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Alan Attwood

Alan Attwood

Alan Attwood is a former Age writer, section editor and foreign correspondent.

Old negatives provided a treasure trove of photographic memories.

The green folder had been hidden in my cupboard since 1976. It was a treasure trove

The discovery of folders of negatives from nearly 50 years ago provided a photographic time machine.

  • Alan Attwood

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It’s Moneyball, only with real-time stats: the scientific evolution of match-day prep

Once, only the wealthiest players could afford to crunch the numbers on every opponent’s strengths, weaknesses and habits. Now, with such data widely available, it’s possible for many more to gain a winning edge before even walking onto the court.

  • Alan Attwood
The battle of the sexes

Nick Kyrgios has become a sideshow. This ‘battle of the sexes’ proves it

The Australian will benefit more than his opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, from the confected contest in Dubai. We no longer need such gimmicks to show that women are strong and powerful.

  • Alan Attwood
I realised I quite liked the squiggles, even fancied I could recognise the handiwork of ­individual markers.

I knew how odd I would appear to strangers, taking photographs of the ground

Mystery abounds in the squiggles and hieroglyphics that lie beneath us.

  • Alan Attwood
Tony Jones has apologised to Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic v Jones: Offensive stitch-up or just another Novak grievance?

Paul McNamee and Alan Attwood go head to head on the ill-fated live cross that riled the king of Melbourne Park.

  • Paul McNamee and Alan Attwood
Ash Barty felt “vulnerable” in her AO 2021 quarter-final.

‘Like a scary movie’: What goes on in the minds of tennis players

Every elite tennis player can hit killer shots and ace their serves. So what separates the best from the rest?

  • Alan Attwood
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Australian Open 2025: Players to watch

From the “next big things” to former champions or slow burners who surprise – the names to keep an eye on.

  • Alan Attwood
A penguin at St Kilda Beach.

Beware the dangers of St Kilda’s penguin ‘experience’

Crowds ignore cries of “NO flash photos!” Camera flashes damage birds’ eyes. More damage can be done poking a selfie-stick down a burrow. This happened often.

  • Alan Attwood
Supporters of the Fitzroy pool.

From the Archives: Backstroke down Fitzroy Pool’s memory lane

In 1994, the inner-city pool made famous by Helen Garner’s Monkey Grip and the iconic ‘Aqua Profonda’ sign was at risk of closing. Alan Attwood reflected on its magic.

  • Alan Attwood
“You used to be able to express an interest in something, and then rock up and start,” says one volunteer. “Now there will be forms, courses … sometimes it feels too hard.”

Red tape’s strangling volunteering – creating more casualties than you’d think

Bureaucracy is making it ever more difficult to lend a hand – to the detriment of willing helpers as well as those in need.

  • Alan Attwood