Posts Tagged ‘Rafael’

The End of Wimbledon

Posted: July 4, 2010 in Wimbledon
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
4

Well for once my predictions were right, Serena Williams won the ladies singles and Rafael Nadal won the gents singles. Congratulations to both of them on their championship wins.

I am so pleased for Rafael Nadal. So many people thought his tennis career was over after all his problems last year with tendonitis in his knees. Rafa has certainly proved them all wrong this year by coming back and winning first the French Open at Roland Garros and now Wimbledon. I really hope he continues to look after himself physically so he can continue playing for many more years to come.

For me Rafa’s victory today was summed up by one of my friends who is a Roger Federer fan, she said Rafa deserved his victory but also said “if only he wasn’t so damned likeable”! Rafa is such a great sportsman, always very humble and always remembers to thank the fans for their support – after all, without them he wouldn’t the star he is.

What about the championships at Wimbledon themselves, what was your highlight?

For me it was finalist Tomas Berdych’s victory in the quarter-finals over reining champion Roger Federer. It was a fantastic match which could easily have gone either way, but Berdych just played the best tennis of his life to beat the number 1 seed. Even Berdych’s next game in the semi-finals against the number 3 seed Djokovic, was another great game for him. Many had thought it would be a Federer Nadal final this year, so to see Federer get knocked out by one of the lesser known of the top 20 players, was a big surprise for most people. Well done Berdych, you did fantastic to reach your first Grand Slam final, but Nadal was just too good for you on the day.

Let me know your highlights from this years Wimbledon championships.

Finally I’d just like to say congratulation once again to Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal on their singles success.

Final Wimbledon Predictions

Posted: July 2, 2010 in Wimbledon
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
3

A few days ago in The Wimbledon Factor, I gave you my predictions for Wimbledon 2010, and surprise, surprise my predictions weren’t entirely accurate! I maybe didn’t get both finalists correct in either the ladies or the gents singles, but I did get one finalist correct for each of them!

Men’s Singles

My favourite Rafael Nadal has successfully made it through to the final where he will play the surprise finalist, Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic. After not playing so great in the first week of Wimbledon, Rafael Nadal stepped things up in week two and knocked his opponents out with what looked like relative ease.

So what about Berdych? Who is he? Here’s a few stats about Tomas Berdych:

  • Turned pro - 2002
  • Current world ranking - 13
  • Highest world ranking – 9 in August 2007
  • Best previous performance at Wimbledon – Quarter finals 2007
  • Grand slam championships – 0

Now compare that to Rafael Nadal:

  • Turned pro - 2001
  • Current world ranking - 1
  • Highest world ranking – 1
  • Best previous performance at Wimbledon – Winner in 2008
  • Grand slam championships – 7

On paper, Nadal should walk it on Sunday, but this is Wimbledon, where anything can happen, and in fact it already has – Berdych has already put out Federer and Djokovic both are top ranked players. personally I’m hoping for a Nadal victory on Sunday, but what do you think?

 

Women’s Singles

Personally I can’t see past Serena Williams for the title, but then I did think it would be an all Williams final! Just like the gents singles, the women have an outsider in the final in Vera Zvonareva, against the current number one player in the world.

So what about Zvonareva? Who is she? Here’s a few stats about her:

  • Turned pro - 2000
  • Current world ranking - 21
  • Highest world ranking - 5 in February 2009
  • Best previous performance at Wimbledon – 4th round in 2003 and 2004
  • Grand slam championships – 0

Now compare that to Serena Williams:

  • Turned pro - 1995
  • Current world ranking - 1
  • Highest world ranking – 1
  • Best previous performance at Wimbledon – Winner in 2002, 2003 and 2009
  • Grand slam championships – 12

Just like the gents, on paper, Williams should walk it on Saturday, but what do you think?

The Wimbledon Factor

Posted: June 28, 2010 in Wimbledon
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
4

Up until a few years ago, I was a regular tennis player, playing 3-4 times every week at the tennis club just behind my Mum and Dad’s house. Now, although I’ve been unable to play tennis for a few years, I’m still a big tennis fan, and keep up to date on all the latest tennis news.

So we’re now into week two of Wimbledon 2010. We’ve had a chance to watch all the main competitors play 2 or 3 matches, but who’s going to win the men’s and women’s championships this year?

Men’s Singles

I’m a huge Nadal fan, but do I think he’s going to win this year? I’d love to say yes, but prior to today’s match he seemed to be struggling in his last few matches, going to 5 sets and having to call the trainer on a couple of times . However Nadal seems to be back at his best again today, winning in 3 straight sets. So I hope Nadal is feeling well again and is just reaching his top form at just the right time to win Wimbledon again – I’d love that!

If it’s not Nadal who wins, who else is capable of winning?

Well inevitably there’s Federer, who despite struggling in his opening match (and going to 5 sets), still looks capable of winning this tournament as he definitely has the “Wimbledon Factor” having won here so many times before.

Apart from Federer, I think Soderling has looked very good in his matches, until that is today when he got taken to 5 sets against Ferrer but that may be just the kind of game he needed to get himself geared up to winning his first Wimbledon. Whether Soderling goes all the way or not, I do think he may well have a big say in who eventually wins the championship.

And what about Andy Murray? For me, he’s not good enough to win Wimbledon…yet! However as a fellow Scot, I’d love to see him win, but my heart says it’s not going to happen this year.

Women’s Singles

I think the ladies singles is a bit more clear cut, with the Williams sisters looking far better than any of the other contenders. Personally I think Serena may just edge it, but I suspect it to be close between her and Venus to lift the trophy.

My outsider for the ladies championship is Kim Clijsters, who played really well today to beat her fellow Belgian, Henin, in 3 sets.

 Now It’s Over To You…

So there you go, there’s my predictions for this year’s Wimbledon championships. Do you agree with my predictions? If not, who do you think is going to win?