WIMBY, DAY 9: IT AIN'T OVA TIL ITS NAVRATILOVA
Just after midday here in Studio 4 on what would qualify as a beach day even in Laguna. Or Altoona. Nothing but sunshine and blue skies. Just outside our studio is Court 18 where the greatest player of all time, Martina Navratilova, is playing doubles in the Ladies Invitation draw. Pretty cool! Martina Navatilova.
Martina. Has any sports star, not just tennis player, ever redefined herself or himself more dramatically in mid-career? I mean, for the better? Martina was a top player in the late '70s whose head was her own worst enemy. No one ever got more down on themselves, in such an outward manner, during a match.
Then she became an American citizen in 1981, discovered fitness, hair coloring and contact lenses and rattled off the most impressive string of singles titles in either men's or women's history. Before 1981, when she was already 25? Three Grand Slam singles titles, two of them here.
After 1981? Fifteen Grand Slam singles titles.
Very impressive. In fact, no one in tennis has ever been more impressive. So impressive that some of us in Studio 4 are discussing what would be the ideal title for a drink named after her:
Martini Navratilova?
Things I See Myself Fancying
When Serena Williams arrives on court for her match, instead of her having to drape her white raincoat over the chair, there should be a coatcheck. And she should have to keep her voucher.
(Serena wore the white raincoat onto Court 1 today even though it couldn't possibly be sunnier here today and is one of the warmest Wimbledays ever)
MARTIN VS MURRAY
No one else here quite agrees with me (again), but I see a strong (not uncanny, but strong) physical resemblance between Britain's current favorite son, Andy Murray, and its reigning pop star, Chris Martin. Speaking of Coldplay, that was the Scot's game through two sets last night on Centre Court, when Frenchman Richard "Blown" Gasquet went up 2-0.
In fact, I was already preparing a headline of Murray Slaughter with the requisite accompanying photo. But then the 21 year-old turned Ol' Blighty upside down with a courageous comeback. The first moment when we all felt that Murray had a chance was on the get he made to win the third set. It was an incredible run down of a ball that was far to the side of the sideline, a lob that Gasquet never expected he'd return.
Murray found that shot, won the set, did a "Rocky" gesture to the 15,000 or so at Centre Court, and you could hear the cheers all the way over at Henman Hill (and vice-versa).
From that moment it appeared that Gasquet was more concerned with the match being called on account of darkness, hoping that having to return tomorrow would quell the match's momentum. After all, not a few of the Centre Court throng was smashed on Pimm's. But, just as the sun never used to set on the British Empire, it was not setting enough for the Centre Court's British Umpire (who was actually Portuguese, but just go with me here).
And so we wound up witnessing not just the most exciting moment of Wimbledon so far, but the latest match ever to finish here. Dessert at Wimbledon, anyone? (take that, Mr. Basche!)
You Have a Mandatory Court Appearance
The irony is that while Gasquet seemed not at all pleased to be facing the lone Brit in the gloaming on Centre Court, other players were cheesed off at having to play on the outer courts. Jelena Jankovic, the No. 2 seed and top women's seed remaining, lost on a match right outside our studio here on Court 18. You must understand, the outer courts have a Fenway-like intimacy. Fans on the side are literally about ten feet away from the sideline.
Jankovic was upset by Thailand's Tamarine Tamasugarn, who came in ranked 60th. After the match she said, "I almost need a helicopter to go to my court."
Richard Williams, the sire of Venus and Serena, was none too happy that both his daughters, who between them have won six of the past eight singles titles, were relegated to Court 2...an outer court that probably seats 1,000 or so. Williams called it "ridiculous" and "a damn shame."
I don't quite understand. The outer courts have fewer distractions--though not the Hawk-Eye Challenge system, which in dull Centre Court and Court 1 matches provides the most exciting moments-- and is simple and pure tennis. It's like playing in a cozy minor league park.
I've been impressed with everything about the Williams sisters thus far, from their game to the way they've handled the media. They've been so diplomatic they're almost Jeterian. This was Venus when asked about the Court 2 snub, or supposed snub: "Let's keep it on the real real. I'm here to play tennis... on all courts."
My Proposed Motto That Would Make Great Britain, Well, Greater
"Great Britain: Now With 50% Less Mayonnaise"
Line I'd Love To Use, But Probably Won't Find A Way To
"He ain't cocky, he's just...Cockney."
How Long Will This Exhibit Run?
I'm headed straight over to the Tate Museum to see (and maybe become part of) this exhibit. Be sure to read the "About this Work" link. This is me, next week: "Sorry, sir. I'm not actually in the exhibit, I just really had to use the loo."
Today's Thing I Fancy
Elena Dementieva, who's about to enter our studio following a straight sets victory to advance into the semis. Anyone spare a mint?
Today's Things Our Runners Fancy (submitted by high school senior-to-be Chris Dodds of Manhattan)
(p.s. I don't pretend to know what the deuce they are referring to in most of these, but they bring me lunch and dinner, so I appease them)
1. Reading/listening to Rafa Nadal's interviews
2. Three free meals a day (The Army offers the same deal, you know...J.W.)
3. Leo's brownies (crew member who makes killer brownies)
4. Late-night treks to Po Na Na
5. 400 pounds worth of candy (which may have cost 400 pounds)
6. Asleep by 9 or out 'til 3.
7. Checking Facebook on the international press computers
8. Middle Sunday
(Again, this was just my Neville Chamberlain strut, appeasing more aggressive people than I)
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Dear Mr. Walters,
Although this blog is about the tennis championship in Wimbledon, I couldn't find a link to your email address to post my comments about your report on Weis and Spygate, so indulge me this space, or direct me to a link in which I can post my comment on the matter, and we'll discuss it.
I am an avid Pats fan, but I do not condole the behavior, although I'm not quite satisfied that the matter was proven beyond reasonable doubt, coach Belichick had towards the so called videotaping. What strikes me was the fact that the two "witness" or "whistle-blower" were two former disgruntled employees, first the HC for the Jets, Eric Mangini, whom left Patriots and became an enemy to Belichick for some reason, God only knows why, and all of a sudden, after losing to the Pats the previous year, he then decides to say, "hey, they are filming my signals". If that's the case, guess what, he has some explaining to do too because he was there when the so called Spygate happened, so how come nobody is going after him to ask him, since he was a defensive backs coach (2000-2004), and later a defensive coordinator (2005) for the Pats, so my question is why, why wait until one year after taking over as a head coach of a team, to come out and accuse your former team and boss of that. He had to have known and participated if any of that had happened. Why wait a year, why wait until you were manhandled in the game to come out with an excuse and say, "they beat us, because they knew our signs from taping it". And this guy Walsh, he's a joke, he was fired because he was illegally taping conversations of his bosses on meetings and such, not counting the so called video taping of training sessions he made, and his reasoning for that was that because he hoped to become a NFL coach one day, so what was the taping for, to learn every signal, gesture, motion, words Belichick and the other coaches used to describe the plays so he could then beat the Pats. And, bargaining for an agreement to prevent from being sued later by the Pats, or anyone else for that matter, specially if nothing would come out from his accusations. Please give me a break, if you have nothing to hide, you won't be affraid of the consequences. Has anyone ever considered that, or let me ask you, has anyone ever considered looking into those two guys phone records and check if they communicated in any way prior to coming out publically with those accusations. I am not advocating conspiracy theory, but boy, this really smells fishy to me. I've said what I had to say. Please, give your point of view on this. I would love to hear it.