–(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, 18, made history by winning Indian Wells in California. The Romanian-Canadiana from the Toronto suburb of Mississauga is the first Canadian women to win a WTA event at this second-highest… Continue reading
——- Novak Djokovic’s two-hour trouncing of Rafael Nadal at the 2019 Australian Open final, even if it was only a third as long as his 2012 triumph, was one of the greatest performances… Continue reading
Winning the Australian Open, Naomi Francois Osaka, ranked 72 a year ago, has become number one on tour and in the hearts of fans worldwide who love her for sweetness off court… Continue reading
— After winning Wimbledon in 2017, a hungover Roger Federer told us how to beat him: rush the net. Enter Stefanos Tsitsipas winning 48 of 68 at the net to beat Federer in… Continue reading
Fearless predictions for 2019 –Serena Williams, unable to tie Margaret Court and win her 24th slam, quits women’s tennis. She joins the men’s tour, and amid great fanfare and expectation, loses every… Continue reading
A few hours before his loss to Fabio Fognini in Rome in 2017, I saw Andy Murray in the tunnel amid photographers scurrying to get to court-side positions. Tied to some type… Continue reading
A CODE VIOLATION FOR DISCRIMINATION Few are noticing that young Chinese, inspired by tour events across Asia, are taking over the tennis world. by Christopher Johnson —— Many tennis fans and media… Continue reading
— First, they said Novak Djokovic, who held all four majors, was going to surpass Roger Federer as the greatest of all-time. Then, they said he was finished. Djokovic, more than anything… Continue reading
—- by Chris Beck, special to GrandSlam Magazine —— The debate over the women’s final at Arthur Ashe stadium, where Serena Williams clashed with umpire Carlos Ramos, has spilled from the sports pages… Continue reading
— At age 37, Roger Federer looked tired, lacking spring in his legs. He was missing his spots on serve, shanking returns into the net, and even flubbing easy volleys. When this… 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 →