By Jackie Roe, TW Social Director
How is the TWibe doing tonight? I've had yet another rough week, marked by deadlines, sleep deprivation, and not nearly enough tennis. Thanks to the 4th of July, though, my weekend started early (did everyone else in the States have the day off, too?), so today alone, I've been able to make up for both the lack of sleep and tennis!
Speaking of the 4th, how do all the TW Yanks celebrate the occasion? It's not my kind of holiday - as a tee-totaling vegetarian, I can't really partake in the beer/brat celebrations that most Americans seem so fond of! I do like fireworks, though, so I'm looking forward to the displays in my area. Does anyone have fun weekend plans? Independence Day traditions?
Members of our TennisWorld > Real World Facebook group, take note that TWiber Ali C has posted links to some fabulous Wimbledon photo albums. Go have a look! Also, a "USO 2009 - Who is going?" discussion topic is now posted, and it looks like plenty of TWibers are making their way to New York (I wish I were one of 'em!). Closer to the tournament, let's coordinate a TW get-together here in the Deuce Club, yeah?
Last week, I presented some press conference gems from week one of Wimbledon (or round one, actually) and asked you to share your favorite quotes, as well; as promised, I'm calling for quotes once more, this time from week two! Here are a few to get you started:
Serena Williams
Q. Six years ago when you were at the top, she was No. 15, you beat her here. What memories do you have of that match, if any, 2003 at Wimbledon?
A: Yeah, I don't remember that. I'm gonna YouTube it, though.
Venus Williams
Q. I gather you've now joined Twitter. Serena has obviously persuaded you. You said you celebrated your last win with cranberry sauce.
A: Yes. Why?
Q. Well, no. I was wondering how you're going to celebrate this one.
A: Cranberry sauce. I'm actually a candy addict. That's the closest I can get to, like, sugar, is cranberry sauce and raisins. So those are the two things that when I celebrate, it's with cranberry sauce.
Q. Just on its own?
A: Yes. It's a little strange, I know. I happen to like it.
I loved this comment from Pete in his ["Williams Family Woodshed" post this week: Okay, so the British press is Wimbledentric, and wouldn't know Roland Garros from an obscure French aviator. But the way Venus and Serena - always lightning rods for disgruntlement or criticism - had them eating out of their hands confirmed the Any Questions? nature of the way they've been playing here during the fortnight. The above quotes are perfect examples!]
Andy Roddick (of course)
Q. I understand you're quite friendly with Justin Timberlake and that he came to see you on Saturday.
A: Uhm, I've never met him (laughter.)
Q. He likes you.
A: But let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Dinara Safina
Q. Where did these 15 double?faults come from?
A: 15? I thought it was much more (smiling).
Roger Federer
Q. You played Haas on clay, and maybe clay is not your favorite surface.
A: I'm a clay court specialist, if you haven't realized yet (smiling).
Ivo Karlovic
Q. How tough is it mentally just to keep serve, not to be broken? Is it a very mental step you have to make?
A: No, it is easy for me (smiling).
Q. Can you talk a little bit about your celebration at the end? It was a bit unusual.
A: Yeah, it was my victory dance.
Q. What does it mean, and where did it come from?
A: No, I don't know. It just came because I was happy. I don't know.
Q. So it wasn't planned?
A: No, actually it was planned because all of my matches here after I was doing that. So yeah.
Elena Dementieva
Q. Just a question away from the match. You're named as one of the stylishly dressed players on court. Who would you regard as the most stylish?
A: You mean this season alone?
Q. In terms of dress.
A: I really like my dress (laughing), but I think Venus has a very nice dress, as well.
Novak Djokovic
Q. You seem to be more serious these days than you used to be.
A: Am I (smiling)?
Oh, how I'll miss the British press!
As Wimbledon draws to a close, I thought I'd take some time to reflect on the tournament - and not just this year's. I've made it known several times that Wimbledon is my favorite Slam, my favorite tournament, heck - one of my favorite anythings!
I know, it sounds a little extreme. But Wimbledon's been a part of my life since I was a kid. The minute I catch even a glimpse of Centre Court, I'm flooded with memories.
As I mentioned in my maiden DC post, my eldest sister Jeannette was the one who introduced Wimbledon (and tennis, really, as I hadn't known tennis outside of this Slam) into my life. She'd wake up for "Breakfast at Wimbledon," and my other sister Elizabeth and I would do the same, at first just to spend time with her. (One of her favorite parts of the experience was checking out which royals were in attendance. A Princess Di appearance was always a treat!) Soon enough, though, I was hooked on the tennis itself, not just the sisterly bonding. And then as schooling and travels forced Jeannette to be away from home more often, I'd find myself waking up early for "Breakfast at Wimbledon" all by my lonesome. Now, I cared.
I remember those mornings like they were yesterday. Groggily plopping down in front of the television in my PJs, humming along to the familiar Wimbledon on NBC music (and missing that high note), drooling at the sight of the strawberries 'n' cream being served (were they as yummy as they looked?).
!Wimbles 1993 It was from all those years of Wimbledon-watching that Steffi Graf became my absolute favorite player, male or female. The two (Wimbledon and Steffi) are inextricably linked - in my head, anyway - and of all the Wimbledon matches I've witnessed, one that stands out more than most others is the 1993 final between Steffi and Jana Novotna. Of course, it saw Steffi take the championship aided by Jana's epic meltdown. At the time, I was thrilled - and relieved! - that my favorite got through the match. Now, though, I have a far greater appreciation for what Jana endured; I would've sobbed on the Duchess of Kent, too.
Then there was Wimbledon 2001. I was out of the country that summer and couldn't find coverage of the tournament anywhere so I had Jeannette tape it all. I adored Patrick Rafter, so you can just imagine how ecstatic I was to learn that he had advanced to the final. My family and I were fond of Goran Ivanisevic (and his quirks!), as well, so it was a perfect finals scenario. But of course, as I was going to miss it, I instructed my sister to tape it and to Shhhh!, keep the result to herself. I remember doing whatever I could to avoid so much as a mention of sports in the news, so I'd be able to watch the tape in suspense, as if it were live. I successfully made it through the end of the trip without hearing/seeing a thing about the match ... until I got on the plane and saw Goran's mug on the sports page of a newspaper. I almost cried - both because of the spoiler and because my guy lost! When I learned how hard-fought and celebrated the match was, too, it made me all the more wistful for having missed it.
I grew up with Wimbledon and am no less enchanted with it now than I was when it all started. The verdant lawns, the whites, the reserved crowd. It's all singular to this tournament. And it brings out the true tennis fan in me like nothing else. In fact, I probably wouldn't be here today, typing to y'all in a tennis blog, if it weren't for Wimbledon. (I better not start tearing up. No crying in blogging, Jackie!)
Now I'd like to hear from you! You can take this in whatever direction you like, but here's a bit of guidance:
1) What's your Wimbledon? That is, is there an event that's important to you, that you look forward to every year? It can be something as frivolous as a tennis tournament, or maybe it's more serious, like a volunteer activity you partake in annually. How did the "tradition" start, and what about it moves you?
2) If you'd like to stick with the Wimbledon theme, instead, go for it! Tell us about your Wimbledon history, as I did. If you're relatively new to the tournament, feel free to comment on this year's happenings alone. How have you been watching? TV or computer? Home or work? (I won't tell.) Have you had to adjust your sleep/work schedule to catch the action?
And how about handing out some awards? Here are a few ideas to get you started ...
Please use this space to camp out until the action resumes in the AM. Have fun!