Tennis is a Sweet Sport!

Oh man, where do I start???

Hmm...Rafa Nadal looked for one sec on Friday night he was going to bounce out of the semifinals to his Spanish counterpart Fernando Verdasco. What a match! What a match! Personally, I didn't catch any of it, but from what I've heard, this match was beyond amazing. I didn't think Verdasco could make it close, though he had been hot this tournament. Just think, the length of this match exceeded last year's epic Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal by 26 minutes, ending at 1 in the morning, after some thrilling 5 hours and 14 minutes.

It was so emotional Nadal let out tears in the final game, and the way he reacted after the win was eerily similar to what he did at Wimbledon a year ago. After this marathon match, I think Nadal's chances of winning have just been greatly reduced. Federer's win over Roddick was a breeze and he had an extra day of rest. But the exact results remain to be seen...

I'm absolutely in love with this rivalry. Federer, of course, is striving to match Sampras' record of 14 career slams, while Nadal is still looking for his first hard court major, not counting last year's Olympics. Either way, this match will bring the rivalry to new heights, as Federer could make history or Nadal could gain a new name for himself, not just as clay king, but as a versatile and potent player on every type of surface. I don't have the cable channel which will carry the final, so I'll be looking for the results tomorrow morning. Can't wait!

Now, the women's side of the tournament wasn't so exciting this year. Serena Williams continued her streak of winning every other year by beating Dinara Safina 6-0, 6-3. This came a day after Senera and Venus Williams won the women's doubles title. Congrats to Serena, but I'd ask for a refund for my ticket.

Mike and Bob Bryan captured the men's doubles title. It was predictable.

-D

Ivanovic Out

Man, I love tennis.

It's a gentle(wo)man's sport, with violence on the court virtually unheard of. It's entertaining, exciting, and sometimes flabbergasting.

Remember last year's Aussie Open with the emergence of Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Federer's OMG defeat in the semis? Well, last year's finalist Ana Ivanovic has been knocked out in the 3rd round, and so the surprises continue.

Canadian Daniel Nestor and his doubles partner Nenad Zimonjic were knocked out yesterday as well. They were seed #1. But the Bryan Brothers are still in and they look to have this tournee locked up...oops, shouldn't say that about Aussie Open.

Zheng Jie of China (Happy Chinese New Year by the way) sent Bondarenko of Ukraine packing yesterday, advacing to the fourth round! Do I sense another Wimbledon-like run by Zheng??!!

Right now, Juan Del Potro (seed #8) has just (literally, just) defeated Marin Cilic in a four setter at Hisense. Top seed Jelena Jankovic couldn't withstand the heat from Marion Bartoli and she went down earlier today in Rod Laver. Federer will face Berdych later today, should be a good one. Djokovic's fourth round match will come against Marcos Baghdatis, and we all know that the latter is capable of pushing fans to the edges of their seats.

We also saw a disgusting brawl between Serbian and Bosnian fans a couple days ago. It is just pathetic to see tennis fans acting like that. I love tennis partly because it is such a gentlemanly and good-natured sport, but ethnicity should never be a barrier to that. It's often said that sport trascends race and religion. So, to those troublemakers at Thursday's match between Djokovic and Delic, grow up, behave, and enjoy the sport.

Jose Calderon has currently nailed down 83 straight free throws. I honestly think this guy could break Michael Williams' record of 98. He's consistent like that, even after a costly injury. I expect the Raps to perform better with Calderon in the line up, but they've got to pick it up SERIOUSLY if Toronto wants to see another playoff season.

HOW 'BOUT PRESIDENT OBAMA'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS THE OTHER DAY EH??!! AMAZING!!!

-D

The Aussie Open Experience

Well, it's back and better than ever.

The first of 4 promising Grand Slams has started. Those tennis loving Aussies are filing through the stands at Rod Laver Arena and Vodafone.

This year, unlike the past 4 tournaments, Rafael Nadal entered as seed #1. Roger Federer, whose grip on hardcourt has been declining, is second ranked the world.

No big surprises on either side yet. Agniezka Radwanska (probably didn't spell that right) of Poland is the only top 10 seed knocked out.

Federer broke a sweat in his first round match. But Djokovic, Nadal, Roddick, Murray are all through without trouble. Lleyton Hewitt, whose performance has been on a steady downhill, was defeated by Fernando Gonzalez.

Djokovic is in his third round match, leading 5-2 in the first. Mario Cilic and David Ferrer are in a tight one at MCA. Roger Federer will face Marat Safin later today. Fabrice Santoro of France will take on Andy Roddick who hasn't won a major in a long time. Otherwise, mostly doubles matches for the rest of today.

-D

THE INAUGURATION

That should totally be a movie title..."THE INAUGURATION" coming to a theatre near you.

All jokes aside, the inauguration of PEBO (President-Elect Barack Obama) will take place in just 15 hours time and I, as so many others around the world, am thrilled to be alive at this moment in history.

Decades from now, this will be a moment whose significance will rank alongside Lincoln's second inaugural, and JFK's "Ask Not" address.

I have never been so inspired in my life and after what we've seen in the last 8 years, I think many can say the same. This feeling is so amazing that it's indescribable. This is what people must have felt like when the Allies achieved victory in Europe, and when slaves were released by the Emancipation Proclaimation.

I have never seen a nation so inspired and united and happy. I have never seen crowds this size in a celebration of political achievement and national renewal. This is the first time in my life I have been so touched watching people smile, and cheer, and celebrate.

Tomorrow will be a day that shakes the world. Clips of Obama raising his right hand and affirming the 35-word oath that has withstood the toughest of eras will be played over and over and over again in classrooms, and libraries, and palaces around the world. David Letterman will be sure to include it in his "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches".

So on this eve of the most historic inauguration of an American President ever, I wish Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha all the best, as well as Joe and Jill Biden. I am looking forward to the next four years.

Godspeed to the 44th President!

-D

A Basketball President

Barack Obama's inauguration is just 9 days away!! I can hardly wait! A couple months back, I wrote an article about him in my school's newspaper. For those who are interested, here it is:

When Barack Obama won the presidency of the United States, I could almost hear the NBA headquarters break out their champagne. Of course, it had been a great moment in American history, one that will be never forgotten. But the fact that Obama is a huge basketball fan provided even more reason for the NBA folks to celebrate.

Obama’s passion for basketball started out young. He was a point guard on his high school’s basketball team, and in 1979, Punahou High School captured Hawaii’s state championship. In fact, I found a video of the young Obama playing for his high school team on Youtube (He did miss a free throw in the video). Obama’s love for the sport never faded as he went on to become a community organizer in Chicago, and later a graduate of Harvard Law School.

The President-Elect might as well thank basketball for helping to get Michelle Obama’s hand in marriage. Michelle, last name Robinson at the time, had a brother (Craig) who also played the sport. One day, Michelle asked Craig to take on Barack in streetball to see what kind of a person he is on the court. That sure worked out well. Craig later described Obama as “confident but not cocky” and said “he’ll take the shot if he’s open…”

Over the course of his long campaign, President-Elect Obama received many endorsements from prominent basketball figures. Historical greats like Kareem Abdul Jabaar, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan highlight the list. Current stars like Chauncey Billups, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Greg Oden also publicly supported Obama’s run. Even coach Phil Jackson was an Obama fan. Outside of the NBA, famous athletes like Michael Phelps, Shawn Johnson, and Jimmy Rollins all embraced Obama’s youthful energy.

Just this election day, the President-Elect played basketball with Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA). And when he moves in to the White House come January, don’t be surprised if President Obama orders an indoor basketball court to be built in the mansion. Besides, he has no use for that bowling alley Nixon put in the basement. Not only will Obama be America’s first African-American president, it’s safe to say that he will be the first basketball president too.

-D

Tradition and Identity

Three days ago, I sat on the couch with a cup of hot tea watching the Detroit Red Wings win the NHL Winter Classic at the frozen confines of Wrigley Field, on the North Side of Chicago.

Nine days ago, I sat on the couch with my feet up on a stack of newspapers watching the Los Angeles Lakers end Boston Celtics’ 19 game winning streak, in exciting fashion.

If you’re a hardcore sports fan, these are things you probably do every holiday season. You see, the National Hockey League has started a new tradition of playing an outdoor game on New Year’s Day-the Winter Classic. While lacking a name, the National Basketball Association also holds the tradition of uniting old rivals such as the Lakers and Celtics on Christmas Day.

As blunt as this may be: I LOVE THESE TRADITIONS!

The buck doesn’t stop with the NHL and the NBA. In America, football games are a perennial favourite on Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday of November. Baseball, long since known as America’s favourite pastime, holds several day games as part of the Fourth of July celebrations.

In short, each of the four major North American pro sports leagues now have traditions of playing meaningful games on a day of significance. This tradition is already starting to turn into identity, and I believe that’s a great thing for the league and the fans.

The tradition of holding parades and fireworks and addresses from politicians have become all too common on days of significance. Though I cherish those traditions as much as anyone, I find it comforting to watch sports as part of the celebration. After all, these holidays, which are traditions by themselves, are meant to celebrate heritage and culture. No one can argue that sports is not part of that here in North America.

Though it makes us in the press work overtime, I hope these traditions are well-kept for years to come!

-D

Predictions for 2009

Last year on January 4th, I posted 10 things in the world of sports that I predicted were going to happen.

In 2008, I went 2 for 10.

Here's my list of predictions for 2009:

1. With the way they're playing, Team Canada will win the World Junior Hockey Championships.

2. Brian Burke proves to be the magical potion for the Toronto Maple Leafs, turning that team around, and bringing them to the playoffs.

3. The Boston Celtics, lead by the Big Three, repeats as NBA Champions.

4. Usain Bolt will break his own World Record in the 100 M Sprint...again. Do I dare say at the World Athletic Championships in Berlin?

5. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal continue to rule the tennis world, splitting the four grand slams. Federer takes the Aussie Open and reclaims Wimbledon. Nadal takes Roland Garros and breaks through in Flushing Meadows.

6. In the 2009 World Aquatic Championships, Michael Phelps goes with a less rigorous program and takes home 4 gold medals.

7. The National League, after more than a decade, finally takes the MLB All Star Game in Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

8. Japan wins their second straight title in the World Baseball Classic.

9. Liu Xiang audaciously comes back from his defeat at the 2008 Beijing Olympics to reclaim the World Champion title, beating Dayron Rubles by a hair.

10. Nastia Liukin once again beats her teammate Shawn Johnson at the 2009 World Gymnastic Championships for the Women's All-Around gold medal.

There you go. I'm no prophet, but these are just some things to watch out for in the new year.

-D

Grow Up, Toronto!

Last night, a few friends and I rang in 2009 in a sea of 40 000 screaming revelers in Nathan Phillips Square. Though I'd rather have been in Times Square, the atmosphere was great. But as we were getting out of the square and going home, I couldn't believe how uncivilized Torontonians behaved.

We got pretty close to the stage, so naturally, it was a struggle to get out afterward. But I never imagined that people in Toronto could be that ruthless, merciless, and immature in pushing and shoving their way out. We seem to not know the basic behavioral values taught in kindergarten-keep your hands to yourself, be polite to others, pushing is rude...

Even during the show, there was constant heckling from certain people in the crowd. I believe in freedom in expression, but some people were just way overboard. What I think is that certain people think it's cool to boo performers, regardless of whether they're good or not. If you're there just to yell at the people on stage, then I don't know why you're there in the first place. Why stand in the -20 degree weather just to do that, wasting your time, and annoying other people who simply want to enjoy their time?

Some Torontonians seem to have no patience whatsoever, and not care about the interests of anyone but themselves. It was truly appalling to be in that crowd of uncivilized citizens, and be pushed like a toy. People acted as if they were pigs squished together in a pen. Is this what we've become as a society?

I was down in New York City on July 4th (Independence Day for the Americans). My parents and I watched the spectacular fireworks over the East River in Manhattan. Since we went early, we were allowed to stand on a bridge beside the river, along with thousands of others who also came early. Below the bridge, the late-comers had to stand behind a fence guarded by police. The crowd was simply amazing-with estimates of over half a million. Yet, when the fireworks were over, there was no pushing or shoving. It took a long time to get back to the hotel, but people gave eachother personal space, and panned out in an orderly fashion. That is what you call civility, and that's what was lacking last night in Nathan Phillips Square.

The street parties were pretty wild too, but that's what happens in a free society like ours. As long as people can control themselves, which for the most part they were able to do, then wild street parties can be fun.

However, I was stunned that the police did not close the streets adjacent to the square, such as Queen and Bay. The narrow sidewalks are no match for 40 000 people, so it's inevitable the crowd would spill onto the street. But the police decided to close the streets only after the street parties broke out and it was obvious no cars would get through. TOO LATE.

Like I said before, the new year's atmosphere was generally festive but it was on the verge of becoming dangerous. The nasty pushing, shoving, impatience and verbal exchanges were unbelievably pathetic. And there definitely has to be more police presence in the future.

We are a civilized society. It's time we started acting like it.

GROW UP, TORONTO!

-D

PS: Happy New Year!