It's been a very strange Wimbledon tournament indeed. On the ladies' side, the two finalists weren't even amongst the top 10 seeds. French woman Marion Bartoli entered the tournament seeded #15. Her opponent will be German Sabine Lisicki, who checked in at #23. This wasn't supposed to happen. With all due respect to two highly skilled tennis players, and I dare say quite beautiful ladies, this might be akin to the Detroit Lions facing the Cleveland Browns in the Super Bowl. Some things just boggle the imagination. But it's real, and they both certainly earned it. Who will win that match is anybody's guess, but with both Germany and France being in such close proximity to where Wimbledon is being played in England, there's little doubt the fans of both finalists will be out in force at center court rooting on their countrywomen.
Even though the men's final will feature #1 against #2, many are likely surprised it played out that way. Though seeded a bit lower, such notables as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were dispatched early in the tournament. This leaves the gorilla in the room, Serbian Novak Djokovic, who finally outlasted Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in an epic semi-final, going up against Scotsman Andy Murray. There is absolutely NO doubt who the fan favorite will be.
Djokovic is the #1 player in the world, and he's earned it as well. From foot-speed to endurance, to thunderous serves, returns, volleys, and groundstrokes, to finesse, and to every shot in the book -- the man seems to have mastered all the facets of the game. Andy Murray will definitely have his hands full with this guy. He's just that good.
Thing is, when that match commences, 99% of the fans will be rooting for Murray. It's the ultimate "road trip" for Djokovic. If he can block that out and play like he did against del Potro, then he'll probably win. But that's no given. Even though the Serb has certainly shown he has the stamina and mental willpower to persevere when things get tough -- it might just be that almost 5 hour grueling semi-final match took a bit out of him. He may be a lot of things -- but he's human.
By most accounts, Djokovic is a good guy and a gentleman. Sure, he'll occasionally pump his fists or scream on the court after a climactic moment where he has prevailed, but everybody does that. And yes, he's been known to do some serious partying with the pretty girls in his homeland when he's in between big tournaments -- but so what? Given the chance -- what man in his position wouldn't do the same thing? There's a time to play -- and there's a time to play.
If Djokovic wins the Wimbledon title, it will be pretty much business as usual. The Brits haven't had a native champion since 1936, and one more year without won't be that big of a deal. Though disappointed, they'll quickly move on. Kind of like the above mentioned Lions and Browns fans. Every year they hope, only to see it wind up as another round of futility. Some things are just meant to be -- or not meant to be.
But if Murray somehow pulls off an "upset" over Djokovic at Wimbledon -- entirely possible -- then the recent turmoil in Egypt will pale by comparison. The "United Kingdom" would go into orbit with their celebrating -- and good for them.
I hope it happens.
Oops, this just in......
Mademoiselle Bartoli has defeated fraulein Lisicki 6-1, 6-4. The Fatherland takes one on the chin -- again.
Ach du lieber!!
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