2006年VOA标准英语-2 Israeli Men Battle on US Tennis Courts

By Jim Stevenson
Fitzgerald Tennis Center, Washington
04 August 2006

While family members in Israel continue to be threatened by Hezbollah fired rockets, Andy Ram¹ and Jonathan Erlich are waging battles on tennis courts in the United States. VOA's Jim Stevenson has more on the Israeli men's doubles pair as they make their bid to play at the upcoming U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York.

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Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram    
  
Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich left Tel Aviv last week to fly to Washington and play in the Legg Mason Tennis Classic². The 25-year-old Ram and 29-year-old Erlich are seeded third in the men's doubles draw. They are trying to concentrate on their game and seem relaxed between matches. But Ram admits their daily routine³ has a very serious side.

"We are far away from home," he said. "The only routine we have this week is talking to our family and hearing the news. How many rockets have gotten into Haifa. How many have died, unfortunately. Sad news."

Ram and Erlich became partners in 2003 and reached the Wimbledon semifinals that year. They have won seven titles together, including two tournament victories this year (in Adelaide, Australia and Nottingham, England). Now ranked seventh in the world, Ram says their success is being followed at home in Israel.

"Sports in Israel is not that big," he said. "Soccer is number one, basketball is number two and tennis is now number three. Since 2003, people know who Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram are. And they have been following us ever since."

Erlich and Ram answer reporters' questions during press conference  
  
Because tennis is not widely popular in Israel, Erlich says the pair tries to promote the sport often, especially to young players.

"Every time we are in Israel, we are trying to play. We do not hold that many big clinics (or) organized clinics," he said. "Just every time we are at the clubs, we like to play with some kids. And we are glad to do that."

Tennis coverage⁴ in Israel increased last month when the country scored its first win over Britain in Davis Cup team competition. Ram and Erlich were key players in the victory. But as Ram told VOA Sports, their popularity⁵ is also growing in America.

"The United States was always our second home, I think," he said. "When we are playing in Israel, obviously⁶ the crowds are for us. Playing in the States, we always get so much support from the Jewish⁷ community, from the Israelis just traveling here. And hearing 'Kadima' (from the stands), like everybody trying to say 'Come on' [eds: literal⁸ translation is 'forward' or 'onward'] in Hebrew. It is a nice feeling."

Ram and Erlich reached the quarterfinals at Legg Mason Thursday with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Australian Ashley Fisher and Tripp Phillips of the United States. The Israeli duo is hoping to play in perhaps three more tournaments before the U.S. Open. The final Grand Slam⁹ event of the year begins August 28 in New York.

1 ram   

(random access memory)随机存取存储器

参考例句：

• 512k RAM is recommended and 640k RAM is preferred.推荐配置为512K内存，640K内存则更佳。

2 classic   

n.经典作品；adj.经典的，一流的；古典的

参考例句：

• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。
• The football match was a classic.那场足球比赛堪称典范。

3 routine   

n.例行公事，惯例；adj.例行的，常规的

参考例句：

• It is everyday routine.这是每天的例行公事。
• She found the hospital routine slightly dull.她感到医院的工作有点枯燥乏味。

4 coverage   

n.报导，保险范围，保险额，范围，覆盖

参考例句：

• There's little coverage of foreign news in the newspaper.报纸上几乎没有国外新闻报道。
• This is an insurance policy with extensive coverage.这是一项承保范围广泛的保险。

5 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

6 obviously   

adv.显然；明白地

参考例句：

• Obviously they were putting him to a severe test.显然他们是在给他以严峻的考验。
• Obviously he was lying.显然他是在撒谎。

7 Jewish   

adj.犹太人的，犹太民族的

参考例句：

• The coin bears a Jewish symbol.硬币上有犹太标记。
• They were two Jewish kids;I was friendly with both of them.他们是两个犹太小孩；我同他们都很要好。

8 literal   

adj.照字面的，原义的，逐字的

参考例句：

• This word should not be taken in its literal sense.这个词不能按本义去理解。
• He made a literal interpretation.他逐字解释。

9 slam   

v.猛力地推、放或扔；砰地关上

参考例句：

• They were surprised by the slam of a car door.关汽车门时发出的声音使他们很吃惊。
• Why should you slam the window?你干吗要使劲关窗户呢？