Sorry for the four month sebatical, but I've been a little low on inspiration. I'm snapping out of it now though and ready to get those interested back up to date. The last time I wrote, I was playing with Eric Taino (USA) in the second round of the French Open. We ended up losing to Bhupathi-Paes 6-4, 7-6(2) who went on to win the tournament. The road only got tougher as I lost eight straight first round matches in three sets (and Wimbledon in five sets). I found no love in Prostejov, Czech (vs. Cermak-Fukarek); Queens, England (Bhupathi-Paes); Rosmalen, Holland (Mirnyi-Voltchkov); Wimbledon (Kitinov-Zimonjic); Venice (Alleri-Velasco); Bastad (Aspelin-Kratzmann); Amsterdam (Corretja-Lobo); and Los Angeles (Adams-Llodra). The centerpiece of the stretch was a five set loss at Wimbledon where Eric Taino and I were up two sets to love and down 1-4 in the third set. We rallied back in the third set to reach match point at 7-6 in the third set tiebreaker against Kitinov (MAC) - Zimonjic (SER). I hit a decent return on match point, but Zimonjic poached and got just enough racket on it to put it away. We lost the third set breaker 9-7 and eventually the match 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(7), 4-6, 3-6. With the help of Paul "Killer" Kilderry (AUS), the bad mojo streak ended in Lexington, Kentucky. Paul is one of the original Aussie wild men and authors should be lining up to write his biography. I'd do it myself, but am fearful of retaliation. We played well the entire tournament and ended up losing a tight match in the final to DeJager-Koenig (RSA) 7-6(4), 7-5. Not bad considering Paul has refused to practice with me for the last five years because I like to start my practice warming up slowly at half court; I guess it's not true to his rough and tumble Aussie image. So, things were looking up going into the stretch run for the US Open even though Harel Levy (ISR) and I went down in the first round in Indianapolis to Knowles-MacPhie (BAH/USA) 6-1, 6-4. I entered the Open with Jan Simerink (NED). We drew Oncins-Orsanic (BRA-ARG) in the first round and came out on fire. We broke serve immediately and went on the win the first set 6-3. The Brazilian fans were rough as usual (clapping on errors and even double faults), but we hung tough and held two match points at 6-4 in the second set tiebreaker. At 6-4, I let loose on a first serve and just missed an ace. It was a bit of a late call and for a second I thought the match was over. My second serve made it into the box, but the parabolic trajectory enabled Orsanic to rip it for a winner. I made a decent return at 6-5, but they came up with a couple of good volleys and it was downhill from there as we lost 6-3, 6-7(6), 4-6. At the beginning of the third set, I went over and asked the line umpire how far out my serve was. A familiar voice replied, "An inch." I realized that the umpire was from my home town and later found out that he had a nightmare that night; he dreamed that he had called the serve good, his superior had reviewed the match on videotape, realized that he was from my hometown and fired him. I would have gladly picked up the tab. Along the way, my player council duties have flared up a bit as we implement the doubles agreement made with the tournament directors in January. Someone recently told me, "You should make sure you're covered by the ATP's insurance in case someone sues you." Not surprising as I knew all along that the agreement would be a tough sell. I compare it to a stock broker telling his client, "Congratulations! I only lost 25% of your money when you should have lost 50%." Not an easy sell and yes, I am covered. So, it's been an interesting and exciting stretch, if not successful. The summer tournaments are always a good time and I've still got one of the best jobs on the planet. I feel like I'm playing well, but the stars aren't aligned at the moment. It's not the first time I've had a stretch like this and it tends to make the good stretches that much more enjoyable once things turn around. I'm writing this on my way from New York to London where I have a 12 hour layover before heading on to my next destination. I do hear Tashkent, Uzbekistan is beautiful this time of year. Anyone want to come and visit?.......I'll take that as a no. ~ Jack |