This past weekend, I was reminded through a very simple trick that things aren’t always as good as the shimmer. The man started out by interlocking two rubber bands with the thumb and pointer finger of each hand. No matter where he stretched, the bands were always intact. However, with a simple rub between the two oval strands, the bands became free.

The trick sort of reminded me of a tennis match that took place Monday between Luxembourg’s Anne Kremer and American Jennifer Hopkins. Kremer won in three sets, but with an amazing 16 double faults. Hopkins didn’t do much better, missing two serves 13 times.

Were these players just off their games? Was the wind a huge factor? Maybe the court shrunk?

Yeah, that’s it, the last one.

Believe it or not, the service lines on their court were three-feet shorter than normal, reaching 18 feet from the net on each side. So how was this not spotted by anyone?

They must have been fooled by a grand magician – or a big idiot – take your pick.

AHH! The Power of Age

One thing that makes a magician great is the art of illusion. It doesn’t matter how well the trick is known or how easy it is to perform. It’s that edge of making the difficult seem like a breeze. The same goes for performing athletes.

Michael Jordan had that touch until a couple of weeks ago. Mario Lemieux also made it happen for a little over a season. Now it appears the shimmer has toned down on tennis great Pete Sampras.

During last week’s Davis Cup match between the United States and Spain, Sampras had a sweet set-up to put the American squad up 2-0. All he had to do was defeat Alex Corretja.

The match looked fine to start, with Sampras winning the first two sets. Then, the grass king crumbled, losing a five setter to a man from a place where men’s tennis players avoid grass like the plague.

The surprising loss even conjured up a response from Yevgeny Kafelnikov, in which he strongly suggested that the green bombadeer lay down his racket and retire.

You know what, Yevgeny? You’ve got something there.

Sampras only made it to the finals of a tournament four times last year in 15 attempts, grabbing no titles. This year, he’s only had three easy wins to compliment a 10-6 record.

With all respect to the man that leads history in all-time major titles, Sampras’ looks are starting to bemuse his once larger-than-sport persona.

However, as much as I can chide Sampras, he has the last laugh. Who wouldn’t want to retire to Brigette Wilson-Sampras? My Lord.

Absurd Predictions

My first calling out of winter hibernation comes this week with the upcoming golf season. What better way to greet it than by saying a big Southern `Hey y’all’ to the Masters tournament in Augusta.

With this week also comes a rebirth of major tournaments throughout the spring and summer months, meaning more opportunity for amateurs to stage the ultimate upstaging and top every professional in the field.

Thursday’s combatants for the honor of low amateur include Robert Hamilton, Michael Hoye and Chez Reavie. However, with the tourney being in the deep south, how can you go against a name like Bubba Dickerson.

Dickerson won’t only be the top amateur, but he’ll also run into the yellow-ribbon position of third place. The winner must have some experience in this type of situation. A cool, collective artiste with poise, power and posture. A great name doesn’t hurt either.

Enter Rocco Mediate, one of the most raucous players on tour. He has missed one cut this season, but in his other five-stroke-play events, he’s racked up five top-30 finishes, including a third place finish at Bay Hill and the Players Championship.

Just think, Rocco’s name in green jacket history, and a Bubba in the waiting. Illusions sometimes do turn into reality.

Jonathan Lowe is a senior in meteorology from Kansas City, Mo.