Last weekend brought sweet redemption for Serena Williams and Roger Federer at Wimbledon as both avenged heart-breaking losses last year in the women’s and men’s championship, respectively.
Serena
Six years ago, Venus and Serena Williams made history when they became the first sister act to perform on centre court in a women’s final at Wimbledon. Serena upset her big sister back then to win her first of two titles at this most prestigious of the four Grand Slams tournaments (the others being the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open).
And even though the quality of their play against each other in that match left a great deal to be desired, they so dominated all of their respective opponents that I thought they were destined to be featured in this (and every other Grand Slam) final for years to come. Frankly, I fully expected Venus and Serena to do to the records in women’s tennis what Tiger Woods has done (and is doing) to the records in golf.
Alas, they have not. In fact, of the 43 Grand Slam titles that have been up for grabs since they turned pro in 1998, Venus has won only 7 and Serena 11. By comparison, in less than half that time – from 2004 to 2008 – Justine Henin won 7 titles. And at 29 and 27, respectively, it seems a pipe dream that either Venus or Serena will ever surpass Steffi Graf’s feat of winning 22 titles, let alone Margaret Court’s 24.
Therefore, as I watched them on Saturday displaying the same power, skill and grace that made them seem so invincible six years ago, I could not help thinking what opportunities had been lost – to fashion modeling, acting, injuries … and boys.
Nevertheless, they seem to be fulfilling my grand expectations at Wimbledon by appearing in the women’s championship match for the second consecutive year. And, as indicated above, Serena avenged last year’s loss to Venus (7-5, 6-4) by thrashing her this year 7-6, 6-2.
It feels so amazing. I’m so blessed. I feel like I shouldn’t be holding the trophy. I can’t believe I’m holding it. It’s named for Venus and she always wins.
(Serena)
No doubt Serena helped Venus get over her loss by joining her on centre court just hours later to win the women’s doubles championship.
Federer
I’ve been quite unabashed in expressing my preference for women’s tennis. Because, frankly, the women’s game is not only almost as powerful as the men’s (with Venus hitting 125 mph serves); their fierce baseline strokes during relatively long rallies are also far more titillating to watch than the one big serve that now characterizes men’s tennis.
[Hail to 4-time Wimbledon champ Venus Williams, TIJ, July 3, 2008]
I began with the above quote because I want you to see the words that I’m being forced to eat. Because, after watching Roger Federer and Andy Roddick yesterday play 4 hours, 16 minutes, five sets and 77 games of the best tennis I’ve ever seen (complete with long and thrilling rallies that outmatched those Venus and Serena played in their finals match), I feel obliged to do so.
In fact, women tennis players are beginning to not only play but also sound a lot like the men. Personally, I don’t mind their testosteronal grunts; and I think it smacked of puritanical lunacy that those fuddy duddies at Wimbledon tried to muzzle them….
At any rate, given that Roddick had gone through the entire tournament without ever losing his serve, it seemed only a matter of time before he broke Federer’s to win their epic fifth set. Therefore, it came as quite a shock that it was the older and seemingly more vulnerable Federer who held serve (and his stamina) to finally break Roddick’s to win the match 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 (there being no fifth-set tiebreak at Wimbledon).
Unfortunately, unlike Serena, he was unable to avenge last year’s loss against the player who defeated him because injury prevented Rafael Nadal from competing this year.
What does it say about Agassi’s respect for the integrity of his sport when he touts Roger Federer as the best tennis player in history, when Federer’s accomplishments on the court (i.e. in terms of Grand Slams won) pales in comparison to Sampras’?
[Agassi whimpered into retirement, TIJ, September 5, 2006]
That said, Federer’s victory was far more significant than Serena’s because, with it, he broke Pete Sampras’ record for the most Grand Slam singles titles in men’s tennis history. To his credit, Sampras seemed content and gracious as he witnessed Federer do so from his perch in the Royal Box.
Accordingly, I am now obliged to concede that Federer is the best tennis player in history. Not least because, as Federer made clear yesterday, he fully expects to pad his Grand Slam record in the years to come.
He’s a stud. He’s only 27. He’ll contend here for many years, and the U.S. Open, and all the majors. If he just keeps it going and stays healthy, he could go to 18, 19, potentially. The guy, he’s a legend. Now he’s an icon.
(Pete Sampras)
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Agassi whimpered into retirement…
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