khandor’s sports blog

Unfortunately, far too many people in this world think that “the very best” at a particular occupation MUST BE those who are actually getting paid the highest salaries to fulfill that specific function at a “pro” level.

Well … the simple fact is:

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The Good Ward Giveth: A former Knicks’ post-basketball odyssey

This fall will mark Ward’s fifth with the Wildcats (and his fourth as Head Coach), a position he took after leaving his post with the Houston Rockets, with whom he’d been an assistant since retiring from the NBA in 2004 . Despite a number of other job offers from around the league, Ward decided instead to take on the dual role of Assistant Football and Basketball Coach at Westbury, a 500 student K-12 Christian school in Houston.  Surely, the opportunity to spend more time with his family, and to watch his young children grow up, were motivating factors. But the chance to lead again was anything but a distant second.

“I wanted to have a more hands-on experience,” explains Ward in his characteristically even, calm Southern drawl. “I wanted the chance to put game plans together, implement those game plans, and really mentor kids. Those are the main reasons I am where I am today. That’s my focus.”

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in many instances this just not the case, at all.

REALITY IS …

Highly accomplished individuals the world over can – and, frequently, do – decide to ply their chosen trade, and exert their considerable influence, at many different levels of “the game,” whether in sport, education, or industry, etc.

Kudos to Charlie Ward! … for doing precisely what he happens to think is “right” at this particular time in his life.

59-59 … in the 5th and final set, at Wimbledon!

When two competitors absolutely refuse to quit …

there is nothing else to be said, but to echo the words and sentiments of an all-time great tennis champion watching in utter amazement:

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Longest match in history suspended

“I have almost no words anymore watching this,” defending champion Roger Federer said. “It’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen and could imagine. I don’t know how their bodies must feel the next day, the next week, the next month. This is incredible tennis. For them to serve the aces they served and stay there mentally is a heroic effort.

“As we know, we have no draws in tennis, so there will be a loser. But I guess in this match, both will be winners because this is just absolutely amazing,” he said.

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In fact …

The earthquake which registered 5.0 on the Richter Scale and just rumbled through Central Ontario and Quebec, for one of the few times in the last 100 years … without any major damage being done to speak of, at least, according to what’s been reported, so far … simply pales in comparison.

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PS. Although the sight of the walls shaking around me and the floor moving [physically] beneath my feet, for a span of about 10-15 seconds, was a most unusual event to be sure. 

Francesca Schiavone gives one of the great interviews of all-time …

and, then …

The unlikeliest champion: 17th seed Schiavone wins French Open

Francesca Schiavone‘s cheering section at Saturday’s French Open final wore matching black t-shirts with the phrase “Nothing Is Impossible.” The 29-year old Italian proved it today at Roland Garros.

In one of the most unexpected Grand Slam victories in recent tennis history, Schiavone won the French Open today with a rousing 6-4, 7-6 victory over No. 7 seed Sam Stosur. She became the first Italian to ever win a Grand Slam and the second-oldest ever first time Grand Slam champion.

Prior to this tournament, Schiavone had never made it to a Slam semifinal and had played her way into just three quarterfinals in her previous 39 majors. But with her wicked slice, new racquet strings and a varied strategy to combat Stosur’s big serve, Schiavone pulled the upset over the woman who had knocked off three former No. 1s (Serena Williams, Justine Henin, Jelena Jankovic) en route to the final.

wins the 2010 Fench Open!

The stuff of which childhood dreams are made.

On the doorstep of making history in his sport, a great champion puts everything he has into his efforts to tie an all-time record of achievement …

There is no shame in coming up short when you’ve been to the mountaintop as many times as Roger Federer has in his career to-date.

The highest commendations possible to both he and, 2009 Australian Open Men’s Champion, Raffael Nadal.

#14 will just have to wait for another day.

and …

 Fortes fortuna adiuvat.
- Virgil (Aeneid, Roman epic poet, 70 BC – 19 BC)

Courtesy of the Whole Garden Will Bow

Have you stopped giggling yet?