Welcome! This is an unapologetic, agenda-free zone. Just commentaries on current events that’ll move you to think, laugh, rage, and even cry.
Elina Svitolina’s refusal to shake Aryna Sabalenka’s hand at the Australian Open was widely praised as a righteous protest. But iPINIONS argues it crossed a line, undermining the spirit of sport and weakening, rather than strengthening, the moral case for Ukraine. In tennis, as in diplomacy, grace can sometimes do more than gestures of defiance.… Read more.
I “crucified” Novak Djokovic – not just for attempting to flout Australia’s Covid protocols to play in its grand slam last month, but because I thought he was reveling in his celebrity as an anti-vaxxer (like RFK Jr). The facts are still murky; but it’s clear he knew he was gaming the system when he… Read more.
Here is how the BBC updated this unfolding international farce today: __________ The Serb star remains in immigration detention [at a hotel] in Melbourne after being denied entry on Wednesday. A court challenge is due on Monday, a week before the Australian Open begins. … Djokovic, who has said he is opposed to vaccination, had… Read more.
No doubt you’re aware of the cast of players professional sports analysts have heralded as the heir apparent to Serena Williams. One-slam wonders like Sloane Stephens, Ana Ivanovic, and Ashley Barty feature most prominently among them. But here is how I heralded Naomi Osaka over two years ago in “US Open: Serena’s Upset with Umpire… Read more.
The match announcer hailed 35-year-old Roger Federer as the “ageless wonder” after he won his 19th grand slam at Wimbledon last summer. Well, the wonder that is Federer continues. Federer won the Australian Open championship with a five-set win over Marin Cilic, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. In the past 12 months, Federer has… Read more.
Serena Williams had Tennis fans in suspended animation until Saturday Down Under. That’s when we could finally hail her as the winner of the most Grand Slam singles titles in the Open era and, arguably, as the “greatest athlete ever” – as Nike proclaims. That she blew so many opportunities to reach this milestone over… Read more.
