By JOHN MARTIN PARIS—As the French Open moves into its final weekend, its top officials are claiming near total suppression of illegal ticket sales. After decades of arresting scalpers on the streets and skirmishing with them more recently in cyberspace, victory appears in sight. “I think you can’t say you […]
By JOHN MARTIN PARIS – The French Tennis Federation has begun modernizing Roland Garros, the 92-year-old sanctuary of racquet combat that hosts the world’s only Grand Slam tennis championship fought on clay. Old sculptures have vanished and new buildings appeared, but one legendary player remains stitched to the fabric of […]
By JOHN MARTIN MELBOURNE, Australia – Each morning at the Australian Open, a ritual unfolds in a brightly lit corridor at the edge of Rod Laver Arena,. About 20 men form an uneven line. Their shirts shout “SECURITY” in bold white letters across their backs. Shortly before 11, the line […]
By JOHN MARTIN SAN DIEGO – In late December, Russell Geyser, a wealthy Southern California real estate developer turned Hollywood movie producer, bought the Sportimes, a World Team Tennis franchise based in New York. The deal took place after an unusual telephone call from a close friend. “My best buddy,” […]
By JOHN MARTIN WIMBLEDON, England — Lucas Gómez, the Mexican national junior tennis champion, was humbled at the French Open in early June. He was beaten, 6-1, 6-0, in the third round of the junior tournament by second-seeded Nikola Milojevic of Serbia after expressing strong belief in his ability to […]
