Well Wimbledon has ended . And with a triumphant Serena Williams having won the women’s singles title in defeating her elder sibling Venus Williams 7-6(3), 6-2, in two rather compelling and riveting sets. It can be said that women’s tennis now finds itself in good standing. Unfortunately, the WTA rankings would suggest otherwise at this juncture with the idiotic notion that Dinara Safina still remains ranked #1 , with Serena now ranked #2.
The 2009 Men's and Women's singles champions at Wimbledon Roger Federer (left) and Serena Williams. This was part of the post celebratory event known as the Champions' dinner held at the Intercontinental Hotel , Park Lane, in London. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Martin Pool ..................
It may well be that the WTA doesn’t always look at the results when coming to the assumption of the makeup of its rankings. Especially when it comes to the Grand Slam tournament events anyway. They however state that the rankings are indicative of the year’s commitment and form of the players. But then again the Grand Slam events are in-fact what essentially makes up the most productive part of the WTA’s calendar in terms of the interest shown by the attendance, tv audience and by the fans of the sport in general.
Serena Williams having just defeated her sister Venus Williams in the women's singles finals at Wimbledon 7-6(3), 6-2 to secure her third Wimbledon singles title and her 11th Grand Slam singles title overall. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Carl de Souza .......................
On the men’s side of the draw in the finals. We had the privilege of being part of one of the truly great finals of the modern era. There, we saw world #2 Roger Federer take on Andy Roddick in what truly was an epic event. What the fans encountered and witnessed bordered on being sublime as a well as riveting in terms of sheer raw emotion , passion and everything that these two brilliant players could muster up on a Sunday afternoon.
Those who were privileged enough to be in attendance witnessed a match that was thrilling and where both players gave it their all. Wherein at the end of it all absolutely nothing was left to give of themselves physically. A match that lasted in excess of five hours and a total of 78 games . And wherein the fifth set alone was the fifth longest of the modern era, encompassing thirty games in the deciding set which took 90 minutes to complete.
The realization ofa triumph as Federer acknowledges his feat and accepts the acclaim and applause forthcoming from the crowd. His five set thrilling victory over Andy Roddick sets a number of Wimbledon singles' finals records. The five set epic , 5-7, 7-6,7-6,3-6, 16-14, produced all of the excitment that one would expect . picture appears courtesy of getty images /Paul Gilham ......................
This epic produced by Federer and Roddick will go down in the annals of tennis history. And the result speaks for itself as to how thrilling this men’s singles finals was in its being. The match ebbed and flowed like the currents of of a stream. And at the end of it all both men slumped to the ground after their physical excesses. The undeniable fact was that the better man prevailed on the day. But it’d be remis to think that the 5-7, 7-6(8-6),7-6 (7-5),3-6, 16-14 , result won by Federer wasn’t duly also also contributed by the valiant efforts of Andy Roddick. He was noble in defeat and if anything it may well have garnered him a new circle of fans.
Federer pictured second from the right is joined by former champions Bjorn Borg (left), Pete Sampras (center ) and to the far right Rod Laver. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Martin Pool ....................
Certainly there were no villains to be found in this thrilling masterpiece. If anything it was about two heroic figures who had a great deal of respect for each other. And that reverence was shown in the way that they allowed their appreciation to manfest itself for each other at the end of the match. The speeches were congratulatry and reciprocated as to the efforts put forth by each.
A solemn Andy Roddick looks on as Federer is given the due acclaim worthy of a champion as he accepts his trophy. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Martin Pool ...............
Now with but one remaining Grand Slam championship to be played as part of the Grand Slam calendar year. The US Open from Flushing, New York , takes on a life of its own . And it will have a great deal to live up to in terms of sheer excitement and drama provided. If we are provided with only half the excitement exhibited by both the men’s and women’s singles finals at Wimbledon. Then we’ll most certainly be in for a terrific treat !
