As a fan of Iga Swiatek, I was hoping you were going to tell us you saw another auspicious falcon circling above her this year. Alas. I need some reason for optimism. But I guess "Not no" is something to hang my hopes on.
Incidentally, I can remember at least one other knight who's sat in a tennis player's box: Sean Connery. And who was the player? Andy Murray.
“The World Cup has sucked me in again with all its terrible haircuts”
Too true😂! The sometimes incomprehensible World Cup commentators booth would benefit tremendously from your presence - as far as a tennis comeback suggested by Roger, it would be extremely regrettable to lose you as one of the most enjoyable tennis commentators…
Those cash grabs, i.e. cooling breaks, range from $200 million to $500 million depending on the teams playing. Some say it might be a permanent fixture. These "cooling breaks" amount to more money than the TV rights to broadcast the World Cup. Don't even get me started about the gambling ads that pervade the World Cup and all other sporting events on American TV.
Here we are again at the tennis tournament where white rules in clothing and footwear. Then there is the curfew. However I still enjoy watching it with all the pomp and circumstance. You describe it all with such fluency and humor and insight. May your Wimbledon be enjoyable and relatively warm.
I'm still astonished by Serena here (astonishing the public is her stock in trade, of course). I know she's stuck with the "Why not" mentality of playing again, but singles at Wimbledon is one heck of a ballsy move regardless. Maya Joint hasn't won a match since January, so Serena is facing someone on a serious decline -- though this someone is still 24 years younger. Big serve plus big return will most likely net Serena a win, so we may have to wait until Eala to see how she stacks up to the current crop of young stars.
Most tennis fans remember that Harmony Tan was the last woman to beat Serena at Wimbledon (2022), but do people know that Serena also was bounced out in the first round the previous year, too? It was a retirement against Sasnovich (tied 3-3). You have to go back to 2019 (since COVID took out Wimbledon in 2020) for her last win. She reached the final (lost to Halep, seeded 7th), but she faced 2 qualifiers and seeds 18 and 30 in that tournament.
She got to the Wimby final in 2018, too, also facing 2 Qs and no one in the top 10 (semis Goerges 13, final Kerber 11). Serena last won Wimbledon in 2016, against Kerber (seed 4, the only top 10 in her draw).
You have to go all the way back to 2012 for a tough win -- Serena went through Kvitova (4), Azarenka (2), and Radwanska (4). Of course you can only beat the players put against you, but it is interesting to see how long it has been since she's faced a murderer's row of opponents - 14 long years.
Looking through the tournaments, it makes me think that the likelihood of a charmed draw may be fairly high, since an orderly march towards the second week is apparently the anomaly.
When Wimbledon rolls around I always think (1) “that’s actually a private club there” and (2) Tim Henman is a second generation member, and not because he got to the semis. It’s really the last of its kind
I‘m really rooting for Jessica and Paula right now! I have a feeling they’re gonna rise up more than ever. Soo excited for next week!! My only plan during this heat right now is reading both of your books again :))(ps: agreed, springtime strawberries are waaay better than summertime ones 😌)
As someone who loved Wimbledon from my childhood days and for whom the only tennis we saw on television was Wimbledon and I digress here but It was in in black and white in those days which as scientifically (I may be wrong on this fact) black and white aren't technically colours lol so it was really more shades of grey I still love Wimbledon but I've happily learnt and experienced a lot more about tennis and those who play it since then lol😁. On another note Pimms is nothing like Iced Tea although may be more like a slightly milder version of Long Island Iced Tea lol😁💖
I just finished watching jam lennart struff, having played the match of his life, yet. I would love to congratulate for this extraordinary performance. Leveling up and down smoothly, showing no emotional move. Stoic posture and full focus.
I can not find his personal details to congratulate.
I am a coach on stoicism, spirituality, conduct and communication.
Jan was an unshaken beacon in life’s momentary change and human faultiness and instant learning. (9,9 on scale)
The best tennis writing on this platform. Always a joy to see there's a new entry.
this is high praise, glenn, thank you 🙏🏻
I'm going to take Andrea's advice and grab a pastel dress. But even in these enlightened times, I anticipate getting some odd looks. 😄
As a fan of Iga Swiatek, I was hoping you were going to tell us you saw another auspicious falcon circling above her this year. Alas. I need some reason for optimism. But I guess "Not no" is something to hang my hopes on.
Incidentally, I can remember at least one other knight who's sat in a tennis player's box: Sean Connery. And who was the player? Andy Murray.
“Draw me like one of your French girls”
You know it’s gonna be a great read with a tagline like that….
🧑🍳💋
Yep!
“The World Cup has sucked me in again with all its terrible haircuts”
Too true😂! The sometimes incomprehensible World Cup commentators booth would benefit tremendously from your presence - as far as a tennis comeback suggested by Roger, it would be extremely regrettable to lose you as one of the most enjoyable tennis commentators…
Those cash grabs, i.e. cooling breaks, range from $200 million to $500 million depending on the teams playing. Some say it might be a permanent fixture. These "cooling breaks" amount to more money than the TV rights to broadcast the World Cup. Don't even get me started about the gambling ads that pervade the World Cup and all other sporting events on American TV.
Here we are again at the tennis tournament where white rules in clothing and footwear. Then there is the curfew. However I still enjoy watching it with all the pomp and circumstance. You describe it all with such fluency and humor and insight. May your Wimbledon be enjoyable and relatively warm.
I'm still astonished by Serena here (astonishing the public is her stock in trade, of course). I know she's stuck with the "Why not" mentality of playing again, but singles at Wimbledon is one heck of a ballsy move regardless. Maya Joint hasn't won a match since January, so Serena is facing someone on a serious decline -- though this someone is still 24 years younger. Big serve plus big return will most likely net Serena a win, so we may have to wait until Eala to see how she stacks up to the current crop of young stars.
Most tennis fans remember that Harmony Tan was the last woman to beat Serena at Wimbledon (2022), but do people know that Serena also was bounced out in the first round the previous year, too? It was a retirement against Sasnovich (tied 3-3). You have to go back to 2019 (since COVID took out Wimbledon in 2020) for her last win. She reached the final (lost to Halep, seeded 7th), but she faced 2 qualifiers and seeds 18 and 30 in that tournament.
She got to the Wimby final in 2018, too, also facing 2 Qs and no one in the top 10 (semis Goerges 13, final Kerber 11). Serena last won Wimbledon in 2016, against Kerber (seed 4, the only top 10 in her draw).
You have to go all the way back to 2012 for a tough win -- Serena went through Kvitova (4), Azarenka (2), and Radwanska (4). Of course you can only beat the players put against you, but it is interesting to see how long it has been since she's faced a murderer's row of opponents - 14 long years.
Looking through the tournaments, it makes me think that the likelihood of a charmed draw may be fairly high, since an orderly march towards the second week is apparently the anomaly.
She will probably beat Joint (if Joint doesn't beat herself) but Eala will send her packing.
I agree Alex, but the heat may also send her packing if Joint manages to make it three full sets.
Honestly, nothing would make me happier!
When Wimbledon rolls around I always think (1) “that’s actually a private club there” and (2) Tim Henman is a second generation member, and not because he got to the semis. It’s really the last of its kind
I‘m really rooting for Jessica and Paula right now! I have a feeling they’re gonna rise up more than ever. Soo excited for next week!! My only plan during this heat right now is reading both of your books again :))(ps: agreed, springtime strawberries are waaay better than summertime ones 😌)
I’m missing your commentating at Wimbledon - will we hear you sometime soon?!
Please share where your hat is from?
As someone who loved Wimbledon from my childhood days and for whom the only tennis we saw on television was Wimbledon and I digress here but It was in in black and white in those days which as scientifically (I may be wrong on this fact) black and white aren't technically colours lol so it was really more shades of grey I still love Wimbledon but I've happily learnt and experienced a lot more about tennis and those who play it since then lol😁. On another note Pimms is nothing like Iced Tea although may be more like a slightly milder version of Long Island Iced Tea lol😁💖
Great article. I've been thinking about Wimbledon too this weekend - and in particular the weird scoring system! The tennis menace, see note below :)
https://ariesam.substack.com/p/the-tennis-menace?r=5c0rgt&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Dears, Andrea/Xhon,
I just finished watching jam lennart struff, having played the match of his life, yet. I would love to congratulate for this extraordinary performance. Leveling up and down smoothly, showing no emotional move. Stoic posture and full focus.
I can not find his personal details to congratulate.
I am a coach on stoicism, spirituality, conduct and communication.
Jan was an unshaken beacon in life’s momentary change and human faultiness and instant learning. (9,9 on scale)
Thank you for helping out, Andrea🙏🏼
Namasté,
Xhon 🌿🕊
Really enjoyed reading this. I'll be watching as many matches as I can, too. Looking forward to seeing how these stories unfold!