Brian Stewart
Feb 11th, 2004, 06:26 AM
In answer to the requests of thousands (Joe Thousands, who owns the corner video store), Strikethrough Theatre makes its triumphant(?) return. Take your seats quickly, as the curtain is going up on
STRIKETHROUGH THEATRE : OZ 2004 EDITION
Well, the 2004 tennis season is underway, and, as usual, there are many questions to be answered. First, a tip of the hat to the 2004 Australian Open champion, Justine Henin-Hardenne. With each slam she wins, more and more fans are pissed off impressed by her tenacity. But how about the rest of the players? Who will finish the season at all #1? There figures to be a tough fight for every hospital bed ranking point.
With her showing "Down Under", Kim has demonstrated she can win everywhere but the slams. Amelie showed flashes of her old form by withdrawing from reaching the quarters. And we saw plenty of evidence that the linespeople could be replaced by Stevie Wonder, with no discernable change in effectiveness benefit from electronic assistance.
Many other players will be looking to make their mark in 2004. Can Lindsay continue the recent form that saw her lose to everyone seeded above her capture the title in Tokyo? Will Anastasia get more recognition for what she does with her clothes on on court every week? Will Elena have a serve that actually goes back in time big result in a slam? Will Ai continue to be virtually ignored by the writers post good results? Can rising young star Maria Sharapova make some noise at Wimbledon by becoming "Persona Non Grunta" with the AEC going deep in the draw?
And what about our "wounded warriors"? Can Serena find her way back to the court top? And many forget that it was just a couple of years ago that Venus paved the way for Janet Jackson her little sister.
Will Jen be able to get back on coarse course for slam contention when she returns? And speaking of returns, a successful one will be important for Chanda, as she has yet to injure her left pinkie fulfill her potential. And speaking of unfulfilled potential, when will Anna Kournikova return? Anna is regarded as something of a trailblazer, as she is largely credited with starting a trend that is now considered commonplace: the combination of Russians and poor serves glamour and tennis.
These and many more questions will only be answered as the year unfolds. And we, the tennis fans, will be there every step of the way, hoping our faves have a "wardrobe malfunction" good season.
STRIKETHROUGH THEATRE : OZ 2004 EDITION
Well, the 2004 tennis season is underway, and, as usual, there are many questions to be answered. First, a tip of the hat to the 2004 Australian Open champion, Justine Henin-Hardenne. With each slam she wins, more and more fans are pissed off impressed by her tenacity. But how about the rest of the players? Who will finish the season at all #1? There figures to be a tough fight for every hospital bed ranking point.
With her showing "Down Under", Kim has demonstrated she can win everywhere but the slams. Amelie showed flashes of her old form by withdrawing from reaching the quarters. And we saw plenty of evidence that the linespeople could be replaced by Stevie Wonder, with no discernable change in effectiveness benefit from electronic assistance.
Many other players will be looking to make their mark in 2004. Can Lindsay continue the recent form that saw her lose to everyone seeded above her capture the title in Tokyo? Will Anastasia get more recognition for what she does with her clothes on on court every week? Will Elena have a serve that actually goes back in time big result in a slam? Will Ai continue to be virtually ignored by the writers post good results? Can rising young star Maria Sharapova make some noise at Wimbledon by becoming "Persona Non Grunta" with the AEC going deep in the draw?
And what about our "wounded warriors"? Can Serena find her way back to the court top? And many forget that it was just a couple of years ago that Venus paved the way for Janet Jackson her little sister.
Will Jen be able to get back on coarse course for slam contention when she returns? And speaking of returns, a successful one will be important for Chanda, as she has yet to injure her left pinkie fulfill her potential. And speaking of unfulfilled potential, when will Anna Kournikova return? Anna is regarded as something of a trailblazer, as she is largely credited with starting a trend that is now considered commonplace: the combination of Russians and poor serves glamour and tennis.
These and many more questions will only be answered as the year unfolds. And we, the tennis fans, will be there every step of the way, hoping our faves have a "wardrobe malfunction" good season.