Get in tune with 3-month-old Banjo
Name: Banjo, as in Banjo Paterson, writer of Australia’s unofficial national anthem, “Waltzing Matilda.” A “Matilda,” by the way, is a cloth bag containing everything a “swagman” (hobo) owns, which he ties to the end of a stick. And “Waltzing” is just walking. The song has sort of a sad, but inspiring, ending. Accused of stealing a sheep and facing jail, the hobo commits suicide by jumping into a “billabong,” which is a bend in a river. The song reflects Australia’s spirit of independence. Aussies refer to “Waltzing Matilda” as “our song.” The actual anthem is “Advance Australia Fair.”
Ethnicity: Banjo is strumming some sort of black and tan Terrier mix. He weighs a trim, fit 19 pounds. He’s still a pup, so his tonnage will go up, but not much. Birthdate: Dec. 12, 2016. Banjo’s beat: I’m watching the Tennis Channel and they keep running spots for “the most prestigious clay court event in the U.S.” — and they’re talking about the Volvo Car Open next week in Charleston, S.C. Players scheduled to appear: Madison Keys, Monica Puig, Andrea Petkovic, Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki.
Most prestigious clay court event? Really? I’ll take the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship, April 8-16, at the River Oaks Country Club.
Headed to Houston: rising superstar Jack Sock, big boomer John Isner, veterans Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson, Spaniards Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez, longtime favorite Tommy Haas and young Americans Donald Young, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Jared Donaldson. Tickets available at mensclaycourt.com.