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THE NUCLEAR BUTTON AND ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM: Everyone knows that the President of the United States is the only one who has his finger on the nuclear button. Not everyone knows that the US Open’s long-respected tournament director, Brian Early, is the only one who can close Arthur Ashe’s new roof. THE NUCLEAR MEATBALL: After one rally in Rio featuring Juan Martin del Potro, Paul Annacone said, “That was just a nuclear forehand.” After one less-than-imposing second serve from Angelique Kerber, Mary Carillo said, “Another meatball.” BIG TENT, BIG ROOF: The Republican party says it’s the political party with the “Big Tent.” The USTA likes to point out that the roof of its Arthur Ashe Stadium is the biggest in tennis and that it covers more space than a football field, plus the cables weigh over 52 million tons. It took a year and a half to make, but takes only seven minutes to close. PHOOEY ON YOU – TENNIS TRIUMPHS IN RIO: Simone Biles and the American gymnasts were a wonder. Swimmer Michael Phelps left others feeling “Phelp-less” and Usain bolted boldly. But for sustained drama, upsets, feel-good tales and wide-ranging story lines, the tennis competition was among the best, even though half of the top ten men and the Bryan brothers weren’t even in Rio. No wonder commentator Rennae Stubbs said, “Phooey on you and all the criers who said tennis shouldn’t be in the Olympics.” LATIN FLAVOR: Three of the Olympics best feel-good stories – Puerto Rican Monica Puig winning gold, Argentine del Potro winning silver, and Brazilian Guga Kuerten carrying the torch into the stadium during the opening ceremony – had a Latin flavor. GO FIGURE: Mixed doubles silver medalist Venus Williams became the first tennis player to win medals in all three Olympic events – singles, doubles, mixed doubles. She also tied Serena‘s record of most Olympic medals won: five. Juan Martin del Potro was only the second player in five years to beat Rafa and Djokovic in the same tournament. Only Federer has beaten Djokovic, Nadal and Murray in the same tournament…Silver medalist Delpo was ranked No. 145…In Rio, Del Potro won tiebreaks over Rafa, Djokovic and Murray…Monica Puig, ranked No. 34, was the lowest-ranked woman to ever win Olympic Gold. THE WOMAN WHO BROUGHT PUERTO RICO TOGETHER: Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig, who became the first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic gold, inspired many on her island. Overwhelmed, she said, “I’m in complete disbelief. I’m in complete shock. I don’t know what to say. This is for them [the people of Puerto Rico]. They are going through some tough times now. They need this and I needed this and I think I united the nation.” HEADLINE OF THE MONTH IN A PUIG OF HER OWN THE LEGEND OF JUAN MARTIN: One patriotic fan tweeted, “JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO! You are an Argentinian God! They will build a statue for you. You will have a National Holiday. LEGEND.” CHANGE TAKES TIME: Tweeter Sofia RF noted, “It took Delpo four years to change the color of his medals: 2012 – bronze, 2016 – silver, 2020 – gold.” COMMERCIAL OF THE YEAR: Jon Wertheim said that the Olympic gold match between Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro was “less a tennis match than a four-hour infomercial for adrenaline.” THE HORSE THAT GOT LOOSE IN RIO: The singular Bruce Jenkins offered an unsparing critique of NBC’s Olympic coverage. He noted that there was too much prime time coverage of swimming and Simone Biles wasn’t put on until 11:45 p.m. There was no background info on the compelling swimmer Simone Manuel, and too many “talk about it” questions. But then he pivoted and wrote, “The biggest talent in the NBC stable, Mary Carillo, has been on the loose in Brazil for several days. Her features should be a highlight of the second-week coverage.” READY, WILLING AND ABLE: Venus Williams, 36, said, “I’m ready to continue writing my name in the history books.” VENUS’ WILD EMOTION: After her implausible run to the Olympic mixed doubles finals with the little-known Rajeev Ram, Venus Williams said their partnership was “so surreal” and continued saying, “I’m used to doing this with Serena, so it’s such a crazy feeling doing it with someone else. It’s like a wild emotion, to feel what I feel with Serena with somebody else. I never thought that would happen.” FASHION COMMENTARY OF THE SEASON: When reflecting on the improving Madison Keys, who nonetheless has yet has to score a huge breakthrough, Jon Wertheim said, “There’s so much that she does well. Now it is only a matter of those little bow ties.” GROWING RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES: Andy Murray‘s former coach Amelie Mauresmo said Andy was a complex guy. You think? Even when he wins, the Scot seems a bit sad or burdened. That certainly was the case when he beat the long-suffering Juan Martin del Potro in Rio. Murray is an interesting man who is growing right before our eyes. Clearly the guy’s deep enough to know that even within every victory there is pathos. MURRAY’S “MO”: In the past nine months, Murray led Britain to the Davis Cup title with a win in Belgium, reached the Aussie and French Open finals, won his second Wimbledon, traipsed to Serbia in an exhausted state to successfully cheer on his Davis Cup mates in a hostile setting, and in Rio became the first tennis player since Kitty Godfree in 1920 and 1924 to win Olympic gold medals back to back. Other than that, not much has happened. THE ANDY MURRAY QUOTEBOOK: “When my daughter is old enough I will try to explain what I did.” – Murray “Come on #muzz #Andy #murray #muzzah #muzzcat did I miss any?” – Heather Watson WHAT DOES MONICA PUIG HAVE IN COMMON WITH DAVENPORT, CAPRIATI AND VENUS? All scored their first big wins at the Olympics. JUST WONDERING: Will there be a major bombshell at the US Open? And will there be another retirement announcement like Flavia Pennetta‘s last year? |
