Mighty Meeka

This week some of the top WTA players are squaring off in Sydney in preparation for next week's Australian Open. Serena Williams faced Avarane Rezai (who?) from France, who is ranked 27 in the world. So, get this: Rezai took the first set 6-3 and was up 5-2 in the second. Things didn't look good for the world #1 and defending Australian Open champion.

But then? Meeka (as Serena's father calls her) dug in as few players can do. She came back and won the second set 7-5 and then won the third 6-4. Talk about mental toughness.

"Was I down that far? I didn't even realize," said Williams, in an on-court interview. "I was thinking, 'What time can I practice tomorrow at Melbourne?'"

Serena will face Elena Dementieva in the Sydney final. Should be a great match.

Viva Espana!

Spain triumphed against the Czech Republic to bring home another Davis Cup. Great camaraderie, magnificent playing.

Rafa looks back at '09

The year started off great and full of promise for Rafael Nadal. He won the Australian Open and dominated in the masters series until Roland Garros. The Nadal camp keeps a tight lid on things, though the Spaniard has made public his parents' separation (and imminent divorce) and his struggle with patella tendinitis and a strained abdominal muscle. Even when not as his peak, Nadal is an amazing competitor.

Here, in an interview with Donald Macrae of the Guardian UK, Nadal talks about the year's challenges.

The ascendant Serb

In the Paris Masters final against Gael Monfils, Novak Djokovic didn't look as indomitable as he did when he rode roughshod over Rafael Nadal in the semis. Give the Serb credit. He hung in, even when his body language telegraphed his fear that the flamboyant Frenchman would pull out a victory in the end. Djokovic won 6-2, 5-7, 6-6 (3). Crazy match. Djokovic was up 3-0 in the second and looked like he had the thing in the bag when his powerful forehand started going South. The win was Novak's first Master's 1000 title, and it puts him in a strong position going into the year-end tournament in London (Nov. 22-29). Especially since he beat Federer in the final in Basel the week before beating Rafa in Paris. He's got to be flying high.

On a less celestial note, I played in a social doubles gathering hosted by my tennis club, the Gay Lesbian Tennis Federation, in Golden Gate Park. There were about 30 of us players of various levels who came to play and eat BBQ. Social doubles is a nice idea in theory, but how can you play and not compete? My erstwhile player traded up to play with more competitive folks. And I ate lots of crow at the racquets of some 4.0 players and higher. Best part of the day was when a truly nice guy, Daniel, gave me some pointers. Not everyone is out for blood.

Serena's triumph, pt. 2

This from Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated:

Though overshadowed by Agassi-gate (is it just reflexive to add "gate" to any scandal?), there was a significant event played last week, the WTA Sony Ericsson Championships. Serena Williams beat Venus Williams in the final and, more important, will finish the year ranked No. 1. Consider this a rare and much-needed dose of sanity.

Nobody does it better

At the year-end Sony Ericsson Championships, Serena was in the zone. The zen zone. In four matches, she only dropped one set. She beat Venus in the finals yesterday 6-4, 7-6(4). After Dinara Safina spent much of 2009 ranked #1 without winning a Slam, Serena's win here should put an end to those tiresome conversations (and blog posts) about who the real best woman player is in the world. Is there really any doubt?

Make her stop!

During the masters championships in Doha, Tracy Austin interviewed the players before they went on court to play their matches. For the players, these interviews are a contractual obligation. For the viewers, they're a waste of time, at best. The players can't be faulted for recycling the same phrases: They're going to play their best, etc. Very dull. Tracy Austin, however, is simpering and ingratiating. Today when she interviewed the Williams sisters before their final, it was especially painful. Both Venus and Serena tried not to seem dismissive of Austin's questions. They weren't altogether successful (nor could I blame them). I love the Tennis Channel (and they're not the only outlet that uses these pre-match interviews) but I, for one, wouldn't think losing these moments with the players would be a bad thing.