SEX & TENNIS and WHEN REAL MEN CRY

LEGACY

   Lone chimneys dot California wilderness and mountain areas. Sentries, guarding the past of what was once a place of life and settlement they are also powerful testament to enduring. Some things last and remain. So it is with life and human legacy.

REAL MEN TEARS

   The Detroit Free Press said it was his "most impressive moment after the worst loss," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo in tears, voice cracking after his highly ranked Spartans lost to little Middle Tennessee State. One of his key players Denzel Valentine said it had been his job to carry a team but he let them down and that's when a tearful Izzo reached out to touch the neck of an obviously hurting kid. Tom Izzo is one of the real and genuine guys in big time college coaching. Of course he was disappointed in the team's play and their loss but he was more concerned, even compassionate about how much it hurt his kids.

     Chris Mack coach of Xavier that lost on a last second shot  was interviewed live after trying to console his highly ranked team. He emerged solemn and shaken and was asked what it was like. He said, "that is a tough locker room right now, really hurting."

     There were other such moments as the NCAA tournament  played down to the Sweet 16. Even the professional analysts, Clark Kellogg, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley were moved by the emotion, especially the Izzo comments and concern. Some may poo poo the emotions but one needs to remember despite their size and skill, they are still  really kids, many in their teens and most will never go on to play professional ball, so a tourney loss is the end of a dream and the ruin of hope. A coach, a good coach, cares about that as well. And so it is healthy, I think, to see a man who has drilled and trained an athlete, to respond to the kid, or young man with concern and compassion at one of the worst moments of their young life. And if tears flow, that's not only human, real and caring, it is also manly. Real man, manly!

AND THERE ARE MINDLESS WORDS 

     It didn't take long for most of tennis and much of the media world to fire back at Raymond Moore. He is the now besieged CEO of the Indiana Wells Tennis Garden and BNP Paribas tournament, one of the prestige venues in the world.

      Players, commentators, journalists and fans heaped scorn on Moore for his comment, on the day of the Championship Finals, that women tennis players had ridden the coat tails of men and that women players should go down on their knees to thank players like Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal.  

      Even if that was true, and it is not, it certainly is not wise to make such a sexist and outrageous comment to anyone, especially the media. Patrick McEnroe quickly said Moore should resign. Serena Williams and others have called the comments offensive. 

       I have not seen marketing studies to verify it but my hunch is the women professionals are every bit as much a box office draw as men. The top ranked women, like their male counterparts are millionaires from prize money and endorsements. 

       Oracle mogul Larry Ellison who owns the complex and tourney is expected to have the last word on Moore's unfortunate comments.

OBSERVED

   We caught this lovely scene and sound as we drove home from dinner in Cambria.

      Someone hired Voces Tapatias Mariachi to serenade those living in this apartment just off Main Street.

   It was a lovely pre sunset desert.  

WHAT WOULD TWAIN SAY?

BLUE CHARGE AND RETREAT

Moonstone Beach, Cambria

      The rhythm and sound of the Pacific enhances any day.

"I do not like work, even when someone else does it."

Mark Twain

SNAPS OF THE PROS

   Tennis champion Rafa Nadal taking a practice break in 93 degree heat at Indian Wells. 
   The BNP Paribas Open offers this blogger a chance to indulge his sports photography fantasy.

   The great Serena Williams during a practice session.

      Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray with a power drink.

   Nadal's eyes laser focused on the ball.

   Exercising his tick of putting his hair behind his ear.

   Eugenie Bourchard and shadow in a post shot single leg stance.

   Bouchard arching on a serve.

 Alize Cornet finishes a backhand.

   Andy Murray ready to deliver on a serve. His is one of the games best.

 Murray and shadow are airborne after a return. Notice the ball at his knee.

 Grigor Dimitrov in two phases of a great backhand during practice

   The fourth ranked Caroline Wozniacki going for a shot in a game and match she would loose.

   Canadian Star Milos Raonic demonstrates the intensity of waiting for a shot.

    When discussing careers my high school guidance counselor missed a couple of options-Tennis and Winemaker. Wonder what Twain would say about those lines of "work?" 

      See you down the trail.

FIVE STAR EXCELLENCE

CLASS IN THE DESERT
And on the screen
*Notes about Matthew and Woody below

    Since our move to California Cambria friends have sung the praises of the Indian Wells Tennis tournament in the southern California desert. Now we understand.

     A remarkable tennis oasis and "theatre." Stadium 1 is new.

   Stadium 2

   and several smaller stadiums, all blessed with stunning views.

  A complex of practice courts put you up close and personal

with the game's stars.

   Below Australian Open Champ, and number 3 in the world Stan Wawrinka tunes up.

   The close access to the game's headliners is a benefit of Indian Wells.

  Amenities abound in the Tennis Garden.

  The great thrill for fans is of course the action on the court. Roger Federer, on left below, is one of the game's all time greatest. 

   I've covered Presidents, rock stars, other major sports heroes. I was thrilled to see Fed.

   As impressive as Rafa Nadal is on television, he is even more so live and in person.

  Alexandra Wozniak

  Maria Sharapova and up and comer Camile Giorgi. Etc, Etc, etc...

    Among all of the sports, tennis fans are special.  Polite, cheering good play as well as their favorite.  Here it is 88-90 degrees, blazing desert sun and the stadium is full. 

   And since this is the desert a full day of tennis may well be capped by a dip, 

   and a cool drink and dinner.

  Many such oasis abound. A kind of desert survival.

ONE OF THE BEST 

   Much has been said of the noir HBO thriller True Detective as critics and fans have blown the doors off joint with praise and acclaim. As I've noted, it is not for everyone, but the Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson performances are without peer. And their "partnership" maybe the greatest on any screen. It is one of those rare moments when two excellent actors hit a zone and then construct an onscreen chemistry that will become legend.  I'm sorry the series has ended. They were nothing short of brilliant.

   See you down the trail.