You were on your game for this one - lots of laughs (Rennae bring libations and a sharp pencil?). And in the risky but entertaining business arena of predicting, you can remain your humble self after opening day as Radacanu dominated Mingge Xu and Anisimova looked like more a contender than a mere mention in a difficult section. As for the fits Foggy gave Alcy, you shouldn't feel too bad on paper, anyway: the guy had lost something like his last 10 matches, including one recently in the first round of a qualifier. And whoever bet Medvedev would keep his uncharacteristic streak going with an early loss in hid third straight major to an uncelebrated frenchman - I bet they are still celebrating with the finest from the region in the champagne tent.
You provided wonderful entertainment for the opening act of this Wimbledon.
A falcon is circling and someone's picking Swiatek to win Wimbledon? Is this The Second Coming? Mere anarchy is loosed upon the field?
(I'd love to see it, though. She did look pretty solid on the grass in Bad Homburg. But I was thinking maybe the fourth round or quarterfinals would be a good showing for her this year.)
Yet more amazing writing always funny very detailed analysis which is handy for us tennis virgins and as always a joy to read. I for one always enjoy your posts and look forward to them and as it’s Wimbledon time for strawberries with cream accompanied by a chilled Pimm’s taking time to say that no Wombles were hurt in this tournament 🏟️
We can forgive not wanting milk in tea, we can forgive Americans who pronounce it Wimblum, but - oh! - the holy of holies is spelt _Centre_ Court. Never heard of this “Center” Court. Can’t find it on the grounds map, sorry.
Hi Andrea, I wondered what you thought about BJ King's recent interview. She said she'd like players to be given permanent numbers to wear on the back of shirts which could be any colour. Basically she' prepared t sacrifice tradition so that tournaments, organisers and players can make much more money. Any thoughts?
No, as I mentioned you'd have a permanent number you would keep. For some special players (Rafa?) numbers could be retired with the player. I don't think Andrea likes to court controversy but for me the idea stinks. BJ King says you could turn the TV on and know immediately who's playing. But it's hardly F1 - there will only ever be 2 players on court at one time (4 max). But with BJ king it's all about money, as if players and organisers don't have enough of it already. What's wrong with tradition? It's what makes Wimbledon special.
that would be an interesting scenario, as numbers in tennis famously change constantly. maybe similar to f1, where last year’s winner gets the option of donning number 1?
Huge fan of your writing and commentary on the Renne Stubbs podcast! A Thing That Might Make You Happy: a crossword I wrote with a tennis theme, out today on Defector. Solve while it’s free! https://defector.com/the-crossword-july-7-tennis-anyone
Hi Andrea. Thanks for another fun and insightful piece. You were right about Raducanu - she was very tense in her match against Xu, even though she came through relatively easily. Her body language was exaggeratedly aggressive, right to the last driveby handshake, even though Xu says she looks up to Emma and tries to emulate her when they're practising together at the UK tennis centre.
Your English is remarkably good for a non-native speaker. But since you're in England, allow me a minor correction to your syntax. You said Zheng is "too good of a player...". Correct English in this circumstance is actually "too good a player..." As a former magazine and newspaper sub-editor, I notice these things. If I was editing your copy, I wouldn't change even another comma.
Insightful pre-match analysis, told as only a player inside this world could do. On another note, and apologies if you've addressed before and I missed it, but men playing 5 and women playing 3 at majors: makes you happy or unhappy, and how come. Ciao!
Just another funny, clever, insightful and detailed analysis from you. Thank you for the time and effort you put in here. It is really appreciated.
You were on your game for this one - lots of laughs (Rennae bring libations and a sharp pencil?). And in the risky but entertaining business arena of predicting, you can remain your humble self after opening day as Radacanu dominated Mingge Xu and Anisimova looked like more a contender than a mere mention in a difficult section. As for the fits Foggy gave Alcy, you shouldn't feel too bad on paper, anyway: the guy had lost something like his last 10 matches, including one recently in the first round of a qualifier. And whoever bet Medvedev would keep his uncharacteristic streak going with an early loss in hid third straight major to an uncelebrated frenchman - I bet they are still celebrating with the finest from the region in the champagne tent.
You provided wonderful entertainment for the opening act of this Wimbledon.
Thank you.
ha! thanks for calling me out on my dodgy predicitions maybe i, too, had too much of the good champagne? p.s. i got badosa right at least
A falcon is circling and someone's picking Swiatek to win Wimbledon? Is this The Second Coming? Mere anarchy is loosed upon the field?
(I'd love to see it, though. She did look pretty solid on the grass in Bad Homburg. But I was thinking maybe the fourth round or quarterfinals would be a good showing for her this year.)
"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same" -Rudyard Kipling
Quiet please! The players are ready. And now we are, too. Thank you for the "if" scenarios!🎾🟢
Yet more amazing writing always funny very detailed analysis which is handy for us tennis virgins and as always a joy to read. I for one always enjoy your posts and look forward to them and as it’s Wimbledon time for strawberries with cream accompanied by a chilled Pimm’s taking time to say that no Wombles were hurt in this tournament 🏟️
We can forgive not wanting milk in tea, we can forgive Americans who pronounce it Wimblum, but - oh! - the holy of holies is spelt _Centre_ Court. Never heard of this “Center” Court. Can’t find it on the grounds map, sorry.
so many unforced errors for miss petkovic!
She should blame her American table mate for silently influencing her spelling 👍
Does Fabio deserve an apology for not being mentioned here as Carlito’s “first tough test”? 😄
technically yes, but i sat through an hour of retirement celebration in rome so in my defense i thought that was it 😂😭
Hahaha fair enough 😆
Hi Andrea, I wondered what you thought about BJ King's recent interview. She said she'd like players to be given permanent numbers to wear on the back of shirts which could be any colour. Basically she' prepared t sacrifice tradition so that tournaments, organisers and players can make much more money. Any thoughts?
Interesting idea. Would it be tied to rankings? I’m sure Novak would want number 1.
No, as I mentioned you'd have a permanent number you would keep. For some special players (Rafa?) numbers could be retired with the player. I don't think Andrea likes to court controversy but for me the idea stinks. BJ King says you could turn the TV on and know immediately who's playing. But it's hardly F1 - there will only ever be 2 players on court at one time (4 max). But with BJ king it's all about money, as if players and organisers don't have enough of it already. What's wrong with tradition? It's what makes Wimbledon special.
that would be an interesting scenario, as numbers in tennis famously change constantly. maybe similar to f1, where last year’s winner gets the option of donning number 1?
Don't worry about the tea. I'm a Brit and drink it with our milk or sugar!
A legend on the court and now a legend of Substack! From the Latin legenda - requiring to be read! Viva Andrea!
Huge fan of your writing and commentary on the Renne Stubbs podcast! A Thing That Might Make You Happy: a crossword I wrote with a tennis theme, out today on Defector. Solve while it’s free! https://defector.com/the-crossword-july-7-tennis-anyone
Finally reading this Tuesday evening and you semi-predicted A LOT of the upsets. Very impressive.
Love love love. As per usual.
So sorry to hear about the Juniors Hotel.
That sounds atrocious.
I do wish I heard your commentary more often.
I’m in Australia.
Hi Andrea. Thanks for another fun and insightful piece. You were right about Raducanu - she was very tense in her match against Xu, even though she came through relatively easily. Her body language was exaggeratedly aggressive, right to the last driveby handshake, even though Xu says she looks up to Emma and tries to emulate her when they're practising together at the UK tennis centre.
Your English is remarkably good for a non-native speaker. But since you're in England, allow me a minor correction to your syntax. You said Zheng is "too good of a player...". Correct English in this circumstance is actually "too good a player..." As a former magazine and newspaper sub-editor, I notice these things. If I was editing your copy, I wouldn't change even another comma.
aahhhh, thank you for this. i had actually no idea so i learned one new thing today!
I hope you are right about Iga. 💙🎾
Insightful pre-match analysis, told as only a player inside this world could do. On another note, and apologies if you've addressed before and I missed it, but men playing 5 and women playing 3 at majors: makes you happy or unhappy, and how come. Ciao!