Review Wimbledon

Excuse me, I am sorry, I speak as an Englishman. For the game of lawn

tennis, there is no better symbol at Wimbledon. The place where the

game a's flame was sparked, where so many spines have sat straight

and tingled, Wimbledon. Where strawberries and cream have

traditionally been sample been, children's eyes have been lit up

and their cheeks have been dimpled in. Top seeds have stumbled have

tumbled and been humbled in. Wimbledon. Where home-grown heroes

hopes have swelled up and dwindled in. Wimbledon. The Grand Slam's

Best of breed, it is that this, where physics expresses its fears,

there is one word for tennis, and And then 120 pauper Wimbledon

challenge Hibs will stop the defending champion opens

proceedings - the 124 of Wimbledon Championships. I have got it used

to that pressure over the years. It has become part of our lives,

facing pressure. A break points are the most simple ones, but the

leading into the tournament, what is on the line and playing for the

history books, trying to equal Pete Sampras, it is something that

everybody would want to do. I would like to do that. I have the big

honour to opened the court, where the campaign starts and it is where

my focus lies. Roger Federer to serve. Ready, play. If the Swiss

does not too early exit sad Wimbledon and his first round

opponent had never progressed beyond the second round. But could

the tournament the beginning with the biggest shot - a shock of all.

The first set to the Colombian. Into the second. Three games all,

Two sets dam, four games all. Federer did not need and: bell to

In the last decade, no player has moved with great athleticism or

implacable purpose across the most One game later, it was the

Colombian under pressure. 15,000 spectators collectively held their

CHEERING. Safety for the champion was only

temporary. The Colombian have refused to buckle. Hadn't broken

early in the 4th set, he was serving for the match and Federer

stood unbelievably three points But a legend under pressure and you

are guaranteed something special. - CHEERING.

The match would go to a decider. It was the first time Federer had been

taken to five sets in the opening round since first being chair and -

Grand windy and - ground Wimbledon champion in 2003. Normality

Even those undeniably blessed with brilliance are occasionally felt to

feel mere mortals. If you why used to being down your whole life, it

is normal, but for me it is not normal to be down two sets to love

at Wimbledon. But I was able to find a way and that is what is

important. It doesn't matter how I important. It doesn't matter how I

felt out there. I didn't feel great, As afternoon turned into the

evening, Novak Djokovic made Wimbledon history, although not in

the way he would have wanted. Ladies and gentlemen, play is

suspended. We will close the roof of. The number three seed had just

dropped the third set to his Belgian opponent, and was trading

won the tournament referee declared the group should be closed to

The disgruntled serve did not look much happier after a 40 minute

hiatus. His touch seemed to have disappeared with a light as

unforced errors grew. Meanwhile, his opponent, playing his final

Wimbledon, was determined not to be left in the shadows. But Djokovic

One last service winner saw Djokovic through. But knowing it

had been too close to comfort, he acknowledged that a little

assistance from on high had been necessary. The match will go down

as the latest ever finished on After a surfeit up initial drama

and tension, it is time for someone to demonstrate authority on Day 2

of the Championships. Enter the Women's defending champion, Serena

Williams, did begin her claws. - begin. 15 aces in 63 minutes.

Emphatic was the 6-0, 6-4 win over Order had been restored. I don't

put any pressure on myself. I am my toughest opponent and whenever I

lose, it is my fault. I stayed lose, it is my fault. I stayed

relaxed than do the best that I can. Hopefully, that will be winning,

and if not, there is always Venus Williams. All the clothes conscious

Williams sisters, the fashion stakes are always high. Fashion in

women's tennis is now de rigueur, none more so than at Wimbledon,

which has now been a catwalk for women's fashion in tennis for

longer than people realise. At the 1949 Championships, Moran caused a

stir by play it - playing in an outfit of silk panties. In 1971, at

19-year-old Australian defeated her illustrious compatriot Margaret

Court in the ladies' final. The Yvonne good luck on or a tingling

creation as she fulfilled a childhood ambition. At about seven

or raid, I read a story called Princess magazine. - 8. It was

about a young girl who was trained at Wimbledon where she played on a

magical Centre Court and one. I didn't find out until later that

this place was for real. For that was absolutely a dream come true.

To be able to win it for the first time. Nine years later, she won the

title again. She defeated Chris Evert Lloyd. In 2010, at the bond

is back at the All-England Club as a special guest - Yvonne. Wimbledon

tickets, this way. You have made it, you have a ride. - a ripe. At the

Federer's day one fright against someone he was supposed to beat

with ease, the tennis faithful were keen that no such problems would

add her for the future popular 2008 They don't come rough up or tougher

than Rafa Nadal, one man the street gang have has come to reclaim his

turf. I n well, Achilles knees. Off court, humble and soft talking,

considers no one beneath him, while his rivals hope to lift the trophy,

Knee injuries truly decreed that Rafa Nadal could not defend the

title he won in what many regard as the greatest match of them all. He

made up for lost time against the CHEERING.

Day three, court 18, round one. America's John Isner versus the

Frenchman Nicolas Mahut. A match carried over from Tuesday when a

light run-out at two sets all. Routine, many would have said as

the 5th set commenced. Little did anyone know what was to follow.

There seemed that no end to the contest. Serve followed serve, ace

followed ace, as the umpire announced game followed game

followed game. 44 games all, final set. 50 games all. For the

unfinished 5th set had already unfinished 5th set had already

stretched further than the previous 59 games all. End of Wimbledon

Library, Chief historian Allan Little was gearing up for a major

rewrite of his record books. Both players came off court at 59 games

all. They would return the following afternoon to resume a

It is the morning of Thursday 24th June 1920 10. The All-England Club

is preparing for a very special day - June the 2010. Her Majesty the

Queen will be visiting the Championships for the first time in

33 years. We will be showing the Queen what we call the picnic

terrace and the big screen, so the general public will have greater

access to her, so they can see our Queen. I have invited the top seeds

in the men's and Ladies' Singles to come out. They have all been

delighted to do so. And also one or two of the golden oldies. As Her

Majesty approached the members' lawn, the sum and tennis gentry

took their places for an appointment with loyal tree - the

sum under tennis gentry took their places for an appointment with

Venus Williams and Roger Federer joined other special guests for

lunch with Her Majesty. All around the grounds, there was a buzz of

excitement and the Centre Court crowds are prepared for an extra

special afternoon. The Queen took their place in the Royal Box,

joining pasta British players and notable champions. Virginia Wade

bus that stirred some memories. She won the Ladies' final in 1977, when

Her Majesty last visited the Championships. This time, the

honour of playing before the Queen was given to 4th seed Andy Murray.

Both players were observing tradition and bowed before the

The match was an impressive display from the Scot, whose build up to

the Championships had not been as the Championships had not been as

impressive as the year previously. But 74 years is a long time since

the winner of Fred Perry at Wimbledon. But the Queen watching

the great British hope, only the best would do. Andy Murray did his

duty. On court 18, tennis fans packed out the 782 seat arena to

witness history in the making. John Isner and Nicolas Mahut resumed

their epic encounter. They had already played 163 games. Thursdays

started like Wednesday ended. Their service game prevailed. Someone,

sometime, some day had to falter in a match that explored the limits of

physical and mental endurance. Eventually, it was Nicolas Mahut.

After serving to stay in the match for the 65th time, luck deserted

him. The greatest match ever as an emotionally decimated Nicolas Mahut

called it, broke all records. 215 aces. The court clock ended 11

hours and five minutes after it hours and five minutes after it

began. Nothing like this will happen again. It is pretty neat. I

am glad my name and his name will am glad my name and his name will

go down in the record books. I am happy to be a part of it. In 2010,

Wimbledon welcomed back to former world No. 1 players. Belgium's

Justine Henan and Kim Clijsters had been absent from the Championships

for two and three years respectively, having gone

temporarily into retirement. Wimbledon, you have the grass and

beautiful flowers. It is a very cosy tournament. That is what you

feel from the beginning, as you walk in, whether it is Centre Court

or the practice courts. The history is there and you really feel it.

There is something very special about the British crowns. I love

these islands between the points up. -- the British crowd at. You have

this support, and you just give your best to show them good tennis,

because they deserve it. The long- time rivals had made it through to

the last 16. The draw brought them together to fight for a place in

the quarter-finals. While I focused on playing grass-court tennis, and

I am capable of doing it, I have done well and made a few semi-

finals. I never gave myself the opportunity to get further. That is

hopefully what I will try to do this year. I never thought it would

happen. I thought that tennis was behind me and I would not be back

again. Justine Henan, four times French Open champion, only return

to competition in January and almost immediately reach the final

of the Australian Open. She claimed Kim Clijsters had lost out in their

only previous Wimbledon encounter. After giving birth to her daughter,

she won last year's US Open title. She snatched dominance to level the

It was now a battle royal between two contestants who knew each

other's game inside out. Fitness would be crucial and Justine Henan

found hers in bed after a fall. -- The 25th match of their rivalry saw

Kim Clijsters the victor, and move ahead in an enticing head to head.

The round of 16 saw other big names tumble. The delight for Danish

teenager Caroline Wozniacki was the US Open finalist and had not

dropped a set until meeting oil. Two previous visits -- Petra could

She registered a first ever Grand UMPIRE: Ladies and gentlemen,

Jelena Jankovic has to retire. fourth seed could be forgiven for

thinking that nobody wants her to meet the final -- make the final.

Again it she missed out on the second Monday. Vera Zvonareva made

sure the trend took another turn for the worse. Grass has never been

a favourite surface of Vera Zvonareva. But she exercised her

own demons and made an intriguing prospect in the quarters. The

Centre Court crowd was treated to a clash of great champions in the

round of 16. Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. The Russians

banged to acclaim as the 17-year- old star let he denied the American

a hat-trick of Wimbledon titles. Their encounter was an enticing

prospect. The signs were good that Maria Sharapova had recovered from

the shoulder problems that threatened her career. She seemed

in on tent -- she seemed intent on matching Serena Williams. The tie-

break, the first they had ever Maria Sharapova fell behind 3-1,

only to get five of the next six At a set point, she squandered the

opportunity and two more before an agonising double fault set up

Serena Williams for heroin third A 13th ace to did the job. -- it

did the job. When Serena Williams broke for a 2-1 lead in the second

set, it signalled a joyous march to the last date for those supporting

the champion. For those who wanted to see Maria Sharapova contending

for major prizes, there was reason Wimbledon's old and demolished

Court Number Two was nicknamed the graveyard of champions. Caroline

Wozniacki was a casualty of the new arena and soon a male contender

would follow suit. Last year's Peter finalist Andy Roddick was one

of the contenders to reach the latter stages. The fifth seed's

opponent in the fourth round was Roddick unleashed a fuselage of 38

The American took the first set 6-4, but when Yen-Hsun Lu was gifted a

Another Roddick double fault in the third set tie-break, another set

point at 4 Yen-Hsun Lu. A pattern was forming. -- set point for Yen-

Hsun Lu. He converted and lead by 2-1. Andy Roddick was in dire

straits. He trailed 3-0 in the third tie-break of. He managed to

work his way back and levelled the match. -- the third tie-break. Now,

his reputation and past glory counted for nothing. There was

almost nothing between the two men in this contest. Despite his lack

of experience, Yen-Hsun Lu was called, calm and collected. -- cool.

He found himself at match point on And, with a final flashing forehand

pass, Yen-Hsun Lu was the first person from Taiwan up to reach the

last eight of a Grand Slam. More I remember sitting with my father

to watch this tournament. At the time, we made a joke. If I could

one day play this tournament. How good is this? Men's quarter-finals

day. The nation expects. The hopes are up. The sharp pencils are out.

Can he end an in-patient nation's trophy drought. We do not know how

it feels, such expectation. One person's shackle is another's spur.

The pressure is on. Although it cannot be gauged in long game, at

the public's first can only be assuaged with victory. Fred Perry

on his plinth. He reminds us we high expectation holders, some of

the reach greatness standing on the backs of chimes, some with giants

pressing on their shoulders. -- giants. Nothing less will do ban

outright victory. Then we will say, Bravo. Fred Perry won three. The

defending champion would take centre-stage before the British

number one. Roger Federer was, as he prepared for his eighth

consecutive quarter final at Wimbledon. He had not lost one of

those. This time, his opponent was Roger Federer's aim was a record

equalling 7th title to tie with Pete Sampras. Tomas Berdych had yet

to reach the final of a Grand Slam. He is built for a big game. He

stands 6 ft 5 inches with a big serve and powerful ground strokes.

It did not matter that his previous four victims were not ranked higher

than 70. The Czech was dangerous. That was all he needed to capture

the opening set at 6-4. He threatened Roger Federer and was

prepared to suffer the consequences. And then, 6-3 to level the match.

Were the crowd correct in assuming that Roger Federer had regained

control? Giants do not lie down comfortably. Tomas Berdych raced up

to a 3-0 lead in the third set. Eight champion's ability to fight

back from positions of adversity, but on this occasion, Roger Federer

was no more than fodder. Tomas Berdych was relentless. He blazed

the third set 6-1. Roger Federer looked shaky on day one. This time,

he appeared racked with an ease. He squandered four break points. Like

everybody else, Tomas Berdych knew everything was not right across the

net. He registered be conclusive break of serve. Roger Federer was

playing with back and it leg problems. Not a lot of people knew

that! Tomas Berdych was impregnable. What a shot could be more fitting

to complete the most momentous win of his life than a huge forehand?

The champion a was out. The inevitable scrutiny of the media

was to follow. Roger Federer, he will begin with questions in

English. I am unhappy with the way I am playing. I am struggling with

a back and let the issue. Can you get back to a position of

domination in tennis? I do think The prospect of a men's final

without Federer seems a strange one. Do you think you will tune? I don't

think so. Meanwhile on the other side of the draw, the world number

one was now the de facto favourite to purr loin another jewel from

Federer's treasure trove. Nadal has Brayed a Third Round crisis against

Petzchner but the Spaniard showed he was back to his best next time

out. Three matches remain and somebody who knows the Ruth to

victory liked the signs he's saw. He is mie kind of guy. I like a guy

who grinds and gives it everything he has on every point. He is not

afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, to let the fans see it, the

way he is feeling, nothing goes just right all the time on a tennis

court. And for him to show that and have the fans come into his home.

When he is down on that court, that is his ground, that is his house.

Number one court will be Rafa's turf for a rematch with Robin

Soderling. 23 days had elapsed since they met in the French Open

where the Swede beat Federer and Berdych. Three years previously

mutual respect was hardly prevalent in a bad tempered Wimbledon

exchange. It was a much anticipated What is the nicest sound to hear

coming across from Centre Court? When you are on number one and

trailing 5-0 in the opening set. How about the shockwaves announcing

Federer's exit from the Championship. Soedling needed no

inspiration. At the start of the second set, a dispute with the

umpire clearly rattled Rafa. But he held his nerve, and his sever. --

Stoke determination drove the man from Majorca to level the match. If

Federer was preparing to pack his bags and go, Nadal was fight not to

follow. So it proved. After winning the third set in a tie-break Nadal

romped to the fourth by dropping Every one of his wins merits joyous

celebration but his relief at the The second week of a slam is no

time for sentiment. The story of Yen Hsun Lu was cheery but destined

to conclude. Djokovic destroyed the man from Taiwan in three straight

and brutal sets. The Serb looked hungry -- hungry for a second title.

He was in the title zone. His next opponent Berdych. Andy Murray

hadn't dropped a set coming into his quarterfinal against Jo-Wilfred

Tsonga. The tenth seed from France wasn't just Murray's highest ranked

opponent so far, he was by far the most powerful. It is easy to see

why Tsonga's nickname is Muhammad Ali and in the opening set they

matched each other blow for blow but it was the Frenchman who drew

first blood. Murray lost his first set of the Championships. The

second was again close. Extending to a tie-break. Tsonga seemed in

control at 5-4 with serves to follow, but in a match changing

moment he handed a gift to the Scot. Murray then took control. Winning

the next two sets with ease. But in the semi, Nadal now lay in wait.

plays great tennis here and psychologically, I need to believe

that I can win the match, and that's the most important thing.

Was he finally the man to succeed Fred Perry? New balls please.

enabled procedure perfecters, designer labels, towel collectors.

Part of the Wimbledon whir and hum. The great unsung. For midiblyed

byable young retainers, daydream refrainers, well drilled oiled cogs,

old tricks new dogs, champion s, superscooper, stooping scuttler,

statues on stand by border patrollers, high handed server

loader, the better they do it the less we notice. Venus Williams

looked every times the five times champion as she progressed without

any significant challenge. Things were to change in the last eight.

Pervez Mir had never gone beyond the -- pirn co-have a. The second

seed was out of sort, making errors. Pirn co-have a showed no sign of

nerves b the score line of 6-2, 6-3 was fully deserved. I tried to be

as calm as possible and not really think about hour titles and her

name. I tried to see her as a tennis player, and I was feeling

confident so I am happy I played this well, in that I won and I am

in the semifinals now. How many of the number one court crowd has

heard of her. Sport is all about surprise, and the pair produced an

epic that lasted two-and-a-half In the semifinal, the Czech would

face the defending champion who wasted little time on Centre Court.

Serena Williams was through to the last four for the seventh time at

Wimbledon. The Kim Clijsters encounter was not so clear-cut. It

was suggested the Belgian would come out on top. She won the first

set. But the Russian refused to submit. Levelled, and in the

deciding third set Kim Clijsters was visibly struggling. Her

opponent took advantage and reached her first Wimbledon semifinal. The

Championships reached the business end of the tournament. Thomas

Berdych would be the surprise package in the men's final. The

Czech powerhouse barely allowed Novak Djokovic to draw breath in

two hours and 18 minutes. After the appetiser came the main course, and

big names were there for the feast. To the dismay of English icons and

every other British sports fan, Andy Murray's title hopes were

incinerated by a gathering fire from ma owe ka. -- Majorca. The

Scot did not play badly but Nadal There was little between both

players and in three close sets but when it came to the crunch moments

Nadal has more awareness, more determination and more ruthlessness

to identify them and make them go Rafael Nadal was a Wimbledon

finalist for the fourth time. Another player more famous had

words of encouragement. Go for it, play your best tennis, play the

tennis you know how to play. Don't try to do anything special. You are

not playing Wimbledon, you are playing the ball. Just play the

ball. She was not overaud but Serena demonstrated why many

believe she is the most forceful tennis female of all time. She was

through to her sixth Wimbledon final. Nerves were always going to

be an overriding issue in the other semifinal, with both contestants in

unusual territory. One was more experienced and after a hard fought

tussle it was the Russian who was I always believe in myself, if I am

able to produce the best tennis, I am able to beat anyone on the other

side of the net. Will try and play the best tennis. It honours even

could the up shot be an upset. She won't play Serena but Serena's

mighty aura, this can mean Serena seem a better prospect. It is a

best bet, take the battle to Serena and unsettle her opponent. Grasp

the nettle. Williams and Vera Zvonareva, honour all to play for.

Vera Zvonareva had it all to play for in her first Grand Slam final.

Her opponent was sizing up a major singles trophy for the 16th time.

There is a lot of nerves if you haven't been through it. You try to

imagine because you have watched other players go through it what it

will feel like. The thing you try to do if you can is to come back to,

it is still a tennis court, it is still, you know, you still have to

stay in the process, you know, one ball at a time. Not one point, but

one ball at a time. If you can wrap your head round that, then you do

have an opportunity, but I think the person that has more experience

in this case, definitely has an advantage. Billy jien gene king was

bracing herself. If Serena won her 13th Grand Slam title she would

overtaker in the record books. The task for Vera Zvonareva could not

have been more daunting. She was the second lowest ranked ladies

finalist ever while Williams had yet to drop a set. But early on she

more than stood up to the Williams' After six game, the score board

read three games all but Serena decided the time was right to

change up a couple of gears, and overtook her opponent in the fast

The Russian did not win another Point-by-point, Serena pummel and

pushed Vera Zvonareva into submission with a relentless

barrage. She unleashed a She underlined the assertion the

women -- Williams sisters haven't just raised the bar in the women's

game, instead they have smashed it Game, set match Miss Williams.

fourth one feels just as special as the first one. Every time you are

out there and take in that court you think of the hard work, and to

win it is a really really, just amazing thing. Vera Zvonareva was

no more fortunate in the women's doubles final. The men's title went

to Austria's melzer and Petzchner. The mixed doubles Championship was

won by Pace and Black. It's a lawn, just a lawn, but it is more than a

lawn, a dance floor, a war zone, a platform, a stage, showcase,

Colosseum, a ring, a fight cage. Big top, debating hall, combat

arena, goldfish bowl. Cauldron, a cliche convener, Petrie dish,

pressure cooker, drama provider, physics laboratory, small Hadron

Collider. It is a lawn but one made by the best irregular lawn, a lawn

that is bres blessed, made of grass, possessed of a singular

unparalleled beauty. And every blade of grass is expected to do

its duty. The head ground man and his team had done their duty. It

was time for the men's finalists to take centre stage. Thomas is a

great player. He did amazing against Roger, against Djokovic. So

what he did, it is very important. He has got some experience, you

know, to win the Grand Slam. He has something over me, but, you know, I

am saying same thing as, again, if I am going to play well, be agree -

- aggressive, there is a chance. This tournament is always a dream

for me. When I was a kid. I am very happy for that, I am feel like I'm

going to play another final, and Just as he did three times

previously, Nadal came into the final looking to do what many

believed impossible in 21st century tennis and add the Wimbledon crown

to that he won at the French Open 28 days earlier. How would first

time finalist Berdych, he of the athletic frame and awesome power,

stand up to the tennis machine Nadal broke twice in succession

late in the first set, to take it 6-3. Game and first set, Nadal.

the second, Berdych tried to use his strengths to stay in the hunt.

He came to appreciate there is no Even the man who has long argued he

has the most faultless vision in tennis could not be be leave his be

stackled eyes. In the commentary booth the other in the Royal Box,

both were in admiration of the world number one. The sun continued

to shine, just as it had done Second set to Nadal. The mountain

that stood before the Czech giant was growing taller. Even when

clouds came over, Spanish skill The world number one's remorseful

hitting was too much to contend Simply stunning. Nadal fittingly

clinched his second Wimbledon crown in the incredible style the world

In Nadal's eyes he has finally achieved the title defence he was

cruelly denied by injury a year previously. Every one is special,

just be back on this tournament, it is unbelievable. My life was a

dream to play here and you can imagine now how I feel after

playing four finals and two titles. It is very special feeling, and I