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Oh Delpo, Why We Love You So!

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Juan Martin Delpotro started the year ranked in the hundreds, and has finished up 2011 ranked Number 11.

I originally wrote this article during the French Open but have updated it with some more recent pics.

It’s great news that Delpo will be back in Australia in January, starting with the APIA International in Sydney.

Del Potro in Buenos Aires May 11

Photo source Reuters/Marcos Brindicci

Delpo, here are 7 reasons why we love you so

1. He won the US Open in 2009, beating Federer in an epic 5 setter (tough match to win, enough said)

Del Potro wins US Open

Photo source

2. The US Open 2009 final was the first Grand Slam final he played in, and he was only aged 20 at the time

Here is a video flashback

3. After being out injured for 10 months, he made great progress in 2011, winning two tournaments; the Estoril Open on clay and Delray Beach on hardcourt. He also made the final in Vienna, losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Del Potro wins Delray Beach in February 2011

Photo source AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

4. He is a Tennis Player, and a Gentleman, through and through

5. Sometimes words are enough, especially if you have Delpo’s Argentinian softly spoken, sleepy accent

The video confirms it

6. The muscle shirt (which men many before him have tried and failed)

The Muscle Shirt

7. The hard to define greatness that “melts the heart” of his fans

Del Potro in Sydney, January 2011

8. More evidence that he’s just an all around great guy!

Pic from Twitter courtesy of @MardyFish

Two Best Looking Guys on Tour!

9. He showed such heart while playing for Argentina in the Davis Cup against Spain.

Delpo played the fourth round of the Davis Cup final against Rafa. With Spain having a 2-1 lead going into the match, it was a must win for Delpo to keep Argentina in contention.  He eventually lost in 4 sets but showed that he’s definitely back at home on the tennis court!

This pic sums up the emotion of the match

Photo by AP Miguel Angel Morenatti

That’s my view, with a big thank you to the gals from Twitter for all their input 🙂

I’m sure there are other reasons why you love Delpo so. Leave a comment and let me know.

Until next time

Grand Slam Gal

Is this Australian Tennis’ New Clay Court Star?

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Todd Woodbridge with Chase Ferguson

Todd Woodbridge with rising tennis star Chase Ferguson

While Rafa, Roger, Novak, Andy, Robin and the rest of the boys slog it out in Rome this week to get ready for the French Open when it starts on Monday 23 May, this year there will also be a New Aussie Kid in Town at Roland Garros. [Read more…]

Andy Roddick – He’s Still Got It, Hair or Not (or Mohawk!)

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Article updated 10 January 2012

Andy has a new do for the Australian Open 2012. Here’s a pic that I took of him during the AAMI Classic player meet and greet at Federation Square in Melbourne.

Andy's mohawk for the Australian Open 2012

Andy’s thinning hair is oft talked about and when the cap accidentally came off to show the current state of affairs during the final of Memphis 2011, it seems there is a reason why he keeps it on nowadays.

Hat's off to you Andy

Photo sourced from AP via Forty Deuce

Let’s go back to the beginning though as it wasn’t always this way.

Andy Roddick in the 2009 Australian Open Semi Final

I’ve been a fan of Andy Roddick for a long time now. I don’t quite remember the exact year but I first saw Andy with his awesome serve on Margaret Court Arena at the Australian Open in the early 2000s.

And his Quarter Final against Younes El Aynaoui at the 2003 Australian Open is my all time favourite match.

Even though it bothers me that Andy can go way overboard making his point to the chair umpire and lines people if he disagrees with them, (far out, remember the Brissy International 2011, when the rain crept on to the court, the rant went on for far too long), I still have all the time in the world for him; a genuine, good hearted guy who has done the hard yards in the tennis arena.

After winning Memphis 2011 Andy Roddick became the third man on the ATP tour to hold 30 or more championships. Not bad really, but of course there is still the talk and discussion over whether or not he has more Grand Slam titles up his sleeve.  He won the US Open in 2003, when he was 21, and has been runner up in the final a few times since, beaten by Roger.

Here are some flash back pics of Andy through the ages.

The young Andy, with his lush spikey hair

Young Andy

Picture Sourced from Tennis-X

The Andy who went out with Mandy.

Gosh at the time how I loved the rhythm of the rhyme.

Photo sourced from Herald Sun

And now, Andy and Brooklyn.

Andy Roddick Brooklyn Decker

Andy and Brooklyn

Photo source 

As a Linesman at the Rally for Relief in January

This pic still puts a smile on my dial.



Andy as a Linesman 
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images AsiaPac

He’s still got it though, check out this match point from Memphis

Check out the winning match point in this vid, which he called “the  best shot I’ve ever hit in my life”.

You’ve gotta agree that he’s still got it, hair or no!

I’m hoping for big things. Serve it up Andy! What do you think Andy’s chances are of winning another Grand Slam?

Until next time

Grand Slam Gal

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