Best Match
Or at least the best match that I watched a significant chunk of: Grigor Dimitrov’s 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-7 (4), 6-3 win over Kevin Anderson. It’s wasn’t a barn-burner, but it offered a lot of shot-making, especially from Dimitrov’s side—I love the abbreviated flick backhand pass—and it forced him to hang in there and take his opportunities when he could against a big server. Three-out-of-five is still a tremendous test, mentally and physically, and you could see Anderson tire just a bit at the end. Dimitrov, who likes grass and seems to have developed a following in London, plays Baghdatis next. The winner might get Andy Murray.
Most Exemplary Losing Handshake
The best one I’ve seen at this tournament came from Juan Carlos Ferrero, after his whipping at the hands of Novak Djokovic. As he walked to the net, Ferrero pressed his mouth together and shook his head slightly, as if to say, “Yep, too good” to Novak. Today I liked the way Lleyton Hewitt, after also taking a whipping, from Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, put his head down and ran straight to the net. It reminded me of the way Jimmy Connors used to do it (when he wasn’t yelling at John McEnroe on the way there). You fight all the way, and when it doesn't work, it doesn't work. That mentality, of trying your best with no regrets, might be the most important thing that a player like Donald Young, who seems to regret every missed ball, could learn. Forget, don't regret.
Best Chance for a Joke Not Taken
The one constant between the BBC and ESPN is John McEnroe. He commentates for both, and quietly slips from one booth to the next, though he sounds like Johnny Mac wherever he is. Today he made a fairly rare appearance with Chris Fowler when they did the Nadal-Bellucci match. It sounded to me like Mac had a joke set up. He said that the "chalk" on the lines at Wimbledon was no longer chalk, but titanium paste. Mac waited and appeared ready to cry, “Titanium paste flew up!” After which he would say that it didn’t have quite the same ring as his infamous “Chalk flew up!” tirade from 1981. But Fowler moved on before he could say it.
Or maybe it was all just a joke in my head, not Mac’s. Chances are he’s used it a few times before anyway.
Actual Illuminating Use of TV Technology
ESPN showed us a split-screen graphic that compared where Nadal was returning serve during the French Open and where he was returning today at Wimbledon. It was striking how much he had moved up. McEnroe said it was the biggest adjustment he’d ever seen, and he compared Rafa to Bjorn Borg, who returned from Timbuktu wherever he played. This is more evidence—besides, of course, his two Wimbledon titles—that Nadal is not a clay-court specialist, or someone who simply brings his clay game wherever he goes. Who knows, in his next match he might move back some.
Quickest Nutshell Version of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s Career Ever Seen
Tsonga served at 5-4 in the second set against Hewitt. On the first point, he came to the net and had an open court for a forehand volley. Instead of placing it there, though, he tried a delicate drop volley and missed. On the next point, Hewitt slipped and presented Jo with another open court. Instead of placing his forehand there, he tried to go behind Hewitt and missed again. Third point, third error. 0-40. From there, Tsonga hit an ace, a forehand winner, another ace, a service winner, and a third ace for the set. He’s going to be dangerous, both to himself and whomever he plays over the next two weeks.
!LHBiggest Look of Relief on a Winning Player's Face
Juan Martin del Potro gave it a run with a fierce fist-pump and a long thank you to the heavens after his four-set win over Robin Haase. Serena Williams was also pretty pumped to avoid a repeat of her French Open first round when she finally closed this one out. But nothing could beat Christina McHale’s wide-eyed glance over to her box after she finally finished off her British opponent 10-8 in the third set. The match had been stopped at 7-7 the previous evening due to darkness, and McHale said later that she had a dream in which she won, and another in which she lost. When she finally won for real, McHale didn’t do much. She never does. But you could see it all in her eyes. They said, essentially, “Jesus Christ.”
Most Honest Reaction by a Player
Late in her first-round win today, Serena’s opponent hit a ball that clipped the net cord and fell over for a winner. In most pro matches, the victim of this crime would accept it and turn to play the next point. Not Serena. She got visibly angry, at the situation and seemingly at her lucky opponent, who was standing with her hands in the air in apology. We say we like honesty in our athletes. Serena’s reaction might not have been reasonable, or useful, but if you’ve ever played tennis, you know it was honest.
Proof that Grass Can Still Produce a Good Old-Fashioned Rock Fight
Over four sets, Sam Querrey and Vasek Pospisil combined to hit 115 unreturnable serves between them. A nice win for Querrey, but it was not an exciting match.
Most Epic Press Conference
Bernie Tomic continues to confound. First he went down limply after winning the opening set against David Goffin. Then he held a baffling presser, where he followed John Isner’s lead and went about beating himself to a pulp. A few highlights:
Q: You mentioned not working hard enough. Why is that the case?
Tomic: Good point. . . . I have sort of lacked off a little bit and look what’s it’s costing me. Last eight, nine weeks I’m losing a lot of first, second rounds. Lack of concentration, not working hard, it costs you.
Q: How disappointing is that?
Tomic: You’re not going to improve unless you learn, I think. That’s why it’s important for me at a young age, for any player that’s young, is to, I think, lose.
Q: Does it feel like you guys [Tomic and Goffin] have exhanged places? Turned the table?
Tomic: Well, look, he’s 21; I’m 18, 19.
OK, I appreciate that you're taking the long view, Bernie. Many of us do have to learn to lose before we can learn to win. And it’s good you’ve recognized that “lacking off” does have consequences. But try to remember how old you are, man! Are you 18 or 19?
