I guess my Christmas Wish List column got pretty far around the world, but apparently not to Santa himself (laughs). I want to personally thank the reader who sent me a Marat Safin Christmas card ... very interesting. For those of you who never saw it, it had Marat smashing his tennis racquet (how appropriate) over my head! Nice touch, but no, you still won't get me to say here or anywhere in public that Marat is king! (Nice win at the Aussie, but he still has a way to go.)
I also want to thank all the readers who read the column and have contacted the companies or people I mentioned. I have received a ton of feedback from these companies, and every response has said that you, our SC readers, were polite, friendly, professional, and a pleasure to speak with. Way to go, guys and gals!
After the column, I was contacted by two of the companies, INTENN.com and Vantage. I want to thank all of you for your kind words to Mr. Gore of INTENN, the DVD tennis magazine, and let you know that his next issue is due soon. I recommend you visit his website, INTENN.com to find out more, and even leave him a comment. Or you can e-mail me here, and I'll pass it along.
Vantage Sports International actually launched their company and website on February 7th, about a month later than I wrote it would. I spoke to Mr. Paul Angell, the founder of Vantage Sports International and VantageTennis.com right after the launch, and he was also very appreciative of your support. He asked if there was anything he could do to thank us here at Sports Central, and I declined.
I did ask him, though, if he could reward you, the readers, for your support and for reading this column. He agreed, and so thanks to you and Vantage, any Sports Central reader who purchases from him will receive a 15% discount on Vantage tennis products.
When you place your order there, will be a referral code box that is on the order page. So, exclusive to Sports Central readers, put in the code "TK01" and your purchase will automatically receive a 15% discount. Don't forget the code, "TK01," because if you do, you won't receive your discount. Thank you, Mr. Angell, for your kindness to our readers.
To remind you all, Vantage Sports International is a new "mass market custom" racquet builder. That means that they offer you a range of choices, from head size, grip size, grip shape, shaft flexibility, length, weight, balance, grip type, and in this case, color (black or white). You go to VantageTennis.com, go through the easy-to-use racquet builder, and viola, you have a racquet that is built to what you want. If you aren't sure, there are also three pre-built models to review or choose from. After you place your order, they are hand-built and shipped directly to you. They typically arrive the next day, no more then 24 hours from the day of your order.
I also received an e-mail from Mr. Frank Kunz, founder and Director of Research and Development at X-45 Corp. He let me know that X-45 Corp. is coming into 2005 with an expanded range of frames, adding to the already popular 22 mm lineup with a new 28 mm lineup (I think he said it will be called the Monster series) and a 24 mm range, as well.
As of press time, the initial production of the 28 mm and 24 mm had not yet hit the states, so I haven't seen any yet. The new frames will all range from about 10 oz to 13 oz, and will round out the line so that X-45 now has a frame to suit any player and playing style. Check out www.X-45.com. You can also order from them direct on the web, another plus. They have a very generous demo program, so its worth a look at one of these very unique and well playing frames.
I also want to thank the reader who sent me a poster sized picture of Anastasia Myskina, with the following written on it, "Dear Tom, In your dreams, buddy! Love, Anastasia." I took it to my local sports memorabilia shop in hopes that it was authentic, but alas it appears that it isn't. So to whomever sent it, thanks anyway. It's still a pretty hot picture, and now I can see it every time I sit down to write this column.
Before I go, I want to thank you all for your continued readership. I would love to know how far away and how much this column gets, so if you don't mind, how about e-mailing me or leaving a comment here on the website to tell me where you are from and what you like about my columns, and Sports Central, too.
So, thanks a lot. My next column will get right back to tennis. I will have a feature on the Tennis Angels (yep, you don't want to miss this) and also some good commentary on the pro game before the WTA and ATP tours make their next stop together at the NASDAQ 100 in Miami.
Later, gators...
February 21, 2005
Natasha:
HI Tom. I cant say that I agree with you most of the time but you do make me laugh. Anyways I am from the caribbean island of Anguilla. I am telling you this because you wished to know how far away your readership base extends. By the way I am a Huge Marat Safin fan but no, I am not apart of the Marat Safin mafia as you so quaintly (&predictably) termed it. We should all leave the stereotypes alone should we not. Is that why you don’t seem to like Marat MR. K. Is it because he is Russian?? I know you are an American but surely your surname suggests that your ancestors are European- Polish perhaps? As to Safin being ‘king’ I am sure his fans dont mean that he is the best but he is undeniably among the best and we would just like you to acknowledge that once in a while. We are aware that no one, particularly the record books dont remember or record potential. Yes Roddick and Federer were the standout players of 2004 but we should all remember that tennis has its cycles not to say that Federer won’t always be in the equation. He is too talented not to be. One more thing I have a problem with in general. Tennis commentators seem to have a very short memory when it comes to Federer. If I did not know better, I would think that he came onto the tour comporting himself as he is now.No one seems to remember his being fined for lack of effort or his sometimes petulant behaviour but they do seem to have a long memory when it comes to Hewitt, Safin and other other players. Admittedly Federer’s behaviour is beyond reproach now but hey everyone is nice when they are winning. The real test comes when things stop going your way. By the way did I mention that Federer is also a favourite of mine? However, its disrespectful to fans of the game of tennis and the other players on the tour for commentators to act like Federer is out on the court playing by himself. The way they go on you would beleive the other ATP players cant play tennis or that its a one man show. I get it that Federer is graceful and beautiful to watch but come on. Its annoying how they try to outdo themselves with superlatives describing a shot Federer hits, a shot that he supposedly can only hit or hit the best or a shot no ones has hit before. I have been watching tennis nigh on ten years (admittedly they have watched more) but things they say are sometimes untrue and laughable and ridiculous. I have to restrain myself from watching tennis with mute on. I remember watching a match with Fed and he hit a great shot but one I have seen hit a couple times before and the way the commentators went on and on was nauseating and off putting and I am a Federer fan!!! Yes Fed hits some unbelivable shots but he does not do everything the best. Henman has a better volley, Roddick a better serve, Gaudio a gorgeous one hand backhand. I can understand if they say he does everything great, some better than the others but dont insult our intelligence or tennis knowledge. I understand that coomentators and tennis writers are enamored of Rogers game (I am too) as he is a throwback. (They act like Federer is not a power player too. Pretty tennis alone cannot get the job done in this modern game)They are bemoaning the game of today but its natural for sports to evolve. Do we really want to go back to those days? Yes we like tradition and variety but we also need advancements. The ATP needs to take a leaf out of the PGA book and monitor the tennis equipment so the game is not overpowered. FInally, (I mean it this time) the tennis world is fickle and has a really truncated memory. Poor Pete Sampras. They seem to have forgetton how Great Pete was in his heyday. I can’t wait till someone else comes along to make them forget how great Federer was and no, thats not imposiible. Afterall, I thought it was impossible that Pete would be forgotten so easily and dont give me any BS how Federer’s games is more complete. The whole thing is that Federer just looks prettier playing the game. Pretty tennis. He has not even reached the half way mark of Petes 14 slams yet, everyone is besides themselves predicting this and that. In all honesty Mr. K, records are meant to be broken but in the history of sports it takes a while for them to fall like a generation or two removed. How likely is it that Fed, one generation removed will surpass that GS total? The way I see it, this year could be like the one the PGA tour had recently. I love Tiger but not even he could replicate that magical year of repeating his 3 slams in one year consecutively. I beleive the other players will step up. The only thing seperating Fed and the rest of the top ten field is BELIEF AND CONFIDENCE. Everyone on the tour can play tennis but some are more consistent than others and some have more weapons but the top ten features guys who all have their own special weapon and can hang with Fed. The question is do they beleive that? Its all a matter of intanginbles seperating the top four right now. It will be who wants it more and who has the guts and belief to step up and take it. Anyways MR K. keep up the good work. Even though I disagree with most of what you write I can still respect it and see it from your point of view. I know you will disagree with most of what I write but I hope you can see where I am coming from.
Natasha
February 22, 2005
Tom Kosinski:
Natasha,
I sent you an email to personally thank you, but I also wanted to leave this comment to say I am proud and happy to have you as a regular reader.
No, I don’t have anything against Russians or Russia (I’m in love with Anastasia M, don’t you know that? (LOL) and love the fact that the Russian women have really made the women’s tour interesting to watch again. But as for Marat, ton of potential, and even with his two slam wins, barely tapped.
Thanks again for reading, and for dropping me a note. Next time I’m looking for a sunny place to play and lounge, you’ll be the first one I call!
tom