Dig the New Breed

Wimbleon Review

The Men’s final showcased a new brand of tennis, with incredible retrieving and returning, and maybe the tennis of the future at the top level. The contrast could not be greater than with the serve-dominated finals of the past, like Sampras v Ivanisevic 1998. I think there was only one serve-volley point in the whole match (when Djokovic was serving it out) and then it was only as a surprise weapon.
Mats Wilander was considered exceptional when he won three of the four majors in 1988. Now it’s almost commonplace. Federer has done it three times (2004, 06, 07) & Rafa did it last year. It’s a tough call now to bet against Nole doing the same this year.
If it wasn’t tough enough for Murray trying to win a Slam with Fed & Nadal around, now you have Djokovic, who has raised his level to leapfrog Roger & Rafa to world no. 1, & now astonishingly won 50 of his last 51 singles matches.

Petra Kvitova was the surprise ladies champion. Her big lefty serve should see her as a regular finalist for the next few years. While reaching the final was a welcome return to form for Sharapova, I wonder if it’s the end of an era with both Wiliams sisters going out in the fourth round. Serena reaching that stage after such a long injury lay-off was no mean feat however, & if she can continue to improve her fitness, I wouldn’t want to rule her out of contention for the US Open.

There was one Brit in a Wimbledon singles final this year, Liam Broady was the boys' runner-up, the best British performance since Miles Kasiri in 2004 .It’s notoriously difficult to predict whether a junior will be a success in the pro ranks. Although Federer & Edberg are past winners of the boys' titles, there is a far longer list of ex-junior champions who haven’t set the pro ranks on fire. Only time will tell whether Broady is another Murray, or another Kasiri (who peaked at 504 in the world rankings), though he does seem to have a good temperament.

Time for an exciting new feature, readers (yes, both of you)

Performance of the Week

This week I’m going for Tommy Voeckler, for his strength & guts in living with the climbers through the Pyrenees, & so holding onto the yellow jersey.