The 118th Wimbledon got underway this morning. There are a few stories for all of you fans out there who have been dying, like myself, for the best tennis tournament in the world to begin.
Today marked the return of Martina Navratilova to the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club in the Women's Singles draw. Do you realize she is 47-years-old? She is not playing just doubles like the past few years. That's incredible. I realize she played singles in the French Open in Paris last month but that is not where Martina thrives; Wimbledon is.
Did I mention Martina crushed her opponent, Catalina Castano of Colombia, 6-1, 6-0? When I'm 47, I will just be hoping to be able to pick up a racquet and go hit some balls with friends at the local tennis courts. Wimbledon at her age? Just remarkable. For two more weeks let's see that 'take no prisoners' attitude again.. Women's tennis could use some liveliness after the Russian debacle at the French. Martina's body just has to cooperate.
Another player making a comeback of sorts is Goran Ivanisevic. In 2001, Ivanisevic came to Wimbledon ranked 125th in the world and left as champion. In 2002, he was unable to defend his title because of an injury to his left shoulder. Last year, a foot infection kept the Croatian from playing again. This is supposed to be his last year. The 33-year-old wants to come in, hopefully win a few rounds and bow out peacefully for the last time. Yet, this morning he dismantled the 31st seed, Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2. Waiting in the wings for a potential third round match would be Australian Lleyton Hewitt, the 7th seed.
Can Venus and Serena get back to form? Both sisters have been injured and off the court for a good part of the past year, but Venus and Serena, if playing well, could have no problem facing each other in the final. Many of the women's top player's are either hurt or not playing (Henin-Hardienne, Kim Clijsters, etc). When Richard Williams shows up, Venus and Serena start playing better. That's a fact. He flies in on Tuesday. Get ready for an all-Williams final for the women's title.
Is this Tim Henman's year? Poor Tim. The tabloid's just bombard him for these two weeks. Grass is his best surface by far, but he struggles every year because, I believe, the pressure. Could you handle the pressure of a country on your back? Think about that. No other English tennis player is good. It's just Tim. The British want Tim to win Wimbledon so badly that they hurt him more than help. Henman has the talent and ability. If he can keep his mind on nothing but tennis for the next two weeks there is no doubt he can win it.
Focus Tim, Focus
My Top 8 Wimbledon Moments
1. Bjorn Borg defeats John McEnroe in a marathon match, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (16-18), 8-6, in 1980. 
McEnroe never showed any emotion on the court.
2. Pete Sampras winning his 7th Wimbledon title in 2000. This gave Pistol Pete the most Grand Slams in the history of tennis (14).
3. Martina Navratilova winning the mixed doubles final with Leander Paes at the age of 46 in 2003. This gave Martina 20 Wimbledon titles, including nine in singles.
4. Boris Becker dominating the field at the age of 17 in 1985 to become the youngest player and first German to ever win Wimbledon.
5. Goran Ivanisevic becomes the first unseeded player to win the Mens Singles title in 2001. Not only was he unseeded, but he was a wildcard which means he wasn't ranked high enough to be in the tourney, he had to be given a spot in it.
6. Martina Hingis becomes the youngest player to ever win a Wimbledon title when, at the age of 15, she wins the Ladies Doubles title with Helena Sukova in 1996.
7. Steffi Graf defeating Jana Novotna, 7-6 (8-6), 1-6, 6-4, in 1993. This match will be remembered for Novotna (up 4-1, 40-15 in the 3rd set) choking this match away and crying on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent afterwards. Great moment in tennis history.
8. Andre Agassi beating the hard serving left Goran Ivanisevic for the crown in 1992 when he wasn't given any chance of winning on grass. Agassi had the best return in the game to shut down Ivanisevic's boom of a serve.
Need a good site to read about Wimbledon? BBC Tennis covers it from top to bottom.
5 comments:
I don't know how to feel about Martina being in Wimbledon this year. She earned a special "wild-card spot" apparently? Um, why? Because she's Martina?
If that's the case, I'm not buying it. That's another spot for a young up-and-comer to head to a Grand Slam and try to make noise. Do most of them, no, I will admit.
I think the worst part is, she THINKS she should just be given a spot BECAUSE she's Martina. That's egoism at it's worst and why she should just stay retired.
But, it puts butts in the seats. Every other sport is a business, why not tennis?
Good article!!!! (Should I expect anything else??) I don't care how Martina Navratilova got in Wimbledon, if it was a wild card or not, she still is amazing! If I could be 1/2 as in shape as she is at her age I would be happy! I hope she gets out there and woops everyone’s ass!! Then she can show (wild card or not) that she can be that egotistical because she is Martina!!!
Excited to see you write about this tourney. I am pretty new into enjoying watching tennis, so I have to admit that most of you moments are new to me. Or at least I don't remember them actually happening. It seems like Wimbledon is stocked full of some great talent and there could be some great matches. What would I like to see? Of course, an American pull out a victory, but also just a great deal of some rocking matches, of course with many, many great winners. I agree about Tim Henman, but I also have to admit that if he goes up against any of my favorites, I will not be cheering for him! I think all tennis fans just home for some great matches, right?
Just tune in for the hot young russians, thats all that matters.........
I liked your stuff, and I'm sorry you didn't advance.
I was just kidding about that F-4 reference.
Keep at it....Stace
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