It took Caroline Wozniacki a while, but she finally met her goal by becoming the No. 1 ranked player in the world. She, of course, was aided by Serena's withdrawal since Wimbledon. To me, it is very sad to see the Williams sisters sidelined. They have been in the mix at the top of the women's game for the past decade! They are American tennis for the ladies. It is good to see the new talent rising but it is hard to imagine a slam without the Sisters - hopefully, they will be back very soon. Great write up!
I like the way the sea seemed to part for Nadal, as all the really tough opposition melted away before he had to meet them. That has to do with "luck" however, which no one seems to include as a key ingredient in winning a slam. You must thank the tennis gods a bit. That, of course, has nothing to do with Nadal. He just faced the players he had to in his draw. But he really had no serious challenger until his final match where he executed, as you point out, with supreme confidence. He had every reason to feel confident. Nadal has enjoyed a supreme run, one of the best ever.
Yes I understand your point - it will be mesmerizing to see if she can do it with the limitations they have placed on her - but to me it is like saying that the 7 footer playing basketball must reduce his height to 6 feet because he has an unnatural advantage over the rest of the field...it is the variety of natural gifts that makes competition just that - competition!! Fascinating debate, though and thanks for bringing it forward!
This is truly a terrifying specter looming on the horizon of women's athletics. Or athletics of either gender for that matter, We are born with certain gifts which make us unique. Some of us may have greater rhythm, greater speed, greater strength or greater resolve. We take our natural gifts into competitive sports and add endurance and skill to our repertoire. The gifts we bring with us - we have no control over. We don't endorse enhancement drugs but to make an athlete limit his or her natural ability to level the playing field is dangerous. Where does it end? Once you step onto that road, there is no end in sight...the indignity of this investigation smacks of racial and gender bias. I was appalled to read about it here and elsewhere! Great writing as usual!
I, of course, wanted to read and comment and am pleased to do so here. It is Murray's greatest opportunity to date. He has the game but will he bring it in full-force? Like you, I have my doubts. If Rafa wins this tournament, then he has truly begun his quest. I think the grass will be easier for him than the hard courts but it is enough to win on grass and clay with one hard court championship already in the bank. That is why Federer wept at the Aussie Open in 2009...if the truth be known!
Looks like Soderling is going down in straights - darn! I expected more from the Swede than this showing!! Nadal wanted this one - bad!!
Excellent read, Rob! Right on target, as the saying goes. Gulbis lit up Rome and made the event exciting. I am hopeful he can excel and add some more fire power to the tour. I was hoping for more from Soderling - but the weather had something to do with his lack of success more than likely. I remain curious to see Federer at Estoril - hopeful for some time on the court - I was pleased to see him advance into the doubles, losing finally to Isner & Querry - who found the conditions too slow after the courts slowed with heavy air and rain to prevail against the Bryans...Hey, I am even becoming a doubles advocate! Great article!
Thanks Rob - Verdasco has indeed been playing well and smart of late! I loved Gulbis in this tournament because he made things very interesting and gave us an interesting angle to pursue!!
I have to say that Rafa's win was definitive and dramatic. He is back, is all!! But his win was over players we all expect him to win against, no? It is good he is playing smarter this year and not killing himself before the French Open--where he needs to regain his edge. Murray was a huge disappointment as was Djokovic. But it was just one tournament. Great read as usual Rob!
Again, great read Marianne! You know I am partial to the PR's and this one has so much flair!!
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