Adventures In Serenaville

The Saga Continues

FIVE WORDS THAT BRING SMILES TO THE FACES OF THE WTA ESTABLISHMENT: The Wimbledon chair ump utters words we were never sure we would hear again: “Miss Serena Williams to serve” SERENA’S BACK AND SO IS THE POSSIBILITY OF HER PLAYING INDIAN WELLS: Serena has been chatty of late. She told Doug Robson that when [...]

Andy Murray and the British Art of Losing

LONDON— For 73 years a cloud has hung over this island. But this most celebrated island, a civil isle at the heart of civilization, the home of Shakespeare and Churchill, that once created a vast empire, could not even rule its own lawns. The brave people who in war rebuffed an evil European foe, fell in [...]

The Boy of Dreams Who Became the Man of Magic

Djokovic Dominates Nadal for WImbledon Crown 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3

LONDON — The small boy in the towering mountains was lucky. The best coach in all the land landed on his doorstep in his remote, outback village.  The kid, just 7, grabbed the opportunity.  Eager and focused, he covered every detail, showing up early in the morning with a bag, racket, headband and bananas.  Ready [...]

Wimbledon Crown Clearly ‘Kvits’ Petra

A Star Is Born

LONDON — Maria Sharapova was going to be the solution – well the partial solution – to many of woman’s tennis lingering woes. In an era where older players on the reverse side of 25 were dominating, the 24-year old seemed less than creaky. These days no player has been dominating, but at least Sharapova, a [...]

Wimbledon: Bryan Bros. In 11th Heaven

Californians Equal Woodies With 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(2) Win Over Lindstedt/Tecau

The Bryan Bros. pocketed their record-tying 11th Slam doubles title on Saturday with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(2) win over the No. 8-seeded duo of Robert Lindstedt/Horia Tecau, equaling the standard of Todd Woodbridge/Mark Woodforde.  The win came after by-the-skin-of-their-teeth decisions over Simon Aspelin/Paul Hanley in the fourth round (16-14 in the fifth) and Michael Llodra/Nenad [...]

Czech, Please

Martina Navratilova On Kvitova, Sharapova and a Wimbledon Without the Williamses

Nine-time Wimbledon champ Martina Navratilova, one of the greatest lefthanders ever to grace the lawns of the All England Club, spoke with reporters on Thursday about another lefty from the Czech Republic — first-time finalist Petra Kvitova — and the resurgent Russo-American Maria Sharapova, who will face off on Saturday for the Venus Rosewater Dish.  Here are a [...]

Wimbledon: A Shout Out For Sharapova

A Tale of Two Euros

LONDON — At first glance they are just the same.  Wimbledon finalists Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova are prototypical Big Babe, first strike tennis stars. Broad shoulders, great height (over six feet si vous plait), blonde hair, strong (better on the backhand wing) groundies, mean unkind serves, suspect wheels, Eastern European heritage, disappointing French Open [...]

Victory Tsonga: Jo-Wilfried Shocks Federer

A Stunning Wimbledon Triumph

LONDON — There seemed to be a certain order to the Wimbledon men’s semis. It wasn’t just that old school types were flying their flags. For the first time since ‘04 a Grand Slam quarterfinal had players from all four of the true blue Grand Slam host nations – Britain’s Andy Murray, American Mardy Fish, Frenchman [...]

The Rumble Above, the Rumble Below

Wimbledon Buzz

LONDON — The critics were certain. Putting a clunky old roof on Wimbledon’s beloved Centre Court would ruin it all, they shouted. Centre Court – so pure, the atmosphere cannot be tainted. It’s tennis’ grand cathedral, open to the skies. Enclosing it will destroy its pristine purity. Phooey!

Kings of the Future and Kings of the Past

Wimbledon: Second Monday

LONDON — It was a so-so Wimbledon for celebrities. Diana Ross, who used to head the Supremes, and Camila the Duchess of Cornwall, who was once shunned by the Royals, headed the A-list. But on this second Monday of the Championships (arguably the best day in tennis all year), not only pop queen Beyonce but [...]