Q: I’ve been watching tennis and have noticed that the server stands behind the line and bounces the ball a few times. What is the purpose of that?
—Brian Abrahams, Dunwoody
A: It can be a combination of player's routine, superstition, getting the feel for a new ball or an attempt to take an opponent out of their rhythm. It also could give the server a few seconds to rest between points, although, under the rules of tennis, the server has either 20 or 25 seconds to put the ball in play, depending the tournament. Novak Djokovic, the No. 1 player in the world, has been known for repeated ball bounces – sometimes 20 or more times — which has brought warnings of slow play. "It's just a habit that I have," he said in 2011. "It's better than it was, to be honest. I usually bounce the ball when I get a little tired, when the momentum is going (against him) and I'm a little nervous. I'm working on it." Serena Williams will bounce the ball five times on her first serve, but only twice on her second, The New York Times reported in August. Former pro Justin Gimelstob added one bounce every time he lost a point.
Q: What happened to Shepard Smith on Fox News?
—Joan Trinker, Loganville
A: Smith has moved from anchoring to the 7 p.m. newscast called "Fox Report" to a 3 p.m. show called "Shepard Smith Reporting" and was given the leadership of a new breaking news division. Smith, who had been the lead anchor on the network's evening newscast since 1999, can interrupt any other show on Fox News with breaking news.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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