Donald Marhefka
Correspondent I

Donald Marhefka

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About

I'm a U.S. citizen, retired, and living in Chengdu, China with a Chinese wife. I've always said that Chengdu is the world's biggest city that nobody ever heard of. Chengdu is located East of the Himalayas and has been called Paradise. The weather, while hot in Summer, is not too hot. Not as hot, for example, as Beijing while is much further North. Spring comes early in Chengdu. In Winter, it never snows. Ok, maybe sometimes it does snow but it never accululates. The Winters are really too cold for me even though the temperature only rarely falls below 32 degrees F (0 degrees C). The reason is probably because of moisture in the air.

I love tennis although sometimes I'm frustrated in Chengdu because it's not on television. For example, there was much coverage of the French Open but no coverage of Wimbledon. I watched CCTV5 every morning at 7 AM for tennis highlights of Wimbledon. I usually (not always) already knew the results from browsing the web. www.wimbledon,com is especially good at relaying point by point results.

In the past, I served as a marshal at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 Tennis Tournament. I served two years as a marshal. The highlight of these two years was undoubtedly having a short conversation with Ivan Lendl while escorting him from the Practice Courts to the Player's Lounge. I asked a very stupid question: "Do you think you'll win this tournament?" His answer was surprising. He said, "What's the difference?" This led to a very short conversation on his philosophical outlook about life.

After two years as a marshal, I switched to being an Usher because you could watch more tennis that way. I always had the same assignment which I believe was the North Grandstand at Center Court.

Short List

  • Favorite Athletes

    Roger Federer, Roger Soderling, Ivan Lendl, Kareem Jabaar

  • Favorite Sports Teams

    L. A. Lakers

  • Favorite Coaches

    Pat Riley

  • All Time Sports Moment

    1984 French Open Men's Final, 2009 French Open Men's Final

  • Most Memorable Game Attended

    Oct. 13, 1960 Pirates over the Yankees, game 7 of World Series at Forbes Field

  • Most Unbreakable Sports Record

    Federer 20 consecutive times reached the semis or better at a Grand Slam

  • Ruth or Mays?

    Ruth

  • Unitas or Montana?

    Unitas

  • Jordan or Russell?

    Jordan

  • Federer or Sampras?

    Federer

  • Tiger or Nicklaus?

    Nicklaus. I watched all five rounds of Jack's first Grand Slam win at Oakmont, Pittsburgh.

  • ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12 or SEC?

    ACC

Bulletin Board

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  • Savita Hiremath posted 21 days ago

    Savita Hiremath

    Thanks again for the Like, Donald. Hope it helps resurrect my article from the archives. :)

  • Savita Hiremath posted 24 days ago

    Savita Hiremath

    Dear Donald, My latest.
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1035022-roger-federer-1000th-encounter-and-still-going-lethal

  • Delores Smith-Johnson posted 76 days ago

    Delores Smith-Johnson

    Thanks Donald for the article "like."

  • Savita Hiremath posted 121 days ago

    Savita Hiremath

    (Officially,) Donald, Thank you for the article 'Like', your comment and yes, welcome to my Fan Club! Cheers, S

  • Pete Sanders posted 318 days ago

    Pete Sanders

    Yes sir, there are vaild reasons to believe that Walker and G Penn are the self appointed , all knowing tennis expert, Tim Ruffin. Why sir, do you ask?

  • Ash Marshall posted 374 days ago

    Ash Marshall

    Hey Donald,

    I've just posted a story about the global evolution of tennis and the increasing popularity of the sport. I've put a lot of time and effort into it, and I'd be really grateful to get any feedback you have.

    If you get a chance to check it out, that would be great.

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/594875-the-global-evolution-of-tennis-is-bringing-the-sport-to-new-markets-an-analysis

    Thanks,

    Ash

  • Xeno-philous F posted 383 days ago

    Xeno-philous F

    Don,
    I am trying to find a solution to your problem. I will get back to you as soon as I can.
    My last piece before the tonight's final
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/589301-novak-djokovic-andy-murray-fans-clash-bare-kuckle-australian-open-final-2011

  • Xeno-philous F posted 385 days ago

    Xeno-philous F

    My new piece on Djokovic win:
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/586765-novak-djokovic-downs-roger-feder-in-straight-sets-australian-open-semifinal-2011

  • Xeno-philous F posted 388 days ago

    Xeno-philous F

    How have you been?
    Here is one unorthodox piece.
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/583020-roger-federer-and-rafa-nadal-stumble-before-australian-open-2011-finals

  • Xeno-philous F posted 528 days ago

    Xeno-philous F

    Don,
    Check this one out, if you got a minute for a quick read:
    Don't expect artistry on this one.

    Title: Andy Murray Shocked by Stanislas Wawrinka at US Open: Another Year Wasted"

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/452324-andy-murray-shockingly-loses-to-stan-wawrinka-at-us-open-another-year-wasted

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