You’re not as nerdy tennis as I am - I get that. So it’s my duty to share the death of former pro Horst Skoff, who died this past week at the age of 39. Doctors will perform an autopsy, but think he might have suffered a heart attack.

Who is he?

Well, to be honest, a journeyman player: the Austrian once reached no. 18 in the world and won a 6-hour Davis Cup match over Mats Wilander (1989). In the ‘90 Davis Cup, he led the US’s Michael Chang two sets to none in the tie’s final match. Then he blew it, giving Chang and the American’s the match and tie. Oh well.

Anyhow, thing’s changed quick. This was Horst from his playing days:

And this from recent years (Horst on the right in the jacket):

Apparently after his playing days were done he put on quite a bit of weight (Skoff’s last match was 1995).

So, there’s your education for the day. The lessons of Slobodan Zivojinovic are next. Take a few minutes and we’ll come back.