This Week In Tennis
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RUNDOWN
- Serena Williams overcame the ghosts of the last three Grand Slams past to ink her name alongside Steffi Graf for second on the all-time list of Slam winners. When she collapsed on her back at net after striking the winning volley, Williams shed (if only for a moment) the burden of expectation that accompanies her greatness.
- Andy Murray caught a break with Novak Djokovic losing early at Wimbledon. The world #1 is the unquestioned best on the ATP Tour and victor over Murray in the year's first two Slams. With Djokovic out and home crowd pressure squarely on the Brit's shoulders, Murray summoned some of his best tennis to ensure the opportunity was not wasted. He lost only two sets all fortnight, both against Tsonga in the quarterfinals.
- Angelique Kerber put her hand up as the official #2 on the WTA Tour when she booked her place in the final alongside Serena Williams, securing the tour's first Grand Slam final rematch in the same year since Mauresmo and Henin in 2006. Kerber fought gamely during a straight sets loss, but still cemented herself as a truly elite player and force to be reckoned with in women's tennis.
- Milos Raonic survived a two set deficit to David Goffin in the fourth round, then authored a five-set comeback victory against Federer in the semifinals, before eventually losing in straight sets to Murray in the championship round. The first time Slam finalist, under the tutelage of a conflicted John McEnroe, had no answers for a well-rounded Murray. Still, he should take nothing but positives from the last fortnight.
- Venus Williams scripted a turn-back-the-clock performance at the All England Club, reaching her first semifinal at a Grand Slam in six years. The mouth watering prospect of an all-Williams final was put to rest when Angelique Kerber beat her 6-4 6-4. Still, with her performance, the elder Williams rises to #7 in the latest WTA rankings, and she was also able to attend the Champions Ball as doubles champion alongside her sister.
- Roger Federer entered Wimbledon short on match practice and consequently less of a threat for the title than at any other time in the last decade. But, when Djokovic exited SW19 in week one, the prospect of an 18th Slam title loomed large if he could somehow play himself into form. After coming back from a two-set hole against Cilic in the quarterfinals, his loss to Raonic in the semifinals might sting for a bit. Still, all things considered, a great two weeks for the Swiss maestro.
- Tomas Berdych has made the quarterfinals of all three Slams in 2016. After losing 6-0 6-0 to David Goffin in Rome prior to the French Open and subsequently parting ways with his coach, a semifinal run at Wimbledon didn't seem likely. Yet, Berdych again found his way to week two of a Slam.
- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga can hang his hat on being the only player to push Andy Murray at Wimbledon, forcing a fifth set against the eventual champion in the quarterfinals. After having to retire with an injury during the third round of the French Open, his Wimbledon has to be considered a rousing success.
- Doubles Champions: S. Williams/V. Williams, Mahut/Herbert, Watson/Kontinen
PRESS
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Q. In your last three losses, you showed incredible dignity on the court. How important was it for you to be that kind of person? Do you think that contributes to who you are as a champion?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I think it's definitely important, but it's just more or less who I've become and who I am. Definitely being genuinely happy at that moment for the people that I lost to. I always said, and I'll say it again, for me the success of another female in particular should be the inspiration to the next. I just felt like, if anything, these ladies inspire me to want to do better. Why would I be jealous of them? I have so many titles, so many Grand Slams, so many things that I'm proud of. I just feel honored that, you know, I'm welcoming them to this unique position with open arms. Q. When we think of Serena, we think of her serve. Could you try to put the different elements of her game as a whole, her forehand, her return, her presence, her mental toughness? ELENA VESNINA: You know, Serena, she's not only about serve. When people are saying about her, of course, she's relying on serve, and that's her biggest weapon. But on the baseline, she's also using the pace really good. She's changing the spin on the ball. She's not only hitting flat balls, she's using spin, slices sometimes. She's maybe not the best mover, but she's reading your game. Today for me was really difficult. I would say she has one of the best forehand cross court return from the deuce side. It's so fast, you cannot even finish your serve, then the ball's already passing you with a clear winner. Of course, the mental part. I mean, she's the strongest one with the mentality to playing on the big courts, the big events, finals, semifinals, Grand Slams. She's the best with this. Q. For many people, to get to three major finals in a row in the same year is an incredible accomplishment. How do you look upon what you've done this year and the groove in which you're playing right now? SERENA WILLIAMS: I think it's great. I mean, I think for anyone else in this whole planet, it would be a wonderful accomplishment. For me, it's about obviously holding the trophy and winning, which would make it a better accomplishment for me. For me, it's not enough. But I think that's what makes me different. That's what makes me Serena. |
Q. It was a great final, one of the best I remember in the last years. Does it give you partial consolation?
ANGELIQUE KERBER: Yeah, I mean, of course I went out there today to win the match. That's for sure. But at the end, I tried everything. This is what I always telling myself when I go to the match. I was a little bit nervous at the beginning of the match. After this amazing two weeks, I just can say that I give everything. Of course, I'm disappointed. But at the end I'm also proud about that what I did, also after Paris. I reach my second Grand Slam final in this year. It was amazing final. I really enjoy the final today. It was a great atmosphere out there. I will never forget the feeling. Q. Very few players in their mid 30s seem to have a rebirth and get better. What are your thoughts on being in your mid 30s and the possibility that this may be a steppingstone to greater achievement than in the past few years for you? VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, in life there is no such thing as impossible. It's always possible. That's what you feel as an athlete. Pretty much our job is to make the impossible happen every day. It's like magic, you know. I like that. I like to think that people will continue to play a long time. Q. When you were leaving Centre Court, it looked like you were trying to take in your surroundings and remember the scene there. Do you think that could be the last time you'll be on Centre Court? Are you confident you'll be back next year? ROGER FEDERER: That was not how I was looking at Centre Court. I was looking at Centre Court as in thank you for the crowd, thank you for the great feeling that you gave me throughout The Championships. I was fortunate enough to play all my matches on Centre Court. I don't take that for granted. For me, it's a respect towards Milos to wait for him. Like in the olden days, you walk off together, same time thank the crowd, then leave the stage for Milos really at the end. That's what I was going through, not thinking about this might be my last Wimbledon. And, yes, I hope to be back on Centre Court, to be very clear for you. Click HERE for all Wimbledon press conferences. |
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RANKINGS WATCH
RANKINGS WATCH
- WTA: Kerber (+1 to #2), V. Williams (+1 to #7), Suarez Navarro (+3 to #9), Kuznetsova (+4 to #10), Cibulkova (+6 to #12), Bacsinszky (-7 to #18), Vesnina (+25 to #25), Doi (+12 to #37), Bouchard (+7 to #41), Shvedova (+46 to #50), Wozniacki (-16 to #61), Sharapova (-59 to #96), Sakkari (+18 to #97)
- ATP: Tsonga (+2 to #10), Gasquet (-4 to #14), Pouille (+9 to #21), Johnson (+4 to #25), Simon (-8 to #28), Querrey (+12 to #29), Anderson (-6 to #31), Mahut (+9 to #42), Vesely (+14 to #50), Bedene (-12 to #68), Evans (+18 to #73), Pospisil (-55 to #99), Brown (-16 to #101), del Potro (+26 to #139)
ON THE WEB
Serena Williams, Andy Murray, and a Political Wimbledon
Taking Centre Stage Again
An Act of Serena
The Singular Serena Williams
The Unexpected Challenge: Roger Federer's Wimbledon Quarterfinal Victory
Gritty Federer not ready to say his last goodbye
Serena's Greatness Lies in Attitude not Numbers
The Fearlessness of Angelique Kerber
Equal pay debate continues to lack any evidence or respect for players
Kerber Catches Another Wave
The Revival of Roger Federer
The Best at her Best
Wimbledon Isn't Just about Tennis. There's Also Way Too Much Squash
Bjorn Borg: 'I Love Wimbledon but I Had to Stay Away'
Serena Williams Ties Record with Wimbledon Victory
Champion's Corner: Serena
Serena Williams and the hope black America needed
Still She Rises: Serena Reaches New Heights with Wimbledon Win
Andy Murray wins his second Wimbledon title with straight-sets victory over Milos Raonic
MaliVai Washington on Men's Tennis Today and His Historic Wimbledon Run 20 Years Ago
PODCASTS
The Body Serve - It's A Williams World At Wimbledon
No Challenges Remaining - Wimbledon Volley 4: Serena and Murray Slay
Realz Tenis Fanz - Leaving the SW 22 CLUB.
Tennis Connected - Reviewing Wimbledon 2016
Beyond The Baseline - Paul Annacone on Wimbledon 2016 semifinals, finals
The Tennis Podcast - Serena Seals Slam 22 At Last!
The Tennis Podcast - Murray Wins Title No.2
Mind The Racket - Episode 20 – Wimbledon Reactions
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