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West Australian
2 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Mitchell Johnson: ‘Big four' rivals turn friends as Rafael Nadal's farewell shows what sport is really about
Tennis' big four were reunited this week for Rafael Nadal's emotional farewell to Roland Garros. There's so much to unpack about these legends of the sport, but one intriguing takeaway for me was Nadal's 'change in perspective' in retirement. The 14-time French Open champion reflected on years of fierce competition with Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, his drive to win grand slams and the quest to be number one. But in retirement, his views on his rivals-turned-friends highlight why athletes truly play sport: even at the highest level of competition, friendships can flourish after all is said and done. The respect that the big four have for each other is heartwarming. Djokovic, the only one of the quartet still active on tour, mentioned that a piece of himself felt missing with Nadal's retirement, and I can relate to that sentiment. When you've battled against the best for so many years, it becomes almost natural to see that person on the other side of the net. Or the other end of the pitch. Watching these four athletes over the years has been nothing short of sensational, despite the challenges each faced with being part of that era of dominance. As fans, we all have favourites among the four, and reminiscing about their careers is a fun exercise. With all at their peak, Federer was my personal favourite to watch. Interestingly, I didn't warm to the Swiss superstar initially because he was gunning for Pete Sampras's spot as number one and I had grown up idolising 'Pistol Pete'. However, over time, I came to appreciate all their greatness, including Nadal's exceptional prowess, particularly on clay. Giving the Spaniard a fitting farewell on his favourite court – complete with a permanent plaque of his footprint - was a testament to the respect he earned from the world of tennis, the fans, fellow players, and everyone fortunate enough to witness a truly dominant career. Nadal has set a bar, especially on clay, which may never be equalled. I grew up watching tennis and my dream was always to play at Wimbledon. My childhood was such an incredible time to watch the sport even before the big four, especially with players like Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, Goran Ivanisevic, Pat Rafter, Jimmy Connors and Stefan Edberg. The late 1980s through the early 2000s was truly memorable, filled with some of the greatest talent in tennis history. While there have been many legends prior to them who did amazing things on the court and inspired many of the players I mentioned, the era of the big four feels particularly special. I often wonder if any of their records will ever be broken. It reminds me of a golden era in cricket when Australia dominated, or how the All Blacks have established themselves in rugby. It's mind-blowing to think that in an individual sport, we witnessed such extraordinary skill and determination from these four players whose domination virtually shut out all other competitors. During their time, the rivalries were intense and there were moments when they clearly didn't like each other. Yet they always delivered brilliant matches filled with strategy, endurance and mental strength. When Nadal bowed out last year, Federer noted in his congratulatory message that Nadal had made him work harder than he ever thought he could just to hold his ground. Each of them constantly pushed the others to improve, whether it was honing a skill, boosting fitness, or finding that extra one per cent to get ahead. The mental game was just as crucial, particularly in grand slam competitions, where it often came down to who was better prepared psychologically. Now, it's as if they've become like siblings, and the respect they have for one another reminds us all that, in the end, sport is a game and entertainment, despite it being something these athletes gave everything to. The friendships they've formed are special, showcasing the camaraderie that can arise from fierce competition. Rating the all-time greats in tennis is so subjective and almost impossible when you try to compare different eras as well as surfaces. So my list is primarily made up of the players I most enjoyed watching and the excitement they brought to the game. Nadal's dominance on clay is unmatched, making every French Open he played a thrilling spectacle. His tenacity and fighting spirit added so much drama to matches. Then there's Federer, whose grace and shot-making ability transformed the way tennis is played. His style and charisma on and off the court made him a joy to watch. Djokovic is another player who deserves recognition for his unique combination of incredible defence and mental toughness. His battles with both Nadal and Federer produced some unforgettable moments. And let's not forget Murray, whose determination and skill have often been overshadowed but who consistently brought intense competition, especially during his peak years before injury got the better of him. All four have distinct qualities that make them legendary, and while their statistics may place them high on many lists, it's really the emotional connection and enjoyment they brought to fans that resonates the most with me. It's the memories they left us with of those intense rivalries and unforgettable matches, along with their growth as individuals and athletes, that truly make them all-time greats in my eyes. Roger Federer Pete Sampras Martina Hingis Stefan Edberg Goran Ivanisevic Michael Chang Monica Seles Rafael Nadal Ivan Lendl Pat Rafter
Otago Daily Times
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Came for a brisk visit, but found home
It was the infamous All Blacks defeat at the 1999 Rugby World Cup against the French that inspired American artist Robin Brisker to move to New Zealand at the start of the new millennium. Not exactly, but it was while watching the game from an Amsterdam pub that reminded Mr Brisker that of all the countries he had explored, and there were many, New Zealand was untouched. "I had never seen rugby before and that was entertaining. I was watching and I was like; 'what's that? What's a knock-on?' I got addicted to it." Until he moved to Wanaka in 2000, the 71-year-old had not lived in a place for any longer than five years, it was his general rule of thumb. Born in Chicago and raised all over the United States, Brisker learned at a young age to adapt to any environment and with very little. "I was in 12 schools in 12 years ... The first move was devastating then you realise it teaches you to adapt, and you can be more independent than you think." "I have had 70 addresses [across] 10 countries." While he has worked in about every job you can think of; a meat packer in Detroit, busker in Munich, juggler in Adelaide, chauffeur in Mexico — his one constant has been art, he has been doing it all along. "I illustrated my high school yearbook in 1972, so that's when I first got published." Since then, he has been selling art throughout the world. He owned his own gallery in Chicago, again in Florida and sold a painting of a watermelon to Madonna while working in a health spa in Mexico. His work has been collected by Miles Davis, Madonna, Jamie Wyeth, Amy Irving and artist's Dan Rizzie and Tony Fitzpatrick. Never in his transient life did he think he would settle, but it was Wānaka that had him sit at a final destination and it was not for its lucrative art scene. "I said this town's got everything, I am going to spend the summer here." That summer turned into 25 more, but it has not been a walk in the park for the artist who would sell paintings in Chicago on the daily for four times the amount he would sell one here. "The prices I was getting in Chicago 25 years ago is still more than what I get today here in New Zealand." "In Wānaka people would rather spend money on a new bike, a pair of boots and ski gear. Art is not a priority, there are tonnes of artists in this town but not nearly enough art appreciators." "I have attempted landscapes, but I don't particularly care for them. Nothing sells good here, everyone I know here has one of my pieces, it is a small town, and they come here not because it's artistic, but it is because it is the beautiful adventure capital." While art success came easy in Chicago, known for its popular art culture, he "never wanted to be anywhere more than five years", so he up and left. Mr Brisker chose Wānaka for safety and the stunning outlook. "I haven't locked my car in 25 years here." "In Chicago I was constantly aware of crime and lived on a street where the sirens were going every second." His story began in Wānaka when he bought three acres of land on Golf Course Rd, and turned a house into a backpackers. The Tree House as he named it, and sold it later for four times the price. He took the opportunity to try sell his art out of Queenstown, but did not like the lifestyle and moved back to buy his Mount Iron property. "This property is the best art I have done, I think. You don't see a neighbour or hear a neighbour, I get to see what I created, I built or planted or designed." Ideally Mr Brisker would run a gallery here, but instead he has planted pieces of art throughout Wānaka venues such as Kai Whakapai, Patagonia and Cork. After spending a third of his life here, Brisker still has a fascination with rugby, but his observations are more artistic than sporting knowledge. "What I love is that they tape around people's ears, to stop themselves having cauliflower ears. I have never seen a sport like that, that's the only protection they have, everything else is a T-shirt and shorts. "Nothing like the American footballers, they are covered head to toe in armour."
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Jake White: Bulls' previous loss to Edinburgh was a ‘blessing'
The Bulls coach said he was grateful his side had no space to feel overconfident as they take on Edinburgh in a URC quarter-final. The Bulls will have no room to feel overconfident after their defeat to Edinburgh during their last encounter, at Hive Stadium. Picture:Bulls director of rugby Jake White said he was thankful his team lost their last match against Edinburgh – the Challenge Cup quarter-final played in Scotland last month. The lessons from that 34–28 defeat at Hive Stadium provide more insight than a victory would have, as the Bulls prepare to face Edinburgh again in their United Rugby Championship quarter-final at Loftus this Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm). The teams clash for the third time this season after the Bulls emerged victorious at Loftus in September (final score 22–16). Head-to-head, Edinburgh have won three of the five games between the sides, though both teams have won every match played at home. Bulls might have been overconfident 'I think what is a blessing for us is we lost to them a couple of weeks ago. I think had we had beaten them there and maybe won easily then maybe there would be a feeling of 'gee, we whacked them or we beat them away',' White said. Had the Bulls done, so they would have made history as the first South African team to beat Edinburgh in Scotland. As it happened, the Sharks took that honour with an 18–17 win thanks to a last-minute try in the URC the next weekend. 'The blessing for us is that we lost to them [Edinburgh], and we gave them a good start. They were 24–7 up at half-time [and then 31–7 after 42 minutes]. So those lessons surely must be as clear as day. We cannot give them a 24–7 start and we can't just believe that we will beat them because they beat us the last time that we played.' When it comes to fast starts, however, the Bulls have led the way with 29 tries in the first 20 minutes this competition. But when asked about it, White said there is no magic formula and largely out of his hands. Edinburgh have top internationals who 'don't go away' White said Edinburgh were perhaps not a side that drew attention from world media but they probably have mroe international players than the Bulls do. 'I don't ever want you to ever underestimate the value an international cap does for a player. You look at how our players have grown. When you look at a guy like Ruan Nortje, when he got here compared to now. 'When you've played the All Blacks twice and beaten the All Blacks as a Springbok you must become a better provincial rugby player. It just happens like that.' White made mention of the extensive budget Edinburgh possess, making it one of the wealthiest clubs in the world. 'They have lots of British & Irish Lions players in that squad as well. There is no doubt that a person who plays for the British & Irish Lions or Scottish rugby… must be a better player than you sometimes give them credit for.' 'The most important thing that they can do is they just don't go away. It's not just against us, it's any games that they have played – they stay in the fight. This is a 'very different' play-off for Jake White White also drew attention to the growth of his players since their first URC campaign in 2021/22. They reached the final of that tournament, losing to the Stormers in Cape Town. They followed that up with a quarter-final exit in 2023 before reaching the final again last year, and losing to Glasgow at Loftus. 'I've done this many times, and I'm not saying this in an arrogant way, I've been lucky enough to experience these feelings of playing knockout games in different competitions. 'It's very different, this one. Because this group of players has exceeded expectations early on.' He said they played in their first final when the average age was about 23. 'I get the feeling we are maturing as a group.' He said while Willie le Roux joined the side to add experience, players such as Johan Grobbelaar, Ruan Nortje and Simphiwe Matanzima had clearly matured and developed their games. 'I feel the vibe is different. I feel the lessons they learnt are a lot more meaningful now because they've played together a lot more.'
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Fabian Holland has All Blacks dream within reach after Highlanders lock re-signs
Highlanders lock Fabian Holland is in line for his maiden All Blacks call up. Photo / Photosport Fabian Holland is on the cusp of completing his Netherlands-to-the-black-jersey dream. Since shifting to New Zealand as a teenager to pursue his childhood desire to play professional rugby, Holland has donned two black jerseys. The first for the NZ under-20s, the second with the All Blacks
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
McCaw uplifts young rugby fans
He has lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy twice and more silverware than you can count, but bringing smiles to Wānaka's biggest rugby fans gives Richie McCaw a sky-high feeling. The former All Black captain was the pilot of a memorable flight for four of Wānaka's people with disabilities from the Mint Charitable Trust yesterday morning. McCaw flew All Blacks fans Eli Larose, 14, Ewan Little, 22, Lachlan Davison, 19, and Reuben Beston, 14, to the top of Coromandel Peak to chuck around a rugby ball at 1200m. "This is the first time I have done something like this with the helicopter," McCaw said. "With me being based down here now, they asked if I could come [and] take the team for a ride and I am more than happy to do that. "Over the years I have done a few things like this [charitable causes] to give people a smile. "It is amazing that with a little bit of a time out of your day, you can make a difference." McCaw and his wife Gemma, along with their three daughters, moved to Upper Clutha from Christchurch at the end of last year. Mr Davison said he had been in a helicopter before, but never with McCaw. He was a huge All Blacks fan and said it felt "pretty cool" to have him as his pilot. Reuben said he was excited to say hello to his biggest rugby hero, and new local celebrity. "I have seen him at the supermarket, but I have never said hi to him — I was too scared. "He is my favourite All Black." McCaw said he had not been flying as frequently as he would like, but would not mind getting back in the cockpit. "I have been doing a little bit less lately as I have been getting myself sorted down here. "I am keen to keep flying so I am still working that one out." He had taken his children in the helicopter a few times. "The first time I took them up they all fell asleep — the vibrations put them to sleep." Yesterday morning's flight was a rewarding one for everyone. "Whether you're flying or whatever, when kids get excited doing whatever it is, it's great. "There are obviously a couple of excited fellas here, and they love the Crusaders." He and the family were enjoying the change of pace and environment in the South. "We have holidayed here for a long time. "With all the outdoors ... the kids have a bit of space [and] it suits us well." The flight was organised by charity Uplift in Kind which aims to brings hope and joy to children and families facing illness or hardship by giving them the unforgettable experience of flight. With the support of aviation partner Wānaka Helicopters, the flight was all fee free for parents and children.
