This week we went from no tennis to all tennis. It has been an immersive experience for those of us living on the U.S.'s east coast. We could get up and watch the men in Doha in the morning, the Hopman Cup from Perth during the afternoon, and finish the day with the women in Brisbane. Today I set my alarm for 4:00 A.M. to catch some more of the latter, where Serena Williams was set to face Victoria Azarenka in the year’s first official showdown on either tour. It was all for nought, however, as Vika pulled out with a toe injury—a “bad pedicure” was the apparent culprit—so she wouldn’t risk her status for the Australian Open. So far, 2013 is shaping up as the Year of the Precautionary Withdrawal.
Here’s a look at that subject, as well as four others from the season’s first week. I see that another time warning was given in Doha today, to Richard Gasquet. For now, my last word on the subject is: Let’s enforce the rules, with common sense as our guide.