Andy Ritchie: How early rises got me hooked on tennis for the first time

Let’s call it the ‘newness of discovery’.

I am a sports fan but, for some reason, tennis was never really in my top five. All that has changed this past week or so as I have been glued to the Australian Open and the contest for the men’s singles title in particular.

Like a lot of things, such as debt and love, you can just fall into it – and mine started with the early morning stuff.

Even in my playing days, I was a light sleeper. (Especially out on the park, I hear you shout!) However, in my retiring years, I find I don’t really grab too many hours of kip and, thus, I’m up early in the morning.

Like most of you in the first stirrings of the day, I go to the kettle, brew a pot of tea and then get my bahookie down on the sofa before turning the box on.

I tuned into the tennis, as it was live, and now I’m hooked.

I find myself fascinated by these new young blades such as Shelton, De Minaur, Sinner and Alcaraz.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner lead the new breed of men’s tennis superstars. (Image: Jon Buckle/PA Wire)

They tell me football is a different game from my day, as it’s all about athleticism and body sculpture. And I can see that to an extent, but the tennis guys seem to take that to another level as well from the days of Borg, Connors and McEnroe.

Carlos Alcaraz has it all for me. Supremely fit, a master shot maker and that quality that we all strive for in sport, the daring to try something different – he’s on another planet!

Jannik Sinner is the Real Madrid to his Barcelona. He has all the same qualities as his Spanish rival, but, in my opinion, lacks the personality and that’s what makes their encounters the best in the game.

Fire v Ice.

Novak Djokovic (Image: Shutterstock)

Then there is the creation that is Novak Djokovic. Thirty-eight years of age, a lifetime of tennis behind him and still he is driven to play against guys who were in playgroup when he was baring his teeth out on the court.

It fascinates me as to why he does it. But the man is the supreme competitor.

The physical and psychological profile required for ‘mano-a-mano’ sports like tennis, boxing and golf, is a hardy one.

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz – ‘on another planet’ according to new tennis fan Andy Ritchie. (Image: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

I choose not to include the likes of darts and snooker as I see then more as games rather than sports- and that, by the way, is on the back of my wholesale admiration for the feats of Ronnie O’Sullivan on the green baize.

So now I’m into tennis – although, to be honest, I won’t be sitting up at four in the morning to watch the first round of the Indian Wells Open.

I’m a big-time Charlie when it comes to the sofa-watching. It’s the ‘slams’ for me and nothing else. I believe that’s when players come alive – on the biggest stages.

Andy Ritchie says the new generation of global tennis superstars has got him hooked on the TV coverage of the Australian Open. (Image: George Munro)

So I will be checking out the French and the US Opens later in the year.

And here’s a wee thought. I have never actually been to Wimbledon so, perhaps this is the year the Ritchie budget stretches to the All England Club and a sample of the biggest grass court competition in the world – as well as those strawberries and cream!

Anyone for tennis?

Andy Ritchie: How early rises got me hooked on tennis for the first time

Tags: