The Roman Games

Recently, I returned from the games of Rome. No, not gladiators of the Colosseum, rather, the tennis gladiators of the Foro Italico in Rome. The complex is located in the northern part of Rome, located just north of Vatican City. There are three main stadiums at the venue with 18 clay courts, nine of which that are used for the “Italian Open.”
Recently, student texted me at 5 am to let me know Sasha Zverev, a Russian, from Germany had just won the final. I happy for Sasha, he’s come back from injury and doing well. To win consistently on the Mediterranean Red Clay Series as I call it (Estoril, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, and Rome).
Estoril is located on the Portuguese Riviera and Madrid is in the middle of Spain but they get a pass as “close enough” in my book to be included in the Mediterranean Series.

Final Score of this first round match
4-6, 6-3,6-4 Rafael Nadel defeated Zizou Bergs of Belgium
These are the highlight videos I filmed. In my opinion Zizou went for some down the line shots on key points that he missed which tipped the match. Otherwise, he played very well. Rafa, was in good form with movement and hit helicopter and buggy whip forehands the whole match which kick quite high with pace. Also his backhand is very consistent and drives well. In addition Rafa plays the net extremely well covering touch shots, volleys and overheads. I hope we see him at the French. It could be his last event of his career. I feel blessed to have seen him play as did the 10,000 tennis fans who sat with me. He is truly loved in Italy. Bergs occasionally raised his arms to cheer for him when he made a great shot which the Italian dominated crowd were happy to oblige.

A Saint with a Coon Hound?