Quote For The Day

"We will see on Monday or Tuesday. We will go to Barcelona to see what the problem is. I am not too optimistic. Of course, if there is a possibility for him to take part in one the world's greatest tournaments, he will. He is very affected by this."--Toni Nadal, on the knee issues that threaten his nephew's Wimbledon title defense

Queenmakers

Savannah reviews the coaches behind the women at the top of their games in 2008. Oracene Price and Richard Williams get top billing.

A Wimbledon Champion. A United States Open Champion. Olympic Doubles gold medalists. The winner of the YEC. Two daughters ranked in the top ten and both with the credentials and game to be named WTA Player of the Year. Along the way their daughters played two matches that rank in the top three for the year. Do I have to say anything else? I didn't think so.

You can read her review of the kingmakers here.

The Powers Behind the Thrones

By Savannah

As the 2008 season gets under way it's time to look back at 2007. Every blogger has posted his or her "Best OF" list for the past year in tennis. Players have been ranked and rated and like kids at Christmas judged to be naughty or nice.

But very little attention is given to the men and women who sit on the sidelines, many times in the broiling sun, watching the players they've birthed, either literally or figuratively, soar with the eagles or crash and burn. These men and women do the dirty work of motivation and preparation both physically or mentally, dealing with the fragile egos of those who have the stones to fight their way to the upper echelon of the tennis world.

Powers Behind the Thrones