Who invented Red Clay? Answer;Friedrich Becker

Friedrich Becker Standing in uniform (middle of picture)at Bad Homburg Tennis club.



This is the short version of the story.I know I read about it in one of my tennis books.The problem is I can't find it.I tried.

Grass courts didn't do as well in the German climate as in England so they went for hard courts.
The hard courts used at the Uhlenhorst club don't sound very pleasant.
The courts were described as "..a surface which consisted mainly of the black rub-off of imperial cobblestone roads and a finishing cover of fine gravel."The lines were sheets of iron painted white.
Friedrich Becker (circa 1898) was the Groundsman at the Bad Homburg club.These dark gravel courts had a repution for getting the players clothes dirty.Particularly the long skirts of the ladies.When it rained,no doubt it was worse.
The story is that Becker walked past a place where they made clay flower pots.He had an idea that the red clay would make a good court surface.He gave it a try,and the rest is history.

*See "Tennis.A Cultural History" by Heiner Gillmeister
Page 252,Note 209,Figure 98

Tennis Racket as Guitar 2

I happened upon another strumming tennis player.This is an ad,or postcard from the Estby Organ Company.

Lawn Tennis Print

The only words on this print is Lawn Tennis.
I mail ordered it from England a few years ago.Not worth anything,really.But I like the picture.

Nick Charles of CNN Sports Tonight faces his death from cancer

Before the Internet,you had two ways to get your sports news;The sportspage,or television.Ted Turner had launched a great channel called WTBS/TBS Superstation in the late seventies-early eighties.I stayed up late many nights watching old movies,and Braves baseball games.I was an insomniac as a a kid.
CNN was started in 1980.Another project from Turner.
CNN Sports Tonight ran from 1980-2001.It was a great way to get the tennis results.The usual hosts were Nick Charles,and Fred Hickman.The show had a great team of sportscasters,but the Charles/Hickman pairing was classic.
The show aired several times during the night.The first at 11:00pm eastern,then two repeats later that night.During Major events,or in the event of an upset tennis may have been a big story that night.But most of the time it would be in the last five minutes of the broadcast.I knew I could count on it.Most nights for about twenty years,I would make the effort to see the tennis news.I also watched ESPN Sportscenter,but the show was longer and it was hard to catch the tennis.Then there was a channel that ran from 1996-2002 called CNNSI that was all sports news all the time.It was great.CNNSI had an international sports news show that would reliably give me the tennis news several times a day.CNNSI was just not able to compete with the ESPN networks,and the repercussions of September 11th.
Then I got on the Internet and that's another matter.

Yesterday I'm drinking coffee and reading the news on CNN.There's a picture of a haggard old man in a ball cap.Something to do with sports,and he's dying of cancer.I think he's probably an old baseball player.I didn't recognize him.I click the story.It's Nick Charles.
How many nights for almost twenty years did I see this man? Nick Charles was not a tennis guy.But he was a very fine sportscaster.Professional,smooth,easy to listen to,well presented,attractive.He had all the qualities they are looking for when they hire a person to give you the news.
I read the story.Terminal bladder cancer.
It seems like he's facing it with considerable grace.As best as he can.
Nothing to say but it's sad.Nobody deserves this agony.
Sad to see him going through this.

All I can say is;Thanks Nick.
Thanks for doing a great job.Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm for sports.It was appreciated.
Have as many good days with the people you love as you can now.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Charles


http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/06/nick.charles.facing.death/index.html?eref=sihp

The link to the CNN story will probably not last long,but there it is for now.

Djokovic Wins Miami

Future!? The future may be now.The computer rankings don't reflect the recent dominance of Novak Djokovic,But he's been besting everybody.
Djokovic is having a scorching start to the year.It's amazing to think that last year Nadal had one of the great years in tennis,and now Djokovic is doing this.The plot changes fast sometimes.
Of course the year is young.Clay could change the balance.We'll see how it goes.When Djokovic has his current streak snapped will it ding his confidence?

On the women's side, Victoria Azarenka defeated Maria Sharapova in the final of the Earplug Open.

Novak Djokovic - Future Number 1?

Novak Djokovic comprehensively whipped the field at the recent Indian Wells tournament.He was the man to beat going in,and nobody could. I wasn't surprised he defeated Roger Federer.This makes it three in row now.Federer had a shot at it.winning the second set,but he fell short in the third. I was more impressed by his out battling Rafa Nadal in the final.Rafa is a hard beat down.

Djokovic won the 2008 Australian Open,and the Masters late in the year.No major victories in 09-10.I was starting to see him as a version of the Hana Mandlikova story.Martina Navratilova,and Chris Evert were dominating women's tennis in the eighties.Hana chased them,and managed to win four majors.She was a brilliant player,but rather flaky.Trying to get past Navratilova,and Evert was like getting caught between Scylla and Charybdis.She would often have to beat both to win a tournament .She couldn't accomplish that daunting feat often.

It looked like Novak was falling back.It seemed like Murray would emerge as the solid number three.King in waiting,just a matter of time.But it's Novak who has overcome his weaknesses,and breathing problems,and shown the courage to provide the real threat to the two man show.
Clay court season?That's another matter. Rafa will do his best to grind him into the dirt.

Postcard - Great Hill Observatory 1905

This is a postcard of the Great Hill Observatory, Hough's Neck, Quincy, Mass.
It's from the Rotograph Company.Copyright 1905.

Tennis on a slope.Good drainage at least.
A charming picture of a time when people would just string up a net and play.

Australian Open 2011

I did watch it.As much as I could anyway considering the crazy hours for a US resident.
I'm very happy Kim Clijsters won.It just seems right.
I thought a few days before the Men's semis that Novak Djokovic could win this whole thing.
Should have written that down BEFORE it happened huh?
Anyway,good for him and all that.He played with very fine form.

I was hoping Federer could find the magic and win,but his wand is getting rusty.

Nadal? what rotten luck to have an injury when he could have held all the majors at once.Doesn't diminish him,but merely unfortunate circumstances.

The most remarkable string of matches would have to be on the women's side.Kuznetsova defeating Henin in what would be Henin's last match.Schiavone over Kuznetsova in a titanic struggle.
The women provided some first class drama.


Venus Williams dress;Good grief can't we have an intervention with her?Pie crust lattice.I used to like pie.

Celebrities Serve - Book

Well here goes my first book review.It feels a little funny to call it a review because I'm writing about a book that came out a long time ago.I've bought quite a few books about tennis over the years.I'm sure my collection is pitiful compared to some.But what I'm interested in is the actual experience of reading it.I don't buy books just to have them.


I read a story about a book collector once.It said he had the books stacked all over his house.Someone would come in and ask,"Have you read them all?".He would answer,"Every last page".Because when he got a book he would glance at/read the last page of the book.
Ha ha.Jackass.

I read them.Old,musty,brown pages,or worse,boring.I read them.
Whoever stuffs their head with the most useless information before they die wins.Wins what?I don't know.But let me tell you,I'm ahead of most people.

This book is subtitled "A Celebrity Tennis Cookbook".It was written(or compiled) by Dee Gordon,De Lora Maurus, and Shirley Gorospe.It was published in 1991 to benefit The International Tennis Hall of Fame.It's a hardback with ring binding on the inside.


It's nicely made with a good number of color pictures.Many pictures taken at the beautiful Hall of Fame in Newport RI.
It seems like the sort of thing people would do for a benefit project.Very Junior League.



There are recipes from current (at the time) players,former players,executives,and famous fans.

Many of the recipe's come from a particular genre of American cooking I like to call the Campbell's soup casserole.Noodles,meat(probably chicken) some vegetables to keep it respectable,and a can of Campbell's cream of chicken,celery,or mushroom soup.
If that doesn't bring back memories of childhood dinners.

I do have a feeling most of the young players just asked their moms for a recipe."Hey mom what's that thing you make,you know,the thing with the noodles"?
My mother had one of these dishes,she called it glop.
The older players may have gotten recipes from themselves, wives,or maybe the chef from the club.Some casseroles,and a lot more seafood.A match at the club,a shower,and then a lovely lobster salad.
Almost every recipe from a Czech is for Dumplings.

The recipes start out with Hall of Famers.These are from people already in the hall.
Saint Germain Soup from Arthur Ashe.
Tennis Club Special from Margaret Osborne duPont.(It's taco salad,and I can make a far better version of it.)
Cheesy Potatoes from Billie Jean King (Hash browns,cheese,and cream of chicken soup.Right off the package I bet.)
Then Professional Tennis Players.
V.J. Armitrage with two chutney recipes.
Gourmet Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich from Jennifer Capriati (sigh)
Swedish Meatballs from Stefan Edberg
Puerto Rican Chicken Fricassee from Gigi Fernandez
Weiner Schnitzel from Steffi Graf
Black Forest Cake from Tim Mayotte
Paella from Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
The next section is Celebrity Chefs.Former players,coaches,sportscasters,and fans.
California Lemon Bread from Dick Enberg
Cape Cod Fish Chowder from Edward M Kennedy
Roast Squirrels from Larry,Darryl,and Darryl (These guys were characters on a sitcom called Newhart.Which doesn't really even begin to explain it.Uhh..they was hicks.)
Irish Colcannon from Bob Newhart (Yes! that Newhart.)
Kennebunk Pickle from Tom Poston(Newhart cast)
Sorrel Vegetable Soup from Julia Duffy (Newhart cast)
What I want to know is,where the hell was Peter Scolari the day they turned in their recipes!
The last section is Tennis Parties.
This is by Martha Stewart.

I ordered this book directly from the Hall,and it had a brochure to join as a contributor.
I wonder how much they raised with this effort? Maybe time to do another one.

As a recipe book,I would have to call it a little uneven.
As a tennis book,it's an interesting item.A bit of fun in seeing what the players contributed.
There are plenty of copies available from sellers on Amazon for about $5.00 to $10.00.

Larry Scott's Corn Bake recipe

I have been meaning to start writing about my tennis book collection.To write some reviews etc..
But since it's Thanksgiving time,I thought I would start with this.
In 1991 the International Tennis Hall of Fame put out a cookbook called "Celebrities Serve".
It contains recipes from Tennis Players,and fans.
Here is a very easy,and very good one from Larry Scott.

Corn Bake

1 17- ounce can whole corn(I would suggest using a bag of frozen corn instead,tastes better)
1 17-ounce can cream style corn
1 box corn bread mix(Jiffy is perfect for this)
1 stick butter,softened
1 8-ounce container sour cream
1 egg

Preheat oven to 375 F.Grease a 9" x 9" baking dish.

Mix all ingredients together and put in baking dish.
Bake for 40 minutes.


My family has made this often.

If you're wondering who Larry Scott is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Scott_(sports_administrator)

Elena Dementieva Retires.

There aren't many times that tennis happenings make me genuinely sad.I called myself the melancholy tennis fan for the sake of whimsy.I'm a bit of an Eeyore,that's all.

Elena quitting does make me sad.What can you say,it's a bummer.

I'm sure the timing makes sense.Though really I thought she could play maybe two more years.But it just came out of the blue.No hints,no whispers.No farewell tour.Just that's it ,I did what I could.Bye.

She could do a lot.Fight like hell.And unfortunately yes sometimes come up short.She won the o8 Gold medal.I know she's very proud of that.If I could play tennis god;I wish I could give her that French Open over Myshkina(no offence to Myshkina)And I very much wish to give the 09 Wimbledon title.Held match point against Serena,and lost in the semi.Of course she would almost certainly have lost to Venus in the final.But it's my dream,so she gets it.



I can't say enough for a female player who never gave a whiff of the Diva bitch act.I have no use for that kind of person.She was a class act.Not shallow and self focused.Not a brat.Not an,"It's all about me"type.Gad what a breath of fresh air that is.



Ok,she didn't win any majors.But how can you not love a pro player who could make you feel so good about your own serve.Bless her.



So I guess now she marries her Hockey player and has kids.Happily ever after is warmly wished,and deserved.



Here are a few things said.



from Elena;

"It's so emotional. It's hard to say goodbye. I'm going to miss you so much".



"You don't have to be perfect, but you have to try very hard, and I did all the time".



Kim Clijsters;



"She brought elegance,kindness, discipline and beautiful tennis to the tour!I will miss having her around because there are not many like her ".



Vera Zvonareva;



"She was a role model. I looked up to her. She had such a great career. Right now, the whole country will be sad and everyone will support her,''





And here's why Jon Wertheim is one of the best;



http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jon_wertheim/10/29/dementieva.retires/index.html



That last paragraph is beautiful.

The Champs Nadal and Clijsters

div style="text-align:center;">


Clijsters,and daughter;Jada

Nadal;Champion 2010



Clijsters fought for for it and earned it.Gutty,and well deserved.That woman could almost outrun her own shadow.What chance did Stosur,or Venus have against that.Not enough.

Venus lost the US Open trophy in the Second set tiebreak vs Kim in the Semis.Two double faults.She blinked.She lost.Kim closed it out.Venus would have beaten Zvonoreva.I could be wrong about that.But I'm not.

Poor Vera popping strings,fraying nerves.But what a great year for her.solid victory over Wozniacki.



Kim Clijsters is going into the Hall of Fame.This just cements it.I do hope she can add a few wins at the other majors.She can.



Nadal.

People who think he is a greater player than Federer are bad at math.

But he doesn't deserve to be graded on a curve.He is a great.

I have a rare feeling of surety watching him when he's playing at his best.That no one can out muscle him,and wrest the match out of his hands.

Death to the Crawl line!

Or the ticker,or the info centipede,or whatever you want to call it.It's a bad idea.
I don't have any illusions that anybody actually reads my blog (heck,I don't even have any spam in my comments) but I'll have my little say.
I hate crawl lines.They are in fact a useless distraction.In the age of the Internet,and super phones,and ipads, there are other,better ways to give people information than to ugly up a TV screen.
When you try to watch a tennis match, it's like having a strand of string raked across your eyeball.There it goes constantly racing across the bottom,or middle,of the screen insisting on it's own importance."Look at me!!" "I'm value added!" "Wouldn't you rather read trivial information than watch a sporting event?"
No. No I would not.

Maybe dull witted people don't mind it.Goody for them.
It bothers me.It bothers plenty of people.But how loud would you have to complain to get it stopped? Probably hopeless.
I'm afraid the button pushing monkeys in the control rooms enjoy it to much."Ooh,ooh dump some more eye stabbing crap on the screen." "Because we can!"
Just because you can,doesn't mean you should.

ESPN has always done this.They should have classed up and dropped it some time ago.But now for some inexplicable reason,Tennis Channel has added a constant crawl line.Which is usually in the middle of the screen.To small to read,but enough to annoy.
What are you thinking?

If it does irritate you;there is a way to rid yourself of the pestering visual trash.Cover it up with duct tape.
No I don't mean to stick it to the screen,and damage the TV.

Get two long strips of duct tape,and stick them to each other.Sticky side to sticky side.
Wrap the strip around the bottom of the screen.Put a little tape on the ends to hold.
Visually neutral,and much better than a crawl line.

Tennis Racket as Guitar

I did find a few pictures of people,all young men unsurprisingly,strumming on rackets.The shape of the racket does lend itself to the pose.
A old joke from even the earliest days of lawn tennis.

This fellow on the lower left is playing a Badminton racket.

1890's South Africa

Tom (and his bro Harry) Foolery on tennis rackets,under the tree.
1885 Pennsylvania.

Dueling Banjoes on small lopsided rackets.

What would Earl Scruggs make of this?

1878.

My personal favorite.Marcel Proust writer of the masterpiece

"Remembrance of Things Past", serenading on bended knee.

After a long,and somewhat languid day of tennis in the garden,

tea,and madeleines will be served.

And yes,I've read it.

Postcard - Tennis Player and Old Farmer

Caption; "Guess ye kin hit up a purty lively tune on them things, can't ye?"



One of the tennis things I've taken to collecting is postcards.I don't have that many yet.But I thought I would put some up.It can really be fun to see how the tennis images are portrayed,and mixed with other subjects.

This postcard looks to be from 10's - 20's period.You have a tennis player wearing long flannels,and a tie.Holding a wooden racket with a convex throat.He's listening to an old farmer.You have to wonder where the court is for these two to happen to meet.Out past the cow pasture, I reckon.
I hope the player sets aside the pipe during the match.

Tennis with a little country cornpone humor.

It reminds me how often you see someone pretending to play the racket like a guitar in old group photos of tennis players.There's always a wit in every crowd.
I'm sure I could find a few pictures to put up on that subject.

Bryan Brothers win 62

It seemed pretty clear they were going to get the record,but it's still perfect.These terrific tennis twins deserved it.
They are a real credit to the sport.

Brothers with mother Kathy

Rafa Rolls to a second Wimbledon title.

It must have been nice to win in the daylight.He could see what he was biting this time.
After Federer went out,most were saying his path to the title was expected.John McEnroe predicted he would win it from the start.But he had a few close ones.And there is the old saying;there is many a slip between cup and lip.
He got the job done.Played his brand of muscular tennis,and looked very much like the number one player in the world.
He isn't the artist Federer is.But he is unquestionably one of the best of the open era.He's humble,down to earth and deserves everything he gets.I do respect him deeply.
As a fan of Federer;maybe I have sometimes thought of him as the foil.He's richly more than that.
I've never understood the idiotic tone of the extremist fans of either.Roger,and Rafa respect,and like each other.Some people try to invest to much into differences of taste.Easy enough to do of course.
But everyone interested in tennis should be very glad to have them both.If Roger can't manage to reassert himself;the game will be in fine hands.

It's really remarkable what's happened the last three years.Nadal winning the French,and Wimbledon.Then Federer doing it.Then Nadal doing it again.
That's supposed to be a very rare accomplishment.Right guys?
Great players are born to rewrite the rules,and records.

I really liked the somersault.

The Giant Blancmange from outer space "They mean to win Wimbledon"!

I remembered this crazy episode of Monty Python were Blancmange from outer space come to earth to win Wimbledon.Naturally the first thing they do is to set about turning everyone into Scotsman.Because,at least back in the seventies,Scotland was the worst tennis playing nation in the world.
So here in honor of Andy Murray is the episode.

It entertains.It amuses.It answers the important question; "How do you play doubles with five people"?
Be of strong heart,Angus Podgorny.

Vera Zvonareva, losing finalist

Poor Vera.She had a very bad day at the office.Lost in the singles,and doubles finals.No surprise in the singles.Serena ran over her like a buffalo.Like a buffalo in ugly blaring hot pink panties.
(where is the clothing rule when you need it)

I think Vera, and Elena should have had the doubles.I suspect she was bummed out,and falling into her woe-is-me mentality.It may take a little time for her to get over the disapointment,but she had a great tournament.
I would say she is to emotional.She is.But that's her nature,and I don't think she can purge it.She kept it at bay when it counted.I read she got upset in the doubles final.It wasn't aired where I live,so I didn't see for myself.

Vera - just to cheer you up,here's an adorable puppy!

Tomas Berdych,Ivan Lendl and the Wimbledon Final

Tomas Berdych def Novak Djokovic





Ivan Lendl was already living in the United States by the time he made it to the Wimbledon final.He played the final twice in 86,and 87.Lost both of course.
But it's amazing he made it that far in the first place.He was far better on slower courts,and this was the age of the serve and volley grass court attacker.He worked like hell to give himself a chance at it.You can't fault him for effort.I wish he had defeated Pat Cash,but that was not going to happen.
I wonder if he will watch the final with Tomas Berdych.

Berdych does remind me of him.Tall,with Slavic cheekbones.Strong with big strokes.A high toss on the serve,and a big forehand.And of course the accent.I have an affection for those clunky Czech accents.It sounds like they are trying to give their tongue a good beating.
He doesn't have Lendl's willful personality.But I do think he's turning the corner on his career.He has a chance against Nadal.Not a great one,but a chance.



Ivan Lendl;Back in the day when men were men,and they wore shorts.

Roger Federer - Wimbledon 2010 loss in Quarters

As a Federer fan,that was a shame.He has such a special place in Wimbledon history.Breakfast at Wimbledon without him.That hasn't happened in long time.
He acknowledged he was slightly injured since Halle.I think he was just being honest,Not making excuses.I don't blame players for telling the truth.
There was some talk on the web about him being cranky in the press conference.That wouldn't be hard to understand.He did say some things about the other players at the end of it that were taken to be bad mouthing them.Jon Wertheim of SI stated he was being sarcastic,and those statements should not be held against him.
I read the transcript,and it seemed out of character.You do really have to see video to get tone of voice,facial expessions etc..
I think Roger tends to take things pretty well for a man who can be emotional.

Stat of the match Break points converted:
Federer 1/8
Berdych 4/6

Points were;Berdych 127,Federer 118.
That close.

I'm really still trying to digest this.Federer is clearly passing his best.He said he is going to rest for awhile.Best thing for him.I hope he can gear up for the hard court season,and US Open.

He did lose to a thumping big player.Tomas Berdych has been long predicted to step up and contend for majors.He has disapointed those predictors for years.Semi at the French,and now Wimbldon.Maybe more.He woke up.

Best nickname for him T - Berd,Berdman,Berddog.
I like Berddog.

So who's going to win?
Amazing if Murray.

Isner def Mahut

Great jiggledy-piggledy somebody poured crazy in the Wimbledon water supply.

Surreal.
70-68 is the equivelent of two five set matches.That is only the fifth set.
The loping american giant finally pounded down the fleet french fox.Mahut was the one who flinched first.
They did tennis very proud.

And oh by the way,the queen came to visit.She was introduced to a number of former champions.When meeting Martina Navratilova,she was informed MN had won the title nine times.She asked Martina if she had played the tounament many times.The old dear hasn't kept up,has she?
It was really special to see her at the big W.I'm sorry she hasn't put in a few more appearances over the years.But talk about a busy schedule for a lady her age.
At least someone is keeping the British hat industry in business.

The Royal patron of the club is ,of course,the Duke of Kent.HRH Prince Edward,Duke of Kent.
His father was Prince George,Duke of Kent.He died in a plane crash when Edward was only six.
Prince George's older brother was Prince Albert,later King George VI.The Queen's father.
So Duke,and Queen are first cousins.

Isner vs Mahut - Wimbledon June 23,2010

The match between John Isner,and Nicholas Mahut has been called due to darkness for the second evening in a row.Tied at 59 games in the fifth set.
118 games played in the fifth set blows a tennis match out of its framework.

I don't know how one of ,or both,of the players didn't cramp,or simply collapse.
These two athletes have reserves of endurance,and courage remarkable to behold.
Isner did look wobbly to me.There was one service game among the last few where it seemed he was failing,and I was surprised Mahut didn't step around and attempt to pound the ball for a clean winner.I think he was a step back on those returns.Isner got the game.
They must both be staggering with fatigue.But Mahut looked fresher.
I don't know what will happen tommorow.It may just depend on who feels worse when they crawl out of bed tommorow.Either one could wake up with a horrible stiff back,and be out of luck.Whichever aching carcass can loosen himself up for the resumption of play will probably have it.

It was just madness.So much action,and still locked in place.No resolution.
The fact is that without a break of serve,a tennis match can't end.No break of serve,no two game advantage.No two game advantage,no end to the set.
That's why the tiebreak was invented.And,of course you still need a minibreak.James Van Allen,all credit due.
This made me think that there may be some kind of mathmatical inevitibility about this occurance.Like the idea that whatever is possible must happen sometime.I can't believe that is literally true.But an event,no matter how extraordinary that is possible,has a decent crack at happening sometime.So we have the unbreakable,unending tennis match.
But someone will break.Somethings gotta give!

To put it in perspective.A five set tennis match ending in tiebreaks would be 12 games a set.Plus add a game to represent the tiebreak.That's 65 games.
They are well past that in the last set.

I feel proud of them,and sorry for them at the same time.
Poor guys.

Quotes - Shakespeare "Troilus and Cressida" for Roger Federer

The first time I read this,I was struck by how it made me think of tennis.Of the process of the falling of champions.The passing of years,and glory.A beautiful piece of music,or a great play may be performed again,and again.But an athlete's time is only the time of a human youth.
It made me think of Federer.It certainly makes me think of Navratilova,and Evert in comparison to the current crop.
Watching Roger Federer now,I had to think of this.He's not finished.Years I watched him,and never really worried.But he has started looking more touchable,and less like a work of art in full song.I'm feeling the worry now.
Inevitable.
But I still feel this too;
You cannot tarnish true greatness.It's still there.Always.If you have the memory.
Most people don't seem to have enough.Or perspective.
Whatever shines now,shines brightest.Not always.Not to me.
But I'm an exception.

This is beautiful,sad truth;


William Shakespeare


Troilus and Cressida,Act 3,Scene 3.Ulysses addressing Achilles.


Time hath, my lord, a wallet at his back,
Wherein he puts alms for oblivion,
A great-sized monster of ingratitudes:
Those scraps are good deeds past; which are devour'd
As fast as they are made, forgot as soon
As done: perseverance, dear my lord,
Keeps honour bright: to have done is to hang
Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail
In monumental mockery. Take the instant way;
For honour travels in a strait so narrow,
Where one but goes abreast: keep then the path;
For emulation hath a thousand sons
That one by one pursue: if you give way,
Or hedge aside from the direct forthright,
Like to an enter'd tide, they all rush by
And leave you hindmost;
Or like a gallant horse fall'n in first rank,
Lie there for pavement to the abject rear,
O'er-run and trampled on: then what they do in present,
Though less than yours in past, must o'ertop yours;
For time is like a fashionable host
That slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand,
And with his arms outstretch'd, as he would fly,
Grasps in the comer: welcome ever smiles,
And farewell goes out sighing. O, let not
virtue seek
Remuneration for the thing it was;
For beauty, wit,
High birth, vigour of bone, desert in service,
Love, friendship, charity, are subjects all
To envious and calumniating time.
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin,
That all with one consent praise new-born gawds,
Though they are made and moulded of things past,
And give to dust that is a little gilt
More laud than gilt o'er-dusted.
The present eye praises the present object.

Wimbledon 2010 Close One,Roger

Roger Federer just came within a whisker of a George Bastl job.Ouch,that was close.
I can see the punny headlines;Federer Falla-en,Fed Falla's in the first round.And other strained witticisms.
It was like watching a plumber tearing apart a miss tuned Stadivarius.
He just hasn't been the same this year.At least he still has the pride,if the urgency is failing.
Burned through that last set in a hurry though.
Maybe this will slap him across the face,and wake him up.

Alejandro Falla has to be amazed at the match he played.But when it got tight,he just couldn't close the deal.
How many times have I seen it happen?
Plenty.