What is on the cards for the upcoming season? Here are some PROBING QUESTIONS and bold predictions to sort out the champions from the contenders and pretenders.
The famous Hollywood line — “Nobody knows what’s going on. Nobody knows what’s coming” — applied in spades to tennis in its own Brexit-like, Trumpian 2016. Surprise: Angelique Kerber won two majors and dethroned Queen Serena. Surprise: Maria Sharapova, previously a consummate professional, got suspended for a drug violation. Surprise: Monica Puig, a super longshot, captured the Olympics. Surprise: Novak Djokovic dominated for five months and then faltered at the big events. Surprise: Andy Murray became No. 1 by winning the season’s last match. To epitomise the topsy sturvy year, all eight women’s seeds lost in the first round in Dubai.
Expect more shockers in 2017. Get used to it. Fed, Rafa and Serena, the giants, not just of this century but tennis history, will fade away, sometimes gracefully, sometimes controversially.
We are entering a period of major transition, particularly in the women’s game. “I think the beginning of the year, especially the Australian summer, is going to be epic,” Roger Federer predicted.
Here are some probing questions and bold predictions to sort out the 2017 champions from the contenders and pretenders.
Will Maria Sharapova come back strongly after her 15 month drug suspension?
Denne historien er fra January 21, 2017-utgaven av Sportstar.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 21, 2017-utgaven av Sportstar.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
