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Mornin', everyone. This flu has really KO'd me and I'm in the fourth day and still struggling. I wasn't able to do the latest podcast, and I'm behind on some stuff I need to do for the magazine on deadline, including a story I'm doing with Andre Agassi on his book, Open. And just in case I got to thinking it couldn't get worse, Con Ed is digging up the sidewalk in front of our apartment building, using a giant wet-saw. Boy, is this irritating.

Most of you saw the news that Victoria Azarenka and Antonio van Grinchen have parted ways. I don't know the details, but my suspicion is that Azarenka has had trouble adapting to her newfound success and celebrity, and option A in such cases is to always find someone to blame. And in that game, the coach is target No. 1. I feel bad for the 'Grinch, especially because of the unfortunate seasonal connotations of his newly bestowed nickname (anything for a good headline, right?).

I'm going to try to talk with Antonio sometime in the near future to get the story - or that part of which that he's willing to share. Trashing a former protege, of course, can be career suicide for a coach, no matter how accurate or well-earned the characterization. And Antonio is just too nice a guy to go running around badmouthing a girl who's obviously ill-equipped to handle her status. You remember how the book on Azarenka always was that if you were patient, and hung in there with her, she'd melt down?

You also may remember that a few times in the past year I wrote about Adidas-backed coach Sven Groeneveld's determination to "professionalize" coaching - creating an official organization or registry exclusively for pro-tour level coaches. Although I'm sure the 'Grinch will be fine, he's suddenly no more a part of the "official" tennis community - tournaments, players, sponsors, even the media - than the average guy in the street. If he wanted to attend an event, he wouldn't even get a credential without having to work his contacts and call in a few favors. And that's just plain wrong, although properly vetting coaches would certainly pose some problems.

Anyway, I just filed a post for ESPN, on my year-end ATP and WTA nominations for Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, etc., etc. Azarenka, ironically, was an outside shot to take Most Disappointing Female. That post should go live soon. I'm not sure what Jackie-oh has planned for later, but depending on how I feel, I may drop in at the Deuce Club post.

-- Pete