kenneth in the (212): Weekend Tennis Roundup

Monday, July 17, 2023

Weekend Tennis Roundup

Carlos Alcaraz proved he's a worthy successor while Ons Jabeur reiterated everything that's wrong with the women's game. My Wimbledon 2023 photo report BELOW.

Carlos Alcaraz defeated four-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in the final, 1–6, 7–6(8–6), 6–1, 3–6, 6–4 to win the gentlemen's singles title

Remember when Sampras retired and we thought no one would EVER pass him in the majors race? Then Roger IMMEDIATELY came along and we laughed, knowing that NOW we are POSITIVE he would never be bested ... but then Rafa got his number in the majors (literally and figuratively) ... and then Novak became a winning machine, now standing atop the list. Wouldn't it just beat all if Carlos ended up supplanting them all?

Markéta Vondroušová defeated Ons Jabeur in the final, 6–4, 6–4 to win the ladies' singles title

Part of what makes me so irritated about Jabeur's mental state is that it largely robbed Marketa Vondrousova of the joy of winning a major -- all of the articles are about Jabeur's breakdown rather than the sweet cat mom's rising to the occasion. At least she has Frankie and hubby Stepan Simek to celebrate with!

Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski defeated Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in the final, 6–4, 6–4 to win the men's doubles title

Yowza. Three cheers for Coach Morgan!

Hsieh Su-wei and Barbora Strýcová defeated Storm Hunter and Elise Mertens in the final, 7–5, 6–4 to win the women's doubles title

Mate Pavić and Lyudmyla Kichenok defeated Joran Vliegen and Xu Yifan in the final, 6–4, 6–7(9–11), 6–3 to win the mixed doubles title

Wimbledon Champions Ball 2023

As much as I like to bitch about the constant influx of fluky women's major champions, what makes it particularly galling is that not once has, say, a Karolina Pliskova or Madison Keys -- two people who are extremely talented -- "fluked" her way into the winners circle. The players' inability to get out of their own way would be hilarious if it weren't so infuriating. At least the men can stand behind the misfortune of having played during the time of the Big Three.