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Journalism of Courage
Coach feels Lindsay8217;s a sure bet
Before the Championships, the odds were posted at 15-1 that reigning US Open queen Lindsay Davenport would win the Championships. Davenport reports her coach, former player Robert Van8217;t Hof, believes she8217;s such a sure bet he contemplated taking the gamble, telling her, 8220;I8217;m going to put a 1000 pounds on that those are great odds.8221;
Although the 23-year-old Davenport claims Van8217;t Hof never placed the bet it8217;s not exactly proper etiquette to place bets on your own team it would8217;ve been a money-making proposition.
Instead of hedging bets in public betting parlours, the No 2-ranked Davenport concentrates on beating the odds on-court. Putting one8217;s money on Davenport to reach the finals seems like a smart wager. She next faces a qualifier, Alexandra Stevenson. Despite the semi-final match, there8217;s actually another match that Davenport is eager to play. Teamed with doubles expert Todd Woodbridge, she faces the dynamic pairing of John McEnroe and Steffi Graf.
8220;Ican8217;t wait,8221; said Davenport, grinning. 8220;It will be really fun probably the most fun match I8217;ll play at Wimbledon with the crowd and just to play against McEnroe he8217;s a legend that I8217;ve never gotten a chance to play against.8221;
Steffi prefers cards on a rainy day
The secret is out. Steffi Graf, seven-time Wimbledon champion, divulged the key for players to keep their concentration, and sanity, during long rain delays. Many would say the most important thing is to speak to the coach, eat healthily, and keep training. No 2 seed Graf, of Germany, proclaims, 8220;I think it8217;s much more important that you have a stack of cards and the right players to play cards with.8221;
Graf, the world No. 3, apparently did not find the right8217; players, as she did not do very well in the card games she played Wednesday. However, the losing trend didn8217;t continue on to the tennis court.
