When Carole isn’t onsite looking after the Royal Park Tennis Club, it’s generally Neil who is down there in her place. He’s a gentle soul, Neil. Most folk with any long term association with tennis seem to have some form of alpha about them. The halo effect is surely magnified when you meet a decent person down at the tennis club. I exaggerate, but Neil’s the nicest bloke you’ll ever met.
The first period of this new year Carole’s been away and so Neil’s been down there every day. I’m relatively new to the RPTC and so I’ve been careful not to make a name for myself of any sort except, if only, as that diligent new comer who takes such good care of our en tout cas courts (I’ve learnt so much from Carole already that I’ve an idea to convince her to co-author a book with me on fast-dry clay court care etiquette and positive psychology that we might entitle “Zen and the art of watering and bagging”).
But anyway, I’ve noticed this new year that Neil’s not once had Seven’s Summer of Tennis on the club’s television. Instead he’s had the Big Bash on or even one day, the Racing channel (though I can’t imagine Neil ever having the conviction to place a wager and if he did it would only ever be with a sensible, affordable amount). Finally, having seen so much of him already this year and him having become familiar with my first name, I told him that I’d noticed that he never has the tennis on the television. Neil explained, almost apologetically, that he doesn’t actually like watching the tennis, neither on TV or live in person. He loves playing it but he won’t choose to watch it. He never goes to the Australian Open. He couldn’t even share predictions for next week’s Open with me. He prefers watching the Big Bash for excitement.
I find January the most challenging month of the year. The difficulty I have getting back into work after the mandatory break gets me thinking about Frankl and Man’s Search for Meaning and the fact that tennis is so available at all times of the day only distracts me further and fuels my worry that I should be more engaged during my weekdays. Beyond my own existential crisis I do my best not to take Seven’s television coverage for granted. I worry about viewer numbers. I don’t want Seven’s commitment to wane over the coming years. If Neil’s not watching it who else isn’t interested?
The Seven investment fascinates me given I can’t easily find anyone to share my enthusiasm for it. It’s extensive enough. There’s even an app to help me stay across courts that aren’t televised. Are the viewers really out there supporting Seven’s commitment? I hope so. My close tennis friends aren’t engaged enough. Cam’s interest depends on whether or not Federer’s playing and Steve’s time always seems to be committed elsewhere. There’s been so much great tennis already. I long for a daily conversation with a fellow viewer.
Who watched Jordan Thompson beat David Ferrer up in Brisbane? Two grinders defending their way through three sets. Thompson blew four match points trying to play the opposite way in which he’d got himself there. When he got his fifth he appeared to decide he’d just stay in the point, much like the approach he’d taken to the whole match prior, and so Ferrer got frustrated after about a 30 shot rally and tried to go after a backhand by driving it down the line, only to find the net.
Muguruza over Kasatkina up in Brisbane as well? Did anyone see that? Kasatkina is the top ranked teenager in the world and has since confirmed she’s legit by beating the world number one, Kerber, in Sydney on Wednesday. Muguruza overcame her in a tense three sets that had me talking to myself while she did the same. Kasaktina wouldn’t go away and had match points herself. I’d have been a wreck telling myself I can’t lose this, I’m the reigning French Open champ. Muguruza told herself she would win it, because she is the French Open champ.
Raonic over Nadal, again up in Brisbane? Raonic spent the first set and half trying to adhere to a plan he or his coach had set for himself. He seemed to be forcing himself into the net despite the quality of the approach shot and even when it was the right decision he couldn’t get his volleys crisp. Nadal had me thinking he was still the man I’d get to play for my life, but then Raonic just started exploding that forehand until Nadal was almost colliding with the ball boys as he was spread chasing balls across the back wall.
Dimitrov then went on to beat Raonic in the semi. I couldn’t watch that one but Dmitrov seemed to suggest afterwards that it was fairly comfortable once he got a read on Milos’ serve. What if Dmitrov is about to come good? They used to call him junior Federer and now that he’s got a new coach, Vallverdu (who deserves a story himself given his age and experience already), he seems to be taking the now or never approach.
Though it’s hard to know how much the injury Nishikori sustained during the final influenced the result, Dmitrov getting through three top ten players in a row to win in Brisbane only makes for one extra player to take seriously once the Open starts.
Still in Brisbane, what about Thompson and Kokkinakos beating the world’s best doubles pair on the way to the title?
Over in Perth for the Hopman, did you see Federer and the younger Zverev brother? Geez Zverev is explosive for a kid of his dimensions. He’s long. Kyrgios, Thiem and Zverev are all so dynamic they could each ruin a top seed at the Aussie Open you’d think, stars aligning.
Neil won’t care but I’ll share my predictions for the Open here in order to start the conversation. On the women’s side, Serena lost early and in three sets in Auckland after winning her second set in a tie-break. Odd she didn’t kick on in the third. I know she peaks for slams but I’m writing her off for the Open. Same for Kerber. I say the Czech girl she beat at the US Open, Pliskova, is the one to watch this year. Anyone see Konta beat Bouchard up last night though? See how she goes against the craftier Radwanska tonight.
In the men’s, there are at least ten very interesting players to watch, but I doubt anyone will stop either Djokovic or Murray. I wish Del Potro was here.
I hope you’re all watching this as closely as I am.
Confess I am one of those people, Joeya, who grew up on the tennis court and would watch as much of the Aus Open and lead up tournaments as possible (even used to work as an usher at the Australian Men’s Hardcourts when they were in Adelaide) but now have passing interest. The interest tends to increase in the second week when there is an opportunity to watch Murray and Wawrinka play the other top 10 players. Stan’s my man until he’s no longer going and then it’s onto the Murray bandwagon for all its explosions.
Stan looked a bit funny in the head last night Dan. He only gets better the deeper he goes though right?…In a match or a tournament. That seems interesting you like Murray after Stan but I’m not sure why I say that.
As the article mentions the tennis player, Darin Kasatkina, who was recently granted Australian citizenship, it will be a few years until she’s eligible to play for Australia in the Fed Cup, as a member of the team.
The French Open and Wimbledon will be played over the coming months, and it will clash with the AFL season.
This got me thinking of doing a football team, where either each players’ first name or surname has got something to do with tennis. The criteria is that the football players’ name cannot be names of tennis players and the spelling doesn’t matter. The tennis idea can be part of the player’s name and the name can only be used once.
Many players have been played out of position, so that there can be some sort of order for a particular line. For example, Ball Boy, Game Set, Ground Strokes, BackHands/ForeHands, Ace Spin Server.
This is the VFL/AFL Tennis Team:
B: Ray BALL (Richmond/South Melb/BALL), Jordan BOYd (Carlton/BALL BOY), Herc VOLLUGI (Ess 1901-06/VOLLEY)
HB: Mark GAMBLE (St Kilda 1986-88/GAME), Will SETterfield (GWS/C/E/SET), Ian LETcher (Foots/St K/1953-57/LET)
C: Housie GROUNDs (St K 1924/GROUND), Matthew STOKES (G/E/STROKES), Dick CLAY (Rich/CLAY Court)
HF: Robert MACE (Hawthorn/St Kilda/ACE), Jason LOVE (NM/SM/LOVE Game), Jake STRINGER (WB/Ess/GWS/STRINGER)
F: Brett BACKwell (Carl/BACKHANDS), Wayne FOREman (Ess/FOREHANDS), Ken HANDS (Carl//BACKHANDS/FOREHANDS)
R: AYCE Cordy (West Bulldogs/ACE), Brett SPINks (WC/Geel 1994-98/SPIN), Harry SELOVER (3 games Melb 1919/died aged 102 in 2001/ACE SPIN SERVER)
This team will play a pretend exhibition match against the VFL/AFL team of players who have surnames of well known tennis players.
The match will be played at Gosch’s Paddock, as it’s close to Rod Laver Arena.
Entertainment will be provided by the song “Tennis Court” (2013), by Lorde.
Transport will be provided by ACE Car Freighters.
The match will be streamed live on the Tennis Channel.
Commentary will be provided by Wally FOREman (FOREhand).
Let’s hope for a good game of football for all four quarters and any TIE-BREAKER periods!
Firstly, it should be typed as Daria (not Darin) Kasatkina.
Ken HANDS (Carl/ForeHANDS/BackHANDS) will be the captain coach of the VFL/AFL Tennis Team.
The umpire for the exhibition match between the VFL/AFL Tennis Team and the VFL/AFL Team of Players who have Surnames of Well Known Tennis Players will be Darren GoldSPINk. (SPIN)
Any player who continues to give verbal abuse to the umpire will risk being defaulted from the match.
Rory LOBB (GWS/Frem/WB/LOB) has been added to the VFL/AFL Tennis Team at centre half back. Will SETterfield (GES/Carl/Ess/SET) has been demoted to the interchange bench.
Geoff DRIVER (St K/SM 1945-47/Forehand and Backhand DRIVE) will be the other player named on the interchange bench.
Driver will all be in charge of transport for the team.
These changes will hopefully make the VFL/AFL Tennis Team stronger, so that these players can provide better SERVICE and have less FAULTS to deal with.
As the French Open is starting this Sunday, it got me thinking of doing a football team where every player’s surname is that of a well known Australian tennis player.
I tried to do a similar team back in January 2024 in the Football Team of German Origins article in the FA, but that also included relatives of tennis players as well as football players who were related to tennis players and tennis terminology.
The criteria is that surname can only be used once and preference has been given to both better football players and better tennis players. Th exception is that the Coach and a player can have the same surname, as with Cahill.
The spelling doesn’t matter and the footballers’ surnames can also be part of the tennis players’ surnames. eg Bartel for Barty, Phillipou for Philippoussis, Mason Wood for Todd Woodbridge/Mark Woodforde.
Please note that Darryl Hewitt was named ahead of Glynn Hewitt because Darryl Hewitt played more games in the VFL.
Some players were played out of position, so they could be included in the team.
This is the VFL/AFL Team of Tennis Surnames:
B: Jimmy Bartel (Geel/Ash Barty), Dustin Fletcher (Ess/Ken Fletcher tennis player), Danny Frawley (c) (St K/Rod Frawley)
HB: Terry Cahill (Ess/Darren Cahill), Ryan Turnbull (West Coast E/Wendy Turnbull), Michael Long (Ess/Thelma Long)
C: Jai Newcombe (Haw/John Newcombe), Bob Rose (Collingwood/Merv Rose), Shai Bolton (Rich/WC/Nancy Wynne Bolton)
HF: Ian Cooper (St Kilda/Ashley Cooper), Ken Fraser (Essendon/Neale Fraser), Joel Smith (St K/Haw/Margaret Smith Court)
F: Rex Hunt (Rich/Geel/St K/Lesley Hunt), Michael Roach (Rich/Tony Roche), Mason Wood (NM/St K/Todd Woodbridge/Mark Woodforde)
R: Len Thompson (Coll/SM/Fitz/Jordan Thompson), Rod McGregor (Carl 1905-12, 1914-20/Ken McGregor tennis player), Shane Crawford (Haw/Jack Crawford)
Interchange: Jed Anderson (Haw/NM/Mal Anderson), Pat Cash Sr. (Haw/Pat Cash Jr.), Darryl Hewitt (St K/Lleyton Hewitt), Terry Cahill (Ess/Darren Cahill)
Sub: Mattaes Phillipou (St K/Mark Philippoussis)
Emergencies: Sam Davidson (WB/Owen Davidson), Ryan Fitzgerald (Syd/Adel/John Fitzgerald), Les Laver (Geel 1926, 1928, 1931-32/Rod Laver)
Coach: John Cahill (PA/Darren Cahill)
This team will play a pretend exhibition match against the VFL/AFL Tennis Team, named in the above comments.
The match will be played at the MCG, which is close to Rod Laver Arena.
Entertainment: The song “Tennis Court”, by Lorde and highlights of any Grand Slam singles titles by the players mentioned in brackets
Let’s hope for a good game of football that promises to be ace!
As Terry Cahill’s name was printed twice on the half back flank and as one of the interchange players, the selectors have decided to leave him on the half back flank. His name on the interchange bench has now been replaced by Sam Davidson, who was originally one of the emergencies.
The selectors have now made another change. Michael Turner (Geel/Lesley Turner Bowrey) has now been named on the wing for the VFL/AFL Team of Tennis Surnames, replacing Jai Newcombe, who has been demoted to the interchange bench. Sam Davidson will now go back to being one of the emergencies.
The selectors have made another change with Harley Reid (WC/Kerry Melville Reid) being named on the half forward flank, to replace Joel Smith, who has been demoted to the interchange bench. Terry Cahill has now become one of the emergencies.
As The Ashes Test Cricket is starting on Friday, together with the title of this article, it got me thinking of doing a cricket team where each players shares a surname of famous or up and coming male or female (maiden or married surname) Australian tennis players, or has a surname named after an event. eg Davis for Davis Cup
The spelling of the surname doesn’t matter, as long as it’s close enough. The famous Australian tennis player could have been or currently is a top junior tennis player.
This is the World Test Cricket 11 of Surnames of Famous Australian Tennis Players or Events:
Zac Crawley (Evonne Cawley)
Ian Davis (Davis Cup)
Dean Jones (Emerson Jones/Australian junior with a career high ITF junior combined ranking of No. 1)
Steve Smith (c) (Margaret Smith)
Harry Brook (Norman Brookes)
Keith Miller (Craig Miller/boy’s singles champion 1980 Australian Open, beating Wally Masur in the final)
Frank Laver (15 Tests Australia 1899-1909/Rod Laver)
Rod Marsh (wk) (Norma Marsh/quarter finalist Australian Open 1962, 1971)
Kemar Roach (Tony Roche)
Angus Fraser (Neale Fraser)
Bruce Reid (Kerry Reid)
This team will play a pretend exhibition match against an Australian Test Cricket 11 of Surnames of Famous VFL/AFL Players:
Bob Simpson (Adam Simpson)
David Warner (Chad Warner)
Shane Watson (Nick Watson)
Brad Hodge (Luke Hodge)
Michael Clarke (c) (David Clarke)
Cameron Green (Michael Green)
Alex Carey (wk) (Wayne Carey)
Ryan Harris (Leon Harris)
Max Walker (Taylor Walker)
Nathan Lyon (Gary Lyon)
Brad Williams (Greg Williams)
These teams will play a pretend exhibition match against each other.
Venue: Keith Miller Oval, Sunshine
Entertainment: The song “The Name of the Game”, by Abba
Let’s hope for a good game of cricket, where each player can make a name for themselves!
The recent win by Maddison INGLIS (namesake Josh INGLIS) to reach the 3rd of the Australian Open, got me thinking of doing a cricket team where either the player’s nickname, first name, surname or part of their name is the same name/nickname as a player competing in this year’s Australian Open 2026.
The spelling doesn’t matter, as long as it sounds the same. The name can only be used once and the side was selected for team balance.
This is the World Test Cricket Team of Players who share a name/nickname with Australian players competing at the Australian Open in 2026:
Rohit SHARMA (Astra SHARMA (Aus) lost 1st round of Women’s Doubles in Aus Open 20026)
Herschelle GIBBS (Talia GIBSON (Aus) lost 2nd round of Women’s Singles in Aus Open 2026)
Nathan McSWEENEY (3 Tests Aus 2024/Dane SWEENY (Aus) lost 2nd round of Men’s Singles in Aus Open 2026)
Steve SMITH (c) (John-Patrick SMITH (Aus) is playing in the 1st round of the Men’s Doubles in Aus Open 2026)
Dean JONES (Emerson JONES (Aus) lost in the 1st round of the Women’s Singles in Aus Open 2026)
JONTY Rhodes (Maya JOINT (Aus) lost 1st round in the Women’s singles in the Aus Open 2026)
Josh INGLIS (wk) (5 Tests Aus 2025/Maddison INGLIS (Aus) is in the 3rd round of the Women’s singles in the Aus Open in 2026)
Trevor HOHNS (7 Tests Aus 1989/Priscillia HON (Aus) lost in the 2nd round of the Women’s singles in Aus Open in 2026)
Peter TAYLOR (TAYLAH Preston (Aus) lost in the 2nd round of the Women’s singles in the Aus Open in 2026)
Jeff THOMSON (Jordan THOMPSON (Aus) lost in the 2nd round of the Men’s singles in the Aus Open in 2026)
Fred “THE DEMON BOWLER” Spofforth (18 Test Aus 1877-87/Alex de Minaur (Aus) (“The Demon” is in the 3rd of Aus Open Men’s singles in 2026)
12th man: Chris CONNOLLY (1 Test Aus 2025/Chris O’CONNELL (Aus) lost 1st round of the Men’s singles in Aus Open in 2026)
This team will play a pretend exhibition match against the Australian Test Cricket team of Surnames of VFL/AFL players, named in the above comment.
Venue: MCG (close to Rod Laver Arena)
Entertainment: “C’Mon Aussie C’Mon, by Mojo Singers
Let’s hope for a good game of cricket that will be ace, as well as a smash hit!