More than just Williams & Nadal…
It’s now been more than 48 hours since the Championships this year came to an end with the best players in the world deservedly winning the best tournament in the world. But while the world, understandably goes ga-ga about Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, it’s worth remembering the other fine moments that were worth talking about, some of them worst cherishing too. In fact, every edition of Wimbledon brings with itself its share of the unforgettable; right from Boris Becker’s version of the spectacular acrobats to Ivan Lendl’s famous ‘Grass is for Cows’ outburst, the All England Club has always been about more than just the eventual champions. The last two weeks at this place were no different.
Here’s a look then at some of the best moments or stories that came out from SW19 this year.
Rain, rain, stayed away!
10. It’s not exactly a rarity what with last year’s edition being fairly rain-free as well. But then, not a single match during Wimbledon 2010 was affected by rain and that did please the players and officials alike. The only hitch being that as a result of that, the roof on the Centre Court was once again not used which must make the officials wonder whether the huge amount of money that went into the installation of the same was worth the price and effort after all.
Federer choosing Football over Tennis?!
9. It’s common knowledge that Roger Federer’s number one goal at the onset of every year happens to be triumphing at the All England Club. And so, when the great man remarked that part of his mind even whilst playing his 1st round match would be on the Switzerland game in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, it made for quite an interesting bit of news. The six-time champion went on to add that he’d have actually loved to have a TV installed somewhere in the court so he could check the scores during the breaks!
Federer endorses Video Technology!
8. Talking about Federer, this one definitely took everyone by even more surprise. After the horror piece of referring in the England v Germany football game which cost the former a well deserved goal and possibly the match, suggestions about the use of video technology being introduced in the sport became even louder. Roger Federer, who’s always disliked the use of technology in tennis, this time around, sided with the view that football needed the use of video replays. The Swiss while being mindful of the fact that the FIFA top boss happens to be a Swiss too, made his sentiment clear when he said, “It’s frustrating. I think it’s rough. To me it seems like it’s just crying for a change.”
Roddick and the art of press-conferences!
7. One cannot possibly think of anyone else other than Andy Roddick to provide a few genuine laughs even after his most demoralizing of losses. The man who by nature is blessed with supreme wit doesn’t require much effort to showcase that during his post match pressers. Of course, some really not-so-intelligent questions at those interviews do help him come up with his standard hilarious stuff. Sample this, his conference after his Q/F exit.
Q. So tomorrow when you wake up, you think you're going to be pissed off, disappointed?
ANDY RODDICK: I'm going to be thrilled. I mean, c'mon.
Q. You've been through these slams before.
ANDY RODDICK: And it never gets easier. Of course I'm going to be pissed off when I wake up tomorrow. I mean, if you got fired from your job, you probably wouldn't wake up the next day in a great mood. I mean, c'mon, let's go. We're better than those questions.
14 sets to love!
6. This probably didn’t come as much of a surprise, but it’s still worth the mention. Serena Williams went onto win the title, her 4th win here, without dropping a set. Her win, in such straightforward fashion was in fact much anticipated and hence didn’t even get the kind of coverage it deserved. Quite a tribute of sorts to this monster of an athlete!
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