Sampras beat #12 ranked Marty Fish in Exhibition

... There it is, more PROOF Tennis needs desperately some young guns to enter the stage. If a retired, out of shape, 40 year old Sampras can beat # 12 ranked player in the world, tennis has some issues. There is no way Sampras should beat this guy. I do not care if Sampras is one of the best of all time. He rarely practices anymore, is out of shape, and has zero sharpness mentality compared the young, in shape, sharp Fish... I said it before that tennis is just recycling the players in the top 20. Besides Rafa, Djoker, and Fed, players simply are playing musical chairs - going from number 7 to 17 back to 7 ... Hopefully, Del Porto can make a dent and get back to his pre injury form... If Sampras is beating players, the game is watered down.

Tennis - where are all the young guns??

Tennis needs them, badly... The top has been the same for too long - Fed, Nadal, Andy, Joker, Ferrer, Soderling, etc. Now, OLDER who have been in the game for quite some time are hitting the top ten and cracking the top 15 - Monfils, Meltzer, FIsh, Andy, Youszney, etc... Where are the YOUNG GUNS - 18 - 20 year olds who strom the scene the way Becker, Sampras, Agassi, Chang, Edberg, Lendyl, Mac did... It seems you see all the same names every tournament... I like Raonic alot - big serve and big groundies, and I thought Tsonga had a chance to win a major, but tennis is lacking in young guns wgo can challenge Nadal, Fed and Joker . . . Perhaps the game is not developing players as it used to or the current wave of players is just not that good. Ryan Harrison, a current young US player on the rise as most say, is only 5'8" and in my opinon just does not have the size nor the power to really ever make a dent in the top players. Grigor Dmitrov, the next FED some said, is hovering around the 80 mark and has yet to do ANYTHING in big tourneys... Where are you guys? Are you hiding? Are you scared and waiting for Nadal and Doker to get older? Are you guys not ready for the stage? I mean, lets go youngsters, show some guys, some sweat, some tears, some toughness and show tennis that you young guys have a heartbeat. Tennis needs you!!!

The "Fed Express" is at the end of his tracks

For the past 8 years, we have watched, Roger Federer, arguably the greatest player of all time. He dominated the sport reaching a record number of semi finals in grand slams, something that will never be reached in my opinion. He has won 16 majors, been ranked number 1, won masters events and won with class... BUT, sadly, time and age is catching up to him. He is 30 yrs young very soon and in tennis years, at the twilight of his tennis game. His legs and speed and quickness is just not where it was 5 years ago... He is losing to players he would beat with his hands tied behind his back (all 'cept for the spaniard), and he just does not have the zip he once had on his shots. That BITE on his serve, the pin point piercing forehand are not what they used to be, but whats truly missing is the incredible "concentration" Roger possessed... I think Roger wants to win still as who does not, BUT i think the HUNGER in his stomach is just not what it was in his prime. Fed is still in great shape, works hard off the court and prepares as well as anyone, but whats missing is that "hungry blood tears and sweat filled" matches. He is missing points he never missed. . . The tracks had to run out sometime, but what a train its been.

Tiger's coach has to say, wheww, thanks goodness he hit it well.

Tiger had it. He had the look back, the piercing iron shots, the 300 yard drives, the focus and look he had when he dominated and I am sure, he felt good... BUT there was someone else i bet my bottom dollar felt better - Sean Foley. Foley has been under enormous critiscm since taking over and rehauling Eldricks swing, and though he states he doesn't listen to the criticism, you know darn well, Sean, you were relieved to see Tiger playing well... If not for Tiger's putting (and his feet are closer together on his putting than in his past), he had a heck of a chance to win. . . The swing to me, looked like the old swing - - - longer backswing, weight more loaded on the back foot, power fade compared to what he has been doing under Foley. Maybe Tiger and Sean "tweaked" a little more of the older Tiger swing and incorparated it more, i do not know, but seeing your star pupil struggle so mightily, and FINALLY under the spotlight, able to play well, had to make Foley breath a sigh of relief... Will this launch Tiger now, we will see...

AND down the stretch they come!!!!!!! Masters

Unbelieveable. I have never seen more players having a chance to win the masters on the back nice - especially with only 5 holes to go. I do believe there was close to 8 PLAYERS in the hunt. I felt like this was a horse race with all the horses bunched up as they made the final turn to the homestretch. . . AND the S. African makes a move on the outside, Scott is there, Day, there all vying for the crown at this years MAsters, as its anyone;s tourney, and down the stretch they come . . . and finally its Schwartzel at the wire !!! . . . Unreal. I thought Scott had it when he nearly holed out for a hole in one on that last par 3, but then its was the gritty S. African who refused to quit. . . The interesting thing about THIS YEARS masters was when Tiger tied for the lead, in the past, i and most would've bet it was over. BUT, these young guys, who hit the ball as far as TIger, do not fear Eldrick as much as the former generation of great players - Love, Rocco, Leonard, etc. These kids embrace it. Tiger ties for the lead on the front and makes up 7 SHOTS in 8 holes, thanks to the putter of Rory... But then ,Tiger needed more, and didn';t have it. In the past, it wouldv'e been enough, but not now, not with these guys cracking the ball 300 + and not with kids swagger... Congrats to the champion, as he won with class, grit, toughness, and lastly, a gorgeous compact swing...

Here he comes ...

Something about the MAsters always seems to brinbg out the best in legends... Arnie, Jack's run at 46, and now Tiger, having the WORST run in his career, looking like the old Tiger on the back nice on Friday. He is aiming at pins and knocking down putts as he was doing when he was dominating the game... and though he has been fortunate off the Tee with some crazy drives, it hasn't hurt him... If he gets to - 6 or 7 going into the weekend, Rory, the talented 21 year old who dissed Tiger at last year's Ryder cup, I guarantee you will be thinking "where is the big cat" when he is playing... It should be an interesting weekend...

Differnences in Tiger's Foley Swing v. Haney swing

For those who are curious on what the new Tiger swing is and the all these changes to his swing - new takeaway, hands closer to body, hands lower at address, more shoulder steepness, pivoting on his front side, pushing his hips vs rotating his hips, etc . . . All of this is true, BUT the BIGGEST DIFFERENCE in Tiger's swing now is his SPINE ANGLE at the top of his swing. If you pause his swing at the top, he is very centered over the ball with his head almost in front of the ball. His old swing, he had a nice tilt with his head BEHIND the ball. The differnce or what will this cause in striking the ball? - it causes a much more severe steep swing into the ball ALSO making it much more difficult to get the club back on the correct path to hit the ball square. . . The results when you swing with your head IN FRONT of the ball at the top of your backswing will be MANY more wild pulls / hooks, and chunky or fat divot shots... I heard in one practice round with FOLEY, Tiger hit two balls off the tee into the water on the left, THEN on his 3rd ball, he pushed it right... Without looking at his swing, I'd be willing to bet, Tiger's spine angle, being over the ball caused these mistakes... PLay around with your own swing and at the top PAUSE, and THEN PUSH YOUR HEAD forward so it is in front of the ball, and see how hard it is to swing down on the correct path... You should see a differnce...

Uconn's size too much

Uconn 's size was too much, both in the semi's and in the final... Last year we called the game between Duke and Butler - David v Goliath, but this year, it truly played out to this tune. . . Uconn just was too big and athletic for Butler. Give Butler tons of credit and most notably, Brad Stevens for the incredible job he has done in 4 short years, they LEAD at halftime. . . But, if you watched that first half, you could see, the size of the huskies was taking it s toll on Butler. The butler big men could not get anything inside. Compare this to throughout the tournament, they were bullies inside with Howard... Kemba and this team, played as good a defense as I have ever seen. I witnessed them first hand in DC where they just donimated and continued. I thought Kentucky would beat them and their run would end, but that DEFENSE and size proved otherwise. . . Calhoun has had more talented teams - remember the Rudy Gay team? - but this team was the essence of what a TEAM is and should be. They had a star, a budding star, a young point, and quality bigs that played like a train throughout the tourney... Calhoun has won three titles, pretty incredible, especially with this team.

Phil the thrill delivers on Sat and Sun.

For a guy who said going into the tourney he didnt really care about his score and just wanted to work on his game in prep for the Masters, it sure worked out for Phil. -20 !!!!! Are you serious Phil? This is just what he need sgoing into the Masters He stated many times this year how he is hitting the ball well, but just not scoring. Well, that all changed this weekend as he torched a course that he admittedly said is not the best course for him. Due to the narrowing of the fairways at about the 285 mark, it forces players to hit 3 wood off of the tee more. Phil said he was going to still hit driver all week and prepare for the master.s If only I could practice or prepare for an event and make a nice million in doing so, it would make preparing for things much easier. lol... But the fact is, he has his swing right now and you never know what will happen in a major, but with his length and if he can control and keep his drives in the fairway, he should be in contention.

Novak is the man right now...

Djoker, Djoker Djoker!! Novak is the guy right now. He is the number one player in the world. I know Rafa is ahead of him in points, but Novak is UNDEFEATED in 2011 winning 24 in a row. This is Roger like... Its nice to see him finally using his head out there and not fall into so many mental "Novak" monents as in the past. He is keeping his composure better and not losing his focus as he has done in the past. He has beaten Rafa TWICE now in back to back finals and is closing in fast on him. I am sure, Rafa and the clay could not come at a better time. Reasons he is playing so well - the SERVE. His 1st serve is a major weapon. It has improved so much since last year. Watching him play in the Australian this year vs last was night and day... Also, his conditioning is better as his temperment. he used to unravel so fast, you just waited for it to happen... and he is playing like he has nothing to lose. Rafa and Novak are the best right now, hands down. Roger (who is my personal favorite) is trailing them. Not by a ton, but he is still tailing them... Can Novak unseat Rafa at The French, if he plays like he is, keeps his temper under control, and if Rafa has one of those "mysterious" Rafa injuries, then yes...

Nadal kills Fed

Rafa again takes it to Federer, this time on hard courts. The conditions, obviously being on hardcourt you would assume, favored Roger, but not in this match. The classic Rafa forhand to Fed backhand did it again to the dancing express... And the Roger "outwide serve to Rafa backhand" was not there this time... What I am surprised about is how easilt Roger goes away when he id down vs. Rafa. If he gets broken early, his whole body language changes as if a horse goves another horse a lead... I ve said once, and I ;ll say it again, Roger plays Rafa so wrong. He cannot play behind the baseline and cannot try and "hit through the court" by Rafa, espcially on clay or a slower hard court. Rafa is a human backboard as he will get almost EVERYTHING back. Instead, Roger should slice him to death, keep the ball low, angle him off the court and drop shot him. By bringing Rafa in, you are negating Rafa's speed and making him a normal player instead of speedy gonzales out there... I watched how Roger made so many mistakes, especially on the forehand side, trying to hit the ball by Rafa. it is not going to happen on slower courts. Instead, when Roger gets shorter balls, he should drop shot him, or take some off and angle Rafa into the double alleys or off the court and come in... Is this the end of Roger? No, not yet, but for Roger fans, I think ONE more slam will only happen at this year or next years Wimby... But, what a career its been.

Masters Prediction

Who wins the Master's? I have three players I am predicting are in contention - obviously Phil due to his winning it 3 times, his length and how he knows the course so well. The other is Dustin Johnson and the other is another lefty - Bubba W. All three crush the ball off the tee. . . Dustin is primed to finally win a major. He has been so close and should've won the PGA if not for the "bunker" issue. He hits the ball a mile, is young, and ready... Bubba is the same, I just wonder if the putter is going to be an issue for Bubba at the Georgia park... If Phil keeps it in the fairway and he said he is using possibly to drivers this week, he is always dangerous. SHORT PUTTS usually define Phil in tourneys. If he makes them, watch out. Dark horse - well, not really, but look for Mahan to make a move as well. . . As far as Tiger, you can never discount him at Augusta, even with the new stack / tilt / vertical / pull-hook swing...

ATP - Biscayne

HOPING like hell Federer beats Simon to set up a SEMI-final showdown with Nadal. When was the last time these two met in a semi?? I think it was the French Open - Rafa's first title there. Do not think, though, for a second, that Simon will not give Roger all he can handle. He's beaten him before and I am sure Roger is anxious to get at Nadal, not in a final... I see Roger winning in 3 vs Simon and against Rafa - - - Rafa in 3. Roger still has not figured out the "Nadal forehand to Roger backhand". THe ball kicks up so high, if you watch their matches, Roger is on the defensive 70% of the time and WHEN he does get a good look at a forehand, his eyes and mind have to tell him he won't get too many of these so make sure its perfect which i think makes him press... How can Roger beat Rafa?? BRING HIM TO THE net. Rafa is a good volley'r on the FIRST ball, but make him volley a second ball, and he tightens up. In other words, its just not natural. THEN you pass him. I have said over the years, Roger;s best chance to beat Nadal is to stay inside the baseline, drop shot him to death, and attack him at the net. He cannot beat him behind the baseline, as noone can, not even the hotter than mercury Djoker right now... Regarding Djoker, he plays Fish, a surprising semi-finalist. Fish will give him a run in the first set, but I see it 7-5 6-3 Djoker. Djoker is playing so darn well as i have never seen him play better and I predict wins 3 majors this year. I see him winning the US OPen, and possibly Wimby. Nadal wins the French...

Golf / masters prep / tiger

Masters is approaching and I am sure the golfing community and peers are anxious to see how the new Sean "loudmouth" Foley's Tiger swing is coming along... From what I ve seen since he went to Foley, and from learning about Foley's philosphy, I have no idea why Foley would change Tiger and why Tiger would agree, to go to this more "stack nd tilt" swing. In case you re not sure what stack and tilt is, its simply starting your weight on your front foot, turning or pivoting while keeping most the weight on your front foot, and then "pushing" your hip forward when swinging down on the ball... Foley has basically overhauled arguably the greatest golfer of all time's swing, a swing that has won 14 majors, and treated him like a 25 handicapper who reverse pivots. why why why why would Tiger listen to this guy? Perhaps, O'hair, Mahan and Rose got into Tiger's ear and told them these great things about Foley, but if you go on results alone, Tiger's new swing is awful... In case you have not heard about the TWO 70 yard drives, and yes, i said 70 YARD drives, Tiger had using this new swing, you heard it now. Pivoting over your front foot as Tiger does now vs when he would "load up" on that back foot with a huge take back and wide arc when he was dominating, causes such a steep angle its like a plane trying to land going vertical vs coming in lower and lower horizonatally. This "steepness" causes HUGE HUGE divots, fat shots, and the worst of all, the extreme hook. At the Palmer tourney last week, Tiger hit a classic pull hook over and over. Again, this swing is just not Tiger. He is Tiger because he is so fluid, and flexible, and relaxed. NOW, he looks like a guy with 87 thoughts in his head before he swings. I have never seen Tiger take so many practice swings before shots... Will Tiger win again and win a another major? absolutely... he could show up left handed and win a tourney... BUT, will he break Jack's record with this new "stack and tilt" swing, time will tell, but I do not like the PATH he is on with this swing.