Welcome to On The Line!
This website explores the multi-faceted world of tennis. You will find a wealth of material
ranging from light-hearted satire to motivational coaching tips, from eyebrow-raising quotes to
controversial comment, from challenging quiz questions to droll humour.
The site presents topics as wide-ranging as the introduction of electronic line-calling systems,
match-rigging, Andre Agassi's legacy, the demise of serve-and-volley and the Flying Spaghetti Monster!
The popular catalogue of quotes is expanding all the time and you will find well over a hundred
practical pointers and tips to help you develop your own game. There are also interactive quizzes and
games to help you while away a leisurely hour or two.
Over time, new articles and material will be added. You are encouraged to voice your reaction to
the articles you read in the Talking Points area.
Can Wimbledon keep a lid on night sessions?
Sporting insomniacs should not despair when they hear Ian Ritchie dismiss the notion of
separately ticketed night matches. As sure as grass is green, they will come. And the
All England Club will not lose any sleep over it.
Can the symbolism of the Olympic torch resonate beyond the Chinese walls?
Chinese censorship, Western vested interests and media bias all threaten to add smokescreen to smog
in Beijing this summer.
Mirza falls foul of the "tall poppy" syndrome
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Sania Mirza
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What we're witnessing in respect of Sania Mirza may well be a manifestation of the "tall
poppy" syndrome, whereby a Muslim woman with the temerity to rise above her station and become
not only a highly successful international athlete but also a highly popular youth icon is
summarily chopped down.
Timeout error!
In the final round of qualifying for this year's Australian Open, Britain's Jamie Baker had the
misfortune to come up against Daniel Kollerer, whose boorish behaviour has blighted many a sporting
encounter on the Challenger circuit. At 4-4 in the second set, the 25-year-old Austrian served a
double fault. With Baker pumped up and focused on the crucial break point which would leave him,
should he manage to convert it, serving for a coveted place in the main draw, Kollerer marched to
his chair demanding to see the trainer. Baker was then left cooling his ardour during an eight minute
injury timeout...
Being CEO means never having to say you're sorry?
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Nikolay Davydenko
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Given that the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) was formed to protect the interests of
male professional tennis players, and given that Etienne de Villiers, the current chief executive,
is frequently heard stressing the importance of marketing the top players, it seems curious to witness
the governing body become an accessory to the character assassination of one of the tour's leading players.
Appearance money devalues sport
No one would begrudge the world's best players the right to earn what their market value
dictates, but there is an increasing perception that under-the-table appearance fees or
guarantees are beginning to warp the integrity of sporting commitment.
More . . .
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Copyright notice
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You may reproduce material from this website, subject to the following
limitations:
1. It must be reproduced without variation.
2. There must be a link back to this site.
3. There must be a copyright notice crediting the author.
Website author: Dave Winship
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COACH'S CAVE
Is your backhand out of sorts? Is your serve looking run-down and
in need of a tonic? Enter Coach's Cave where
you can click on questions previous explorers left behind! Take a
torch and a racket!
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LAUGHTER LABYRINTH
Sidespin:
Funny snips of conversation from Upper Gummtrey Tennis Club. Here's
a short sample:
Stuart: We're in a spot of bother here, Jez.
Jez: Do you think they've cottoned on to our signals?
Stuart: Oh yes.
Jez: So they know exactly where I'm going to serve?
Stuart: Oh yes. But it's worse than that.
Jez: Worse?
Stuart: They couldn't care less where you serve.
Junk shots:
A quirky and satirical view of the world of tennis.
Off The Frame:
It goes where no other tennis story has ever gone before - sideways.
It's half story, half parody, and half something else entirely.
One reviewer described it as "an enthralling juxtaposition of the sublime
and the mundane", but we didn't understand a word of it, so we commissioned
another reviewer, who said it was "definitely the product of an addled brain".
Frankly, we won't be asking her to review anything again. We think it's just
a sketchy story interspersed with a few corny gags, but you'll just have to
make up your own minds!
You'll find more in the same vein in the
Laughter Labyrinth. We hope you find a way out.
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FEATURED PLAYER
Our current featured player is Nikolay Davydenko, whose
resurgence in the wake of atrocious treatment at the hands of the ATP has been the rousing
sub-plot of the men's tour so far this year. The speedy Russian has responded to the ruling
body's finger of suspicion with the proverbial two fingers of his own, romping to victory
over Rafael Nadal in the final of the Miami Masters.
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QUIZ
Who is this? It's just one question in the latest quiz.
It's not too difficult. We refuse to be impressed unless you score more than 7!
If you've not visited here before, try out the past quizzes - numbers
1 to 57 are still all there.
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