Analysis. History. Perspective.

Sports Then and Now



Great Competitors In Women’s Tennis History 1

Posted on December 08, 2009 by Claudia Celestial Girl
Women's Tennis history is filled with great competitors.

Women's Tennis history is filled with great competitors.

In your face. Pushy. Mentally strong. Competitive. These are not your usual adjectives for describing ‘Ladies.’

Gracious and elegant; cute, classy, and tenacious. These are more common ways Lady competitors are described.

And yet, one of the reasons that we love to watch tennis is that very basic, visceral psychological aspects of life, play themselves out in 1-2 hours on the tennis court.

This article is meant to be complementary to Rob York’s presentation of the top five male competitors click here.

In his piece, York suggested that great competitors brought something of mental strength, focus, or force of will over and above their physical abilities to achieve the victory.

This article is a presentation of the top five Ladies’ Competitors. I mean those who, like their male counterparts, show you their will to win, their audacity, their indomitable spirit; something about the Human Condition.

As a theme song for this feature, I’ve selected “Take This Job and Shove It (I Ain’t Workin’ Here no More).” This is a humorous song that underscores a core, basic, fighting spirit, that is part of what a true competitor brings to the contest.

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Women’s Tennis: Hear Them Roar 15

Posted on August 05, 2009 by JA Allen
If you are going to watch Michelle Larcher de Brito play tennis, then you better not forget your ear plugs.

If you are going to watch Michelle Larcher de Brito play tennis, then you better not forget your ear plugs.

According to her detractors, while playing, 16-year-old Michelle Larcher de Brito of Portugal emits full-bodied screams that register 109 decibels or the noise level of a racing car revving to full speed.

During the 2009 French open, Aravane Rezai complained to the umpire about the noise emitting from the teenage Portuguese girl.

Larcher de Brito was so loud at the French Open that the crowds there booed her. Well, you know the French—it takes a great deal for them to turn on a fine looking female!

The full impact of her noise level focused the media once again on the issue of grunting because Larcher de Brito was really bellowing. She makes no apologies saying, in effect, “get over it!”

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  • Vintage Athlete of the Month

    • Harold Jackson: Unsung Star WR
      December 12, 2024 | 4:24 pm

      The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month is one of the most underappreciated wide receivers in NFL history, despite boasting a career that spanned 16 seasons and saw him excel as one of the league’s premier deep threats. Known for his speed, route-running, and ability to make plays downfield, Harold Jackson left an indelible mark on the game during an era that was not yet pass-heavy. Standing at 5’10” and weighing 175 pounds, he defied expectations of size to become a dominant force on the field. Over the course of his illustrious career (1968–1983), Jackson totaled 10,372 receiving yards and 76 touchdowns, placing him among the top receivers of his time.

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