The Tennis Thread

[Not Plain Jane]

I like Maria a lot too. It seems like ages since she won a slam so this would be a big win for her. But I like Petra too. So let the best lady on the day win it! I'd give Maria a slight edge due to experience and, oddly (!), consistency.

On the men's side, it would be nice to see someone other than Rafa win it all, but I am inclined to think Rafa will get his 11th slam. Unless Murray does something HUGE tomorrow.

 

[Scott]

well if yesterday's semifinal was any indication,it's really a good thing they play three sets. i give a slight edge to petra,myself and simply because petra's serve has been the stronger and more consistent of the two....and it being lefty. petra actually has the distinction this tournament of having a second serve percentage in the mid-60's which by many analyst accounts is almost unheard of in the women's field. besides,petra herself is a shot-maker who's very capable of moving the ball around the court and using angles and she's not afraid to move forward. if she can keep maria on the move and force maria into going for too big of a shots she can certainly unravel maria's game....a la na li at RG.

 

[Miss Dalloway]

So its Nole and Rafa for the final, i love them both, but i truly hope Novak wins this one. I'm so rooting for him!

 

[MyNameIs]

Go Rafa! I was really hoping Tsonga would give us another upset, but that wasn't to be I guess. At least Murray is out. Both he and Novak are insufferable.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Oh I totally disagree! I love Nole and Murray; they are great. But Nole is mentally way stronger, and has a more aggressive game. Hence he has two slam titles, one of the longest streaks ever, tied with Fed and Rafa for four Masters titles won in a year, etc, etc.

And now HE IS NUMBER ONE!! Kudos to him. Just one match lost all year is what it took to top Rafa's points. Amazing!

Miss Dalloway, I am like you. Nothing against Rafa, but it would be nice to see a new champion at Wimbledon on Sunday! Also, I try not to insult players personalities. I like them all but some just more than others. And I love to see different winners. Their excitement and joy really comes across.
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Scott, you make excellent points on behalf of Petra. i truly believe, whether she wins tomorrow or not, she can and possibly will rule the WTA in the future. I am a fan of hers now. I am amazed by her natural talent and power. As for Maria, she is the definition of "true grit" - also very admireable in a sportswoman.

 

[Scott]

^definitely. tomorrow i just hope will a high quality match. and i hope petra continues to have as much of a relaxed mindset as she has throughout.

i'm rooting for nole myself. would be kind of redemptive following what happened at RG. and no.1....much deserved. as for his personality...well he is a gregarious one,no?

 

[purplethistle]

I hope Nole wins, I like having new winners every now and then at a particular event and a new winner for Wimbledon is a bit over due now.

With the women's final I don't really mind who wins. I just want and entertaining match where they both fight tooth and nail for every point.

 

[NakedIfIWantTo]

Did you hear about this?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/tennis/bjorn-borg-and-john-mcenroe-hawk-underwear-reminisce-at-wimbledon/2011/07/01/AGl14MuH_story.html

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Lol NakedIfIWantTo. So the old boys are selling underwear now? Is this what Fed and Rafa will be doing at Wimbledon in ten or twenty years. hahahaha.

Re: Ladies' Final - fingers crossed for a cracker!!

Scott: yes, gregarious, but why not? It takes all kinds: classy, humble, dour, gregarious, theatrical, obnoxious, cantankerous, etc. Bring it on, the more players with different games and personalities who can win, the better. Just so long as there are some juicy rivalries mixed in there.

 

[MyNameIs]

Poor Maria. She's playing well but Kvitova is relentless. She's getting everything that Maria hits her way. Time is running out for Maria.

 

[Scott]

PETRA first of many still to come,i believe. and i think i finally found my new favourite player

 

[purplethistle]

^ I think I've also found a new favourite player. Petra handled the match really well and was very humble in her win.

Maria fought hard and was also very gracious in defeat.

On a side note did anyone think it was a bit funny how in front of Anna Wintour here was a man with a really bad mullet?

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Wow, congratulations to Petra Kvitova! A Champion is born! )

 

[Chaky]

Great win for Petra. A few people picked her at the start. I definitely had her as a dark horse. But it's amazing how composed she seemed in her first slam final. If anything, Maria appeared to have more nerves.

Many more titles for this girl I imagine.

On a side note did anyone think it was a bit funny how in front of Anna Wintour here was a man with a really bad mullet?

He was wearing a soccer shirt as well. She kept looking at him disapprovingly.

 

[Scott]

i didn't see anna....i don't think the network even panned over toward her but in all honesty,wasn't really paying attention,anyway....i was so engrossed with what petra was doing. of course,once you see the ice queen you prefer not see her anymore.

 

[constanceMafioso]

PETRA first of many still to come,i believe. and i think i finally found my new favourite player

Happy for you... I also had picked her for the title glad Brad Gilbert and I didn't come out broke from the affair. I'm truly delighted by her, such a mesmerizing talent and great composure through out all the match... this is just one of many majors hopefully.

I love Maria too but today there was just no contest on who was the better player... but she has really turned her career around beautifully. 2 semis in a row and a F in majors and I bet there's a world #1 out there who would have wished to bring such performances in majors for her status. - Maria's last 6 tournaments were SF, F, 4th, W, SF, F.

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Tomorrow I'm rooting for Nole, Andy was such a deception once again and I'm really tending to give up on him. Nole is the new world #1 and nothing better to sublime that status with a 2nd GS this year and 3rd overall.

 

[NakedIfIWantTo]

He was wearing a soccer shirt as well. She kept looking at him disapprovingly.

AND he was a Kvitova fan

I thought it was pretty hard to root for Maria. She had no variety in her game, and her serve remains her biggest problem. The fact that she won the coin toss and chose to receive was telling.

 

[Scott]

^the funny thing is she actually ended up breaking in that first game. but it served(no pun) as moot because petra broke right back and controlled much of that first set. that is what is so impressive about how petra played yesterday.....nothing seemed to rattle her whatsoever. for the nervousness of her previous two rounds,here she was in the final playing like she was playing a first or second round. that's why i feel like this is destiny for her and she very well could be the next serena williams.

 

[Miss Dalloway]

So happy Nole won, it was a bit of a strange match, like someone took both of their powers away at some point, but then bam, it was back! He was so cute in the end, clutching the trophy like it will escape form his hands. Always a cool thing to see someone who worked hard on their talent, realize their dreams!

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Wonderful win by Novak. He really played his best when it mattered most to him and his dreams - that is the sign of a true champion!! Huge congrats.

Two new Wimbledon Champions - very exciting slam this year. The suggestion and realization of change at the top of both the WTA & ATP!!!