TenAce Anyone

Wimbledon this year lived up to its billing in all respects. I personally like tennis doubles and while i was disappointed the Bryans didn't make it to the finals they still made it to the mixed doubles final and faced each other. Mike was teamed with Ekatarina Srebotnik and was the number one seed. They lost the final to Bob who teamed with Samantha Stosur. The mens final was won by Zimonjic and Nestor who beat the team that topped the Bryans in the semis - Ullyet and Bjorkman. Jonas Bjorkman is retiring and that may have been motivation enough to knock off the Bryans.

The women had plenty of drama. Venus played Serena for the title and it was a magnificent power game. They two have, not surprisingly, played pretty even over the years. Venus seems to have her heart set on Wimbledon and rose to the occasion to win for the 5th time here. Then the sisters teamed to steamroll Raymond and Stosur who are what you could call doubles specialists 6-2,6-2.

Yes, we haven't forgotten the mens final. It has joined the ranks of tennis classics as some are arguing it was the greatest tennis match ever played. No one is arguing that it was the longest. Nadal pried the crown away from Roger Federer's stiff fingers as dusk began to settle on the court 6-4,6-4,6-7,6-7, 9-7. I am thankful the majors still play best of five sets so this one could go down as one of the great matches for the ages.

All those prognosticators who picked these two to make the final must have been happy and all those who didn't pick them to make the final must have been happy, too. It was not a bad finale. What happens next? I don't think this will be the last we see of these two in the final of this and other tournaments. They both will win more majors and one or both will break Pete Sampras record of 14 grand slams.

What say you?

Not a Bad Finale

I agree with all your comments on this years Wimbledon. The odd thing was that the Williams sisters had to play the women's doubles final the same day they played the women's single finals. They usually play it the day of the men's single final. If they want more single players to play doubles, they don't need that kind of schedule. Fortunately they won.

The rain delays and playing after 9 PM London time took some of the greatness of that men's final for me. Nadel serving with new tennis balls with the lack of daylight does not seem fair. I guess I am bias because I was rooting for Federer to come back from 2 sets down all the way to win it. How great would that men's single final be if they had to take 2 days to finish it because of darkness ?

Well the rain delays helped both players. At different times, it seemed to help the person that was down a bit.

My last comment about Nadel is that the way he never gave up on ANY ball reminded me of Michael Chang and his never die attitude on the court. The exception is that Nadel is so much stronger, hits so much harder, has a better serve and is left handed. Now if Nadel can stop that silly thing he has about chewing on the trophies he wins, I can root for that guy.

After all was said and done Roger Federer showed he was a true class guy in defeat being very gracious and humble about what just happened to him.

Not a Bad Finale

The only thing that bothers me about Nadal is his picking at his shorts. He needs to change his wardrobe to one that fits. I do appreciate the respect these two have for each other. I haven't been rooting for Roger for the same reason I have a hard time rooting for Tiger Woods. It seems like a sure thing. Just like Woods though Roger is a class act. Wow though, what a final. I can't say new balls and darkness helped Nadal win that last game. After all, he hadn't lost a serve since the second set. Roger lost his game on a momentary lapse on two points. You have to think Rafa was just in a little better condition. Five sets at this level is pretty grueling. If they had pushed it to a second day Roger probably would have won with the extra rest. Not a bad finale.

Not a Bad Finale

I don't watch tennis on TV much but turned it on right after the second set and couldn't turn it off. That was the best tennis I have ever seen and was worth missing a beautiful sunny day outside. I was rooting for Nadal, simply because I tend to go for (what seems to be) the underdog when I don't already have a favorite.

I had to laugh at your comment about him pulling at his shorts....while I admit I definitely noticed Nadal's butt early on, that was a bit of a distraction. He was so impressive.....besides all of the other factors - playing against the best, long day, etc...he didn't even let a really bad wedgie stop him from winning!!

Not a Bad Finale

Thanks for the comments flygirl. It seems a lot of people noticed this final. I think tennis is a great sport. It can have a lot of skill and drama. I still prefer doubles. I was watching the men's doubles final with someone who doesn't usually watch tennis and at first they thought doubles was just a lot of big serves. I pointed out the strategy of poaching and the communication between the partners and this person really started getting into it. The networks don't show much doubles. It's probably because the network execs don't understand it. Consequently the public doesn't see much so they don't understand it. Glad you could catch this final. I will be watching a lot of these Wimbledon matches because i have a subscription to it. (24.99 for the year at Wimbledon.org). No, i don't get a commission. You get to see the whole matches not just the highlights. Take care.

d2w Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 21, 2006	Posted on: July 7, 2008 8:37 pm Score: 93 Not a Bad Finale I agree with all your comments on this years Wimbledon. The odd thing was that the Williams sisters had to play the women's doubles final the same day they played the women's single finals. They usually play it the day of the men's single final. If they want more single players to play doubles, they don't need that kind of schedule. Fortunately they won. The rain delays and playing after 9 PM London time took some of the greatness of that men's final for me. Nadel serving with new tennis balls with the lack of daylight does not seem fair. I guess I am bias because I was rooting for Federer to come back from 2 sets down all the way to win it. How great would that men's single final be if they had to take 2 days to finish it because of darkness ? Well the rain delays helped both players. At different times, it seemed to help the person that was down a bit. My last comment about Nadel is that the way he never gave up on ANY ball reminded me of Michael Chang and his never die attitude on the court. The exception is that Nadel is so much stronger, hits so much harder, has a better serve and is left handed. Now if Nadel can stop that silly thing he has about chewing on the trophies he wins, I can root for that guy. After all was said and done Roger Federer showed he was a true class guy in defeat being very gracious and humble about what just happened to him. [ Reply to Comment ]
BlueCollarIT Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 13, 2006	Posted on: July 8, 2008 9:31 am Score: 92 Not a Bad Finale The only thing that bothers me about Nadal is his picking at his shorts. He needs to change his wardrobe to one that fits. I do appreciate the respect these two have for each other. I haven't been rooting for Roger for the same reason I have a hard time rooting for Tiger Woods. It seems like a sure thing. Just like Woods though Roger is a class act. Wow though, what a final. I can't say new balls and darkness helped Nadal win that last game. After all, he hadn't lost a serve since the second set. Roger lost his game on a momentary lapse on two points. You have to think Rafa was just in a little better condition. Five sets at this level is pretty grueling. If they had pushed it to a second day Roger probably would have won with the extra rest. Not a bad finale. [ Reply to Comment ]
Flygirl Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 18, 2007	Posted on: July 8, 2008 1:15 pm Score: 90 Not a Bad Finale I don't watch tennis on TV much but turned it on right after the second set and couldn't turn it off. That was the best tennis I have ever seen and was worth missing a beautiful sunny day outside. I was rooting for Nadal, simply because I tend to go for (what seems to be) the underdog when I don't already have a favorite. I had to laugh at your comment about him pulling at his shorts....while I admit I definitely noticed Nadal's butt early on, that was a bit of a distraction. He was so impressive.....besides all of the other factors - playing against the best, long day, etc...he didn't even let a really bad wedgie stop him from winning!! [ Reply to Comment ]
BlueCollarIT Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 13, 2006	Posted on: July 9, 2008 9:06 am Score: 92 Not a Bad Finale Thanks for the comments flygirl. It seems a lot of people noticed this final. I think tennis is a great sport. It can have a lot of skill and drama. I still prefer doubles. I was watching the men's doubles final with someone who doesn't usually watch tennis and at first they thought doubles was just a lot of big serves. I pointed out the strategy of poaching and the communication between the partners and this person really started getting into it. The networks don't show much doubles. It's probably because the network execs don't understand it. Consequently the public doesn't see much so they don't understand it. Glad you could catch this final. I will be watching a lot of these Wimbledon matches because i have a subscription to it. (24.99 for the year at Wimbledon.org). No, i don't get a commission. You get to see the whole matches not just the highlights. Take care. [ Reply to Comment ]

BlueCollarIT

Not a Bad Finale

Not a Bad Finale

Not a Bad Finale

Not a Bad Finale

Not a Bad Finale