Vintage Rios Behind Back Service Return

Completely fooled and out of position? 

No problem. Just turn your back on server and hit a blind, backwards return of serve. 

Hit Forehands on Both Sides?

Since tennis columnist Peter Bodo recently asked why no one tries to hit with a forehand on both sides, and I watched Maria Shrapova hit some left-handed forehands on the run in winning the rain-drenched Italian Open in Rome this morning, I thought I'd dredge this one out. 

Rafa and the damn salt. Or What Really Happened with Madrid's Blue Clay

From a machine translation of a Spanish interview with Carlos Moya in el Pais:

Moya and numerous other Spanish players tried the new, blue clay courts before the Madrid Masters touranment and found no problems.

However, shortly before the tournament, the same team that prepares the Roland Garros courts for the French Open applied the same salt treatment it uses there. 

ITF Bans Kutrovsky For Two Years

Belgian tennis player Dimitar Kutrovsky has been banned from the sport for two years for testing positive for methylhexaneamine when he played at the SAP Open, San Jose in February (shown here from that tournament). 

Roger Federer Wins on Madrid's Blue Clay

Returns to number 2 in the world

ATP Challenger Hits 163.4 mph Serve

Although it apparently won't count as an ATP record, Australian Samuel Groth hit an ace measured at 163.4 mph (263 kph) by radar Wednesday during an ATP Challenger event in Busan, South Korea.

Maria Sharapova Steamrolls Azarenka, Kvitova and Stosur for Title

Maria Shapapova capped a great birthday week by winning the Stuttgart title this morning, beating world number one Vika Azarenka, following victories over Petra Kvitova and Sam Stosur. This was high-velocity no-subtlety tennis from two clones -- flat hitters that would rather go for winners from anywhere that suffer a long rally. 

Ken Rosewall vs. Tony Roche in 1970 U.S. Open

YouTube video via Talk Tennis

Tennis Court Dimensions

Since I have to keep looking up the dimensions of tennis courts, I might as well post them. 

Economic Realities of Being an ATP Touring Pro

Outside of the top 4 ranked players, professional tennis is much less financially rewarding than other global sports. That's one reason you see so much turnover below the top 25, it's either up or out.