Missed something? Read it again? Find First Ball Forehand posts below. Enjoy!
-
Zheng Qinwen Reaches Australian Open Final vs. Champion Aryna Sabalenka
Qinwen Zheng of China celebrates match point in their semifinal singles match against Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine during the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Melbourne’s motto is four seasons in a day. Beneath the closed roof of Rod Laver Arena, Zheng Qinwen calmly threw…
-
Top 7 best tennis players from the USA in 2024
This year has been special for American tennis. While there were bright spots and breakthroughs, the year overall was a bit of a drag. Tommy Paul reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, and Christopher Eubanks ended his career with a successful performance at Wimbledon. However, Taylor Fritz was unable to establish himself in the…
-
De Minaur: I’m Absolutely Devastated
“It’s not a match that I thought I lost physically,” Aussie No. 1 said after a four hour, 14-minute AO loss to Andrey Rublev. By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, January 21, 2024 Elated Aussie fans erupted in a wall of sound as home hero Alex de Minaur squared off against Andrey Rublev for a dramatic…
-
Matches Finishing Late: Everyone Agrees Something Needs to Change, But What?
Late finishes down under are part of a larger problem in pro tennis. By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Sunday, January 21, 2024 Elated Aussie fans erupted in a wall of sound as home hero Alex de Minaur squared off against Andrey Rublev for a dramatic fifth set on Rod Laver Arena A ruthless Rublev battered barriers,…
-
Podcast #3 – 2024 Women’s Preview
Ready for 2024? Let’s talk tennis! Here’s my take on everything important in 2024 Women’s tennis. There’s a great story going on. Enjoy!
-
Podcast #2 – 2024 Men’s Preview
Ready for 2024? Let’s talk tennis! Here’s my take on everything important in 2024 Men’s tennis. Enjoy!
-
Australian Open Draws and Schedule for Day 1: Sunday, January 14, 2024
The 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark will play 20th-seeded Magda Linette of Poland in her Australian Open return on Sunday in Melbourne. Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images Australian Open Melbourne ParkMelbourne, AustraliaJanuary 14-28, 2024A$86.5 million ($58.91 million U.S. dollars)Hard Court History At Stake at 2024 Australian Open Ten-time AO champion Novak Djokovic…
-
Australian Open R1 previews and predictions: Sinner vs. Van de Zandschulp, Tiafoe vs. Coric
The Australian Open gets underway on Sunday and Jannik Sinner will be in action in Rod Laver Arena against Botic van de Zandschulp. Another big-name matchup in round one features Frances Tiafoe and Borna Coric.(4) Jannik Sinner vs. Botic van de ZandschulpSinner pretty much took the tennis world by storm in 2023, especially in the…
-
Podcast #1 – Introduction
Well, here it is! You asked. I’ve delivered. This begins First Ball Forehand’s podcast journey. Here is my introduction. Let’s talk tennis!
-
18-Year-Old Shang Displaying Grace Under Pressure as 2024 Kicks Off
The Chinese teen has saved match points to win in both of his matches at Hong Kong. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday January 3, 2024 China’s Juncheng Shang is one of six teenagers inside the ATP’s Top 200 and generally thought of as a rising talent that could be a future top player.…