–(Note: This was originally posted in August 2018. Australian wildfires in January 2020 are showing urgent need for schedule change to suit climate change.) Imagine playing Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros in the… Continue reading
Bianca Andreescu’s victory at the US Open is also a triumph of her hard work and patience to recover from a shoulder injury when she won Indian Wells. But tennis fans and… Continue reading
—- Roger Federer has now won Halle ten times. It has become his private practice event leading up to Wimbledon, where he was on 8 times. Roger has also won Dubai 8 times,… Continue reading
The Laver Cup feels like a wedding, bringing together extended families for the first time around the ceremonial union of a happy couple. There are… Continue reading
Fans have many reasons to love Roger Federer. Here are some of the more under-rated aspects of his game. 1–Feel. Hands. Federer’s rare ability to flick back balls deep allows him to hug… Continue reading
Here’s how Rafa Nadal trounced Stan Wawrinka to win “La Decima” — his record 10th French Open. –From start to finish, Rafa Nadal forced Wawrinka to defend on wings, giving him few chances… Continue reading
The King of clay has his mojo back. Rafa Nadal’s playing again with confidence and passion. While Roger Federer skips the clay season, and Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray remain in various phases… Continue reading
The Caja Magica in Madrid is renowned for its magic light on sunny days, especially on courts 2 and 3. The players also create a magic of their own. (images copyright Christopher Johnson)
Roger Federer is often compared with a ballerina. He’s graceful. He floats. His matches are a Master Class. Imagine playing him. You’d call him the Swiss Assassin, not the Swiss Maestro. … Continue reading
With Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer out with injuries, and Novak Djokovic slumping, Andy Murray owns the world right now, not only Milos Raonic. But he definitely has owned Raonic this year,… Continue reading
Before turning 21, Juan Martin del Potro beat Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer to win the 2009 US Open. If healthy, he might have expanded the Big Four into the Big Five,… Continue reading
by Christopher Johnson — After his epic win over Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semi-finals, many are asking the question which I asked earlier this year: is Milos Raonic the second coming of… Continue reading
(images copyright Christopher Johnson all rights reserved)
(all images copyright Christopher Johnson, all rights reserved)
Milos Raonic’s serves put Alex Dolgopolov and Jo Tsonga on their heels swatting at the ball in Madrid. But Novak Djokovic somehow managed to step in… Continue reading
Novak Djokovic won clay courts events in Monte Carlo and Rome last year, but has never won the French Open where Rafa Nadal — and Stan Wawrinka last year — have stood… Continue reading
By Christopher Johnson — Novak Djokovic seemingly has all the tools for a future career in entertainment. He’s funny, witty, animated, flexible and malleable. He has the balance and body control of a… Continue reading
— by Christopher Johnson — I can’t understand why some folks don’t love or cherish Serena Williams. She’s truly inspiring. She transcends age, gender and race. She’s the greatest tennis player of all… Continue reading
(images copyright Christopher Johnson Globalite Media all rights reserved)
(images copyright Christopher Johnson Globalite Media all rights reserved)
(images copyright Christopher Johnson Globalite Media all rights reserved)
In the Persian Gulf area to photograph the Dubai Duty Free tennis tournament, I somehow got invited to the players party outside the hotel adjacent to the stadium. Guests and organizers were flocking… Continue reading
Milos Raonic has become cool to photograph. He looks fantastic in the golden sun and powdery red clay of the Mutua Madrid Open. His serve is powerful but also sublime. His technique seems… Continue reading
all images copyright Christopher Johnson Globalite Media all rights reserved
Bianca Andreescu and Naomi Osaka, both blessed with big baseline power games, played one of the best matches of the year in Beijing. They will look forward to a rematch if they can… Continue reading
Sascha Zverev says Daniil Medvedev is the best player on tour right now. Results confirm that. Medvedev has reached six consecutive finals, including the US Open, and he has won Masters 1000… Continue reading
Andy Murray isn’t playing with the same hip that won Wimbledon and the US Open. But his mind and heart appear to be the same after hip surgery. He was a mad perfectionist… Continue reading
(UPDATE: Rafa Nadal won the US Open for his 19th slam title, only one behind Roger Federer) When Roger Federer won his 20th grand slam in Melbourne in early 2018, he seemingly… Continue reading
== Players of Russian ancestry are taking over tennis. The WTA’s top 100 rankings have recently included more than a dozen women with Russian heritage. Inspired by Maria Sharapova, these women include… Continue reading
— Madison Keys had only won a single match in the two months previous to Cincinnati and was number 18 in the world. But she turned things around all week. Falling behind 1-3,… Continue reading
David Goffin is the closest thing currently on tour to Bjorn Borg in terms of size, speed and maximum court coverage. Thanks to a walk-over in the quarters and a semi-final victory over… Continue reading
— Naomi Francois Osaka has a lot at stake this summer. She earned $3.8 million in prize money by winning last year’s US Open. She could earn $58,000 even if she loses in… Continue reading
Why equality is good for all
Tennis has a special place in male-female relations. More than other sports, men and women play side-by-side, inspiring fans and kids across genders. My elementary school buddies and I didn’t only emulate… Continue reading →