Classic Wimbledon gave us highs, lows and glimpse of future promise
Tennis delivers unexpected joys and equal disappointments, writes Paul Newman
Player of the tournament
With apologies to Novak Djokovic, Petra Kvitova wins the vote as the outstanding player of the fortnight. The 21-year-old Czech, who had never won a match on grass when she arrived at Wimbledon last year, dropped only one set, against Victoria Azarenka in the semi-finals, and played with remarkable maturity in the final.
Shot of the tournament
Andy Murray had unveiled his through-the-legs half-volley at Queen's Club a fortnight earlier, but the shot he played against Ivan Ljubicic was even better than the one he had struck against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Aegon Championships. The Scot had promised something special at Wimbledon in terms of shot-making and duly delivered.
Match of the tournament
Kimiko Date-Krumm, the oldest singles player in the tournament, played in its most compelling match. The 40-year-old Japanese, who returned to the game after 12 years in retirement, took the game to 31-year-old Venus Williams, five times a champion at the All England Club, before losing 8-6 in the final set after nearly three hours.
Biggest male disappointment
It was through no fault of his own, but the injury suffered by Milos Raonic against Gilles Muller denied the tournament a possible third-round thriller against Rafael Nadal. There were times when the big-serving Muller had Nadal rattled. Raonic, who has hit more aces than anyone on the men's tour this year, could have caused him even more trouble.
Biggest female disappointment
Caroline Wozniacki, the world No 1, once again failed to deliver on the highest stage, losing in the fourth round to Dominika Cibulkova, who went on to win just two games against Maria Sharapova in the next round. The Dane needs to focus her attentions more on the Grand Slam tournaments if she wants to succeed at the highest level.
Best young Briton
Liam Broady enjoyed a fine run to the boys' final, but the most encouraging British performance was Laura Robson's against Maria Sharapova. Robson, 17, took more games off the Russian than any other player apart from Petra Kvitova, the eventual champion. Robson loves the big stage and should have a great future ahead of her.
Best young overseas talent
Australia had despaired of finding a new male champion until the emergence of Bernard Tomic. The 18-year-old's rich promise was underlined by his victories over Nikolay Davydenko, Igor Andreev, Robin Soderling and Xavier Malisse and by his quarter-final performance against Novak Djokovic, who eventually won in four sets.
Photograph of the tournament
Rafael Nadal was snapped shopping in the fruit and veg department at the local Asda, a bunch of onions in one hand. The Spaniard also walked to the All England Club each day from his rented home, where he would cook in the evenings for his entourage and family. Has there ever been a more humble and down-to-earth sporting superstar?
Most questionable scheduling decision
Serena Williams was unhappy that she and sister Venus both had to play a match out on Court Two, but the most questionable decision of the fortnight was putting Laura Robson's match against Maria Sharapova on Court One when Daniela Hantuchova against Victoria Azarenka was the only women's contest of the day on Centre Court.
Quote of the tournament
"I think it's about time she stopped that nonsense. It's making me throw up. It's disgusting. She'd been writing about it on Twitter all the time." Andy Murray, with tongue perhaps only half in cheek, mocks his mother Judy's admiration for the Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, whom she refers to as "Deliciano".
game, set and stat wimbledon in numbers
11. Singles semi-finals lost by British men since Bunny Austin last prevailed, back in 1938.
108. Aces hit by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the highest. Novak Djokovic hit 61, the eighth-highest, while Sabine Lisicki (44) led the women.
27. Semi-finalist Tsonga also topped the double-fault list, ahead of Feliciano Lopez (22). Maria Sharapova (38) led the women's list.
143. Speed, in mph, of the fastest serve of the tournament, by American Andy Roddick (above).
35. Break points won by Djokovic. The Serb also led the way on first-serve return points (150).
50. Yesterday's victory was Djokovic's 50th in his last 51 matches – with a 48-1 record this year.
21. Djokovic's win brought to an end Rafael Nadal's four-year, 20-game unbeaten record at SW19.
0. Previous occasions on which Roger Federer (below) had lost a Grand Slam match after leading by two sets.
247. People treated by St John Ambulance on the second Monday – when temperatures hit 34C.
18. Age of Bernard Tomic, the youngest men's quarter-finalist since Boris Becker 25 years ago.
8. Different nationalities in the women's singles quarter-finals.
36. Players in the women's draw not born when Kimiko Date-Krumm, 40, made her debut.
542. Difference in minutes between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut's first-round meetings last year (665) and this year (123).
12. Years since neither Williams sister (above) nor Roger Federer made the last four of the singles.
Both look great, 2 amazing champions, I love Petra's dress and look. 
It's sad that it just doesn't seem to happen for him when it counts the most. 
