articles, both about Federer--sigh...
jaa
from about 1 month ago
Hey Rob - I forgot to give you my congratulations on the new baby--how your life will change! All for the better, I might add! You are a lucky man...my best to your wife...jaa
from about 1 month ago
Thank you very much. I'm going to have something other than tennis to follow from now on!
from about 1 month ago
but if you do that - you are gonna create a niche ... in the sense, when i read bodo, or steve or jon or all of fav. NYT writers
one of the things that gets me back to them again and again every week - is the fact that I dont know whats it about this week ?
if its always about one player - trust me, it will wear thin over time
diversity -
from about 1 month ago
mine was Nole - after lleyton
as you said jaa - i do adore nole and have a very outlandish persona too
about 1 month ago
Hey - I am busy taking belly-dancing lessons! JA - I know you love Roger but you have to admit that Marat is one sexy guy and if I ever pull through my goat-aversion therapy I am off to the Russian Steppe! Seriously though, are you sure you should be admitting to being a "good girl" this year? What does that do for illusion-sake!
maggie may
from about 1 month ago
Hi Maggie - unfortunately for me, i had no choice but to be a good girl! unlike you, my circle is pretty small - but i live vicariously through you anyway! let me know how you find Marat--god, even his name is sexy!! loved your remarks! you should write about Marat - he is begging for it! take care and keep in touch! jaa
from about 1 month ago
ha ha
jaa - good girl and waiting for presents from Santa
thats GONNA be a long wait
loved the marat pick by the way Mag ! cheers
about 1 month ago
you know Jaa i thought a lot about the other players...but i felt that i would be lying because its the first time that i would writing about a tennis star....so it had to be federer from my side....
from about 1 month ago
Hi Rohini - Yes, we all understand how attached you are to Roger! Me, too. But, that would have been too predictable and Long already thinks he can read my mind! So, I have to try to keep him guessing once in a while!
We shall have to band together and form a Federer support group for 2009 because I don't know if I have strength enough to survive another year like 2008 - I keep trying to lower my expectations but i always expect him to win!! Loved your remarks...jaa
from about 1 month ago
finally someone let the (well known) cat out of the bag -
YOU always expect him to win
knock ! knock ! Nole's knockin on that No. 2 door (hes just outside)
about 1 month ago
yeah we should....i just wrote a comment to gil's new article and once again told him how scared i am for roger...i hate 2008, nothing went right this year....even on the personal front......i just hate it...maybe 2009 will be better......
from about 1 month ago
if you think one slam is a bad year - am not sure Rodge is gonna clock 2 next year
may be thats just me
from about 1 month ago
Nothing except that gold medal and US Open, and two slam runner ups. Just awful.
from about 1 month ago
YEAHHH- really really bad year
arghhhhh ! am crying, are you rob ?
about 1 month ago
know what? your saying this has given me an idea....i will think about it and let you know........
about 1 month ago
no Long....apart from federer the year in general went bad for me...i mean i lost my grandfather and then we had a bit of family problems....so i want this year to end ASAP....
and Long you are not the only one who says that.....everyone says it again and again....so in a way you being the perfect domain leader and echoing what is on our minds and heart....[:)]
from about 1 month ago
well - then i do really hope the next year goes well for you RI. good luck ....
about 1 month ago
Hey Rob....congrats for new christmas gift in advance.....
from about 1 month ago
Thanks a lot. I hope you have a better 2009.
about 1 month ago
thanks....
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