Bucket List of Sports

Writers at Sports Illustrated shared their “bucket list” of sports events – events they want to see before they die. That inspired me to share my own list.

I’m proud to say I’ve witnessed several exciting sports events in my life – White Sox-Mariners playoff game in 2000; the memorable “black-out” play-in game between the White Sox and Minnesota Twins last October; the 2006 World Figure Skating championships in Calgary; 2008 and 2009 national figure skating championships in St. Paul, Minn., and Cleveland; and the second round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the United Center in 2007. But there’s plenty more I want to see.

1. Kentucky Derby – Mint julep, anyone? I love a good horse race, and while I’ve been to Arlington Park Race course in suburban Chicago, it probably doesn’t compare to the tradition and excitement of the Derby.

2. Baseball World Series – I missed the opportunity to watch the White Sox in the 2005 Series, but I’m hoping for another chance.

3. Wimbledon – I watched a women’s pro tournament at the UIC Pavillion in the mid-90s, including Venus and Serena in a doubles match when they were mere teenagers. If I’m going to see a pro tournament, it might as well be the grandaddy of them all – Wimbledon.

4. NHL playoffs – With the Blackhawks reaching the Western Conference finals in the playoffs this year, my love of hockey has been reignited. With their young, talented team, there is no reason why the Hawks shouldn’t make a return trip to the playoffs over the next few seasons. The trick will be to get my hands on what is sure to be the hottest show in town.

5. Michael Phelps – As long as he continues to swim competitively, my desire to see him compete is alive and well.

6. Olympics in Chicago – If Chicago is named the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games, I will have a smorgasbord of events to choose from – diving, rowing, gymnastics, basketball. Even better would be to attend the opening ceremonies and the parade of nations.

7. Chicago Fire or Red Stars soccer – The Fire and Red Stars are Chicago’s two pro soccer teams (men’s and women’s soccer, respectively). I watched some soccer while attending a small college. The team was one of the best in the nation, having won eight NAIA titles in 13 seasons. I’m eager to see the Fire and Red Stars at Toyota Park.

8. WNBA – Rumor has it the WNBA is struggling and could be the next league to fold after the Arena Football League suspended operations last week. If that’s the case, then I should check out the improved Chicago Sky this season. Runner up: NBA playoff game featuring the Bulls. Again finding a ticket for the pro game is tricky.

9. Snowboarding – I was fascinated watching the snowboarding competition during the 2006 Torino Olympics on TV. These guys and gals look like they’re having a blast, and it must be even more fun to watch them in person.

10. Gymnastics – When I was in high school, I had to learn to do a routine on the balance beam and uneven parallel bars, and I’m not athletically inclined. I have a tremendous appreciation for what these young men and women do on these apparatuses.

Federer-Nadal Rivalry Intensifies

Roger Federer may have won his fifth straight Wimbledon title yesterday, but it took five sets to do it, thanks to the aggressive play of his opponent and top rival, Rafael Nadal. After Nadal won the second set, I sensed that a possible upset was in the making. Federer grabbed the third set after winning the tie breaker. Then Nadal took the fourth set by breaking Federer’s serve twice. Nadal nearly broke Federer’s serve twice more in the fifth set, and if he had, he might have been holding the Wimbledon trophy.

Throughout the telecast on NBC, John McEnroe observed that the match was a test of the heart and the head, not always about physical ability or talent. Clearly, both players were tested. In Federer’s case, Nadal’s strong and consistent play nearly pushed the four-time Wimbledon champ to the brink, and there were times you could tell he was beginning to doubt himself. Nadal had him at break point a couple of times during the fifth set, but Federer came back to both times to win the point. That showed the heart of a champion. Once he passed those critical points in the match, Federer put Nadal away in dominating fashion.

In Nadal's case, the Spaniard had a drive, determination and focus to win Wimbledon for the first time. After getting medical attention for a knee injury at the beginning of the fourth set, Nadal walked gingerly around the court and couldn't complete some of his serves. You sensed that maybe he was beginning to doubt his ability to finish the set. But he quickly recovered and regained his momentum to win the fourth set.

The men’s Wimbledon final was one of the most fascinating sports events I’ve watched in a long time, not just for the showcase of physical ability but the drama and competitive intensity between two highly talented players who have a lot of respect for one another. Federer is clearly still number one, but Nadal is getting closer – and Federer knows it.

Venus Returns to Victorious Form

Age and injury have taken their toll on Venus and Serena Williams over the past few years. So it was really nice to see Venus advancing to the Wimbledon finals today. She'll face a relative unknown, Marion Bartoli of France who upset top-ranked Justine Henin.

Win or lose tomorrow, Venus's success at Wimbledon and her sister Serena's victory at the Australian Open last January signals a return to form to the dynamic tennis duo. Injuries have kept them out of the tennis spotlight the past few years and in their absence, no American woman has really stepped forward to compete with the likes of Henin and Sharapova on the international level.

Watching Venus today, I have to believe that many tennis fans actually missed seeing her and Serena at the Grand Slam competitions, and in fact, how much this sport needs them. Current top players like Henin and Sharapova are more refined and polite, while Venus and Serena can be brash and controversial. But love them or hate them, they bring a lot of life to the sport.

Coaching Changes for Federer, Hewitt

With the French Open set to begin in less than two weeks, world number one Roger Federer announced on his Web site that he split with his part-time coach Tony Roche, citing communication problems. The decision follows several weeks of poor play by the Swiss champion who has participated in four tournaments without winning a title.

For the time being, Federer says he plans to go it alone at the French Open and Wimbledon. “I’m not going to take a coach because I know what it takes to win,” he said. “I don’t want anyone interfering with my preparation.”

In the meantime, Roche may soon land himself another coaching job, this time with former world number one and fellow Australian Lleyton Hewitt, according to Hewitt’s manager, David Drysdale in a Reuters’ article. Hewitt has been without a coach since Roger Rasheed quit in January before the Australian Open. He has struggled with his form this season and is recovering from a back injury. Hewitt, who was the world number one for 80 weeks from 2001 to 2003 has not won a grand slam title in five years and is currently ranked 22nd.

Equal Pay for Wimbledon Champions

Wimbledon is finally entering the 21st Century. Starting this year, the men’s and ladies’ champions will receive equal prize money. In addition, equal prize money will be offered for all events and in all stages of competition. Wimbledon joins the Australian and U.S. Opens in their equal pay policy. The French Open remains as the only Grand Slam tournament that does not offer equal pay throughout all stages of competition, although the winners do receive pay equity.

The debate over pay equity has been going on for years. Tournament officials argued that the men play a best-of-five set while the women play the best-of-three therefore the men provide better value in terms of competition. Naturally, the news was well received by top players such as Venus Williams. “I applaud today’s decision by Wimbledon, which recognizes the value of women’s tennis,” she told Reuters.

This is yet another old-age Wimbledon policy that has been eliminated. Four years ago, players were excused from having to bow or curtsy to the Royal Family at Center Court.