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Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Pages: 15 Points to Ponder in this Oz Open
By John Pages
Matchpoint
In tennis, out of the thousands of tournaments around the globe, only a few matter most. The four big ones. The majors. The Grand Slams. The Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the French Open. And there’s the one you can catch over “Star Sports” tonight. The Australian Open. Here are a few pointer:
1. Martina Hingis was history’s youngest-ever world No.1 at the age of 16. For 209 consecutive weeks from 1997-2002, she ruled Tennisdom, snatching five major Singles titles, 40 career tour titles and over $18 million in prize money.
At the Australian Open, she reached the finals six straight times (1997 to 2002), winning from 1997-99. She retired in 2002. Now she’s back! “It feels different, to coming here playing in ’95 when I was 15, fearless,” said Hingis. “Ten years later, you have some butterflies in your stomach. You have to try to throw your nerves behind yourself.”
2. Last year, there were 2,545 rackets strung, using more than 28 kilometers. of string! Spectators ate 159,000 ice cream cones and 18,000 hamburgers!
3. Want to watch the matches live in Melbourne? Ticket prices for the first day (when they’re cheapest) are: Grounds pass ticket costs A$27 (P1,065) while the center court ticket sells for A$40 (P1,578). Want the finals? You’ll have to pay A$159 (P6,274). And that’s for one upper-bleacher plastic chair.
4. To read all the latest—interviews, match summaries, live scores—visit the official website at www.ausopen.org.
5. Ken Rosewall is both the youngest and oldest man to win the Men’s Singles. In 1953 at 18-years-old; and again in 1972 at 37-years-old.
6. Rod Laver Arena, the centre court, and the first show court are unique because of a movable roof which can be shut in case of rain or extreme heat. This is the only major that can feature indoor play.
7. Back in 1991, Boris Becker played the longest ever Singles match when he beat Omar Camporese, 7-6, 7-6, 0-6, 4-6, 23-21. How long? Five hours and 11 minutes!
8. Na Li is one of seven Chinese players to make the final 128 in the Women’s Singles. “Everyone talks about the Russians, and I’ve always thought the Chinese have a great slew of players coming up,” said Serena Williams. “There are so many Chinese players right now. Not only are they in the draw, but they are actually doing well.”
9. Who says you can’t win the Oz Open at the age of 40? Back in 1924, Norman Brookes won the Men’s Doubles title at the age of 46. (Dr. Ronnie Medalle, there’s still time!)
10. Two tournaments were held in 1977; the first in January, the second in December.
11. If Roger Federer wins, he will forge ahead of his boyhood idols Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, who have six slams apiece. “I remember watching them when I was growing up, and how great they were, and I’ve matched their careers,” said Federer. “It’s great to be on the same page as them as they were the ones that I looked up to when I was a kid.”
12. Federer will win again. Why? Compare his record against the No.2 and 3 seeds. Against Andy Roddick, he’s 10-1; against Lleyton Hewitt, he’s won their last nine matches.
13. Total prize money this year? A whopping 19.3 million Australian dollars (that’s P766 million!). If you lose in the first round, not to worry, you’re taking home A$18,000 (P714,000). Best of all, if you win the whole “kaboodle,” you earn A$1.2 million (P47 million).
14. While it’s snowing in Canada, it’s summertime in Australia—the heat often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Why a problem? Apart from players’ dehydration, this causes the tennis balls to shrink and expand.
15. Last year, Australia’s Scott Draper and Samantha Stosur won the Australian Open Mixed Doubles title. Draper, also a pro golfer, had to juggle both sports.
(john@playhouse.edu.ph)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 17, 2006 issue)
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