Candid Dokic ascends, forgetting about Nadal and a streaker's fate

Jelena Dokic has found her strokes and has been the talk of the grounds in Queensland. AP

Can Jelena Dokic become the dominant player the women's tour is looking for? (And regardless of the answer -- how wonderful is it to see someone who used to be the epitome of misery so thoroughly enjoying herself?)
-- Deborah, Como, N.S.W.

• A few days ago, one of you asked why players such as Lleyton Hewitt stick around past their prime. This question encapsulates one answer: the plots change in a hurry in the sport. A few wins and your entire world view is turned on its head. A week ago Jelena Dokic was a washed-up curiosity, barely in the top 200. Suddenly we're asking (a not unreasonable) question about whether she can fill the WTA vacuum.

No question Dokic has been the week one story. Her play, coupled with her candid remarks about the last few years, have, rightfully, won everyone over. It's hard not to root for her continued ascent. But I think it's a) premature and b) insulting to the current world leaders to anoint her just quite yet.

Actually, this is a comment. I think it is great that the Williams sisters don't talk politics. Sports is supposed to be apolitical. Liberals and Conservatives alike buy tickets, follow matches and root for players or teams. Politics is currently infiltrating every aspect of the entertainment world and, as a minority (Conservative), I have no where that I can go where I am not assaulted for being "ignorant, intolerant, bigoted, etc." I applaud the sisters for not discussing politics.
-- James Parry, Sahuarita, Ariz.

• Tons of responses on this issue, pretty evenly split, virtually all of you making valid points. I was struck by how many of you, like James, essentially said you come to sports for escapist entertainment and don't need politics or real world issues interrupting. Others noted how nice it was that she lives in a country where she owes no one a statement and needs only to please herself. Many of you (like me) were surprised by her silence. This intersection between sports and politics interests me -- and clearly many of you -- so let's remind ourselves to discuss at greater length another time.

I still say it's disappointing that Venus -- again, a thoughtful, mature presence who has used her platform in the past -- couldn't make a more substantive statement. And it was particularly disappointing that she claimed to possess "zero" interest in politics. I expected more of her, given the occasion and her conduct in the past.

Two additional points:

1) Asked virtually the same question, James Blake responded.

2) On a lighter note, Obama fever hit Melbourne.

What do you think about Rafael Nadal's most challenging point of this season?

a. To finish the year at No. 1

b. To beat Federer in every meeting like last year

c. To defend his crown of Wimbledon and Roland Garros

d. To win the Australian Open, the first grand slam of the year

e. To help Spain to defend its Davis Cup title

-- Yuwak Gurung, Kathmandu

• First, a Mailbag rule: any reader from Kathmandu gets special dispensation. Second, isn't it funny how Nadal -- the top seed and winner of two of the last three Majors -- has become the forgotten man in Australia? They asked Marat Safin to predict a winner of the tournament last night and he, too, omitted Nadal's name before being prompted.

I, too, don't see him winning. But as I write this, it's sure hard to find fault with his form. Anyway, one figures that he'd be thrilled achieving, say, two of the five points you mention. Going undefeated against Federer is not a big priority or goal. Much as he loves Spain, he's already experienced Davis Cup glory. Winning the Australian (i.e. a hard court Slam) would be nice. But, overall, I suspect "a" and "c" would be his biggest goals.

How would you rate Venus and Serena on the all-time greatest doubles players list? They only have 7 Slams, but they won two Olympic Gold medals. They never lost a Grand Slam final in doubles. By my math, they played in 17 Grand Slams together. Discounting the first three (played in 1997 and 1998), they have won half of the ones they entered. They only entered the French Open once... and won.
-- Barry, Phoenix, Ariz.

• They obviously don't play together often, but when they do, it's almost fait accompli they'll win the title. I remember a few years ago, they entered a draw and Virginia Ruano Pascal and Paola Suarez, then the No.1 team, looked at each other and said, "We're playing for second place." Speaking of the Williams sisters playing doubles, who else wishes this fate befell the streaker who interrupted their match yesterday?

You noted how few American women were in the draw, but where's Bethanie Mattek?
-- Carl, St. Paul

• A lot have asked about Mattek, the tennis player/fashionista. She's out with a hip injury, a shame, as her career really lurched forward in 2008.