The first week at Wimbledon is over, with the second kicking off in style with all players left in the singles draws due to play on Monday.
Here we look at the things we have learned from the first seven days in SW19.
1. Not all shocks are actually shocks.
When Rafael Nadal lost to world number 102 Dustin Brown in the second round, many simply shrugged. Of course he did: if you were looking for the shock of the round, that was the obvious match. Nadal has lost all his confidence and sense of belonging on Wimbledon’s grass, suffering four consecutive early exits now, and it would be a staggering achievement were he to turn that around and add to his two titles. Sadly, because we love Rafa, he looks to be the first of the ‘Big Four’ whose game is severely on the wane.
2. A big serve goes a long way.
Ivo Karlovic stands 6ft 11in tall, wears size 16 shoes, and looks for all the world as though he is in the wrong sport. The 36-year-old Croatian might not be the world’s most natural athlete, but he possesses arguably the greatest serve tennis has ever known. His compatriot Goran Ivanisevic fired a tournament-record of 213 aces over seven matches in winning the 2001 Wimbledon title, and Karlovic has blasted down 136 in just three outings this year. He took a set off Andy Murray at Wimbledon three years ago, but felt he was “cheated” and accused officials of bias towards the Scot after being repeatedly foot-faulted. If he gets his launch right come Monday, Karlovic could blast Murray out of the tournament.
3. One Jank and the champ’s flushed away.
Jelena Jankovic, Dinara Safina and Caroline Wozniacki were all undistinguished world number ones, each failing to win a grand slam either before, during or after their reigns at the top. Safina has since retired due to back problems, with Jankovic and Wozniacki still seeking that elusive breakthrough. In 30-year-old Jankovic’s case, the third-round win over defending champion Petra Kvitova showed she still has the game to tackle the best in the business. Now to show it more consistently.
4. Nick Kyrgios is great for tennis.
With former champion Lleyton Hewitt playing his last Wimbledon, Australian men’s tennis needs a new leader and Nick Kyrgios is that man. Whatever your view of the Canberra man – showman or show-off – Kyrgios loves nothing more than smashing small yellow balls across the net and does that job to thrilling effect. The Fanatics adore him, the Wimbledon crowds either love him or loathe him, and the umpires probably don’t know what to make of him – with his chuntering, chiding and on-court commentary of his own matches. You can’t take your eyes off Kyrgios: he’s box-office and he’s only 20.
5. It’s boom time for Brits…sort of.
After a dearth of success, particularly on the men’s side, Britain has had a relatively strong Wimbledon. James Ward came tantalisingly close to reaching round four, and is benefiting from being close to Andy Murray. He will climb into the top 100 for the first time after Wimbledon and realistically can set his sights on the top 50. Slovenia-born Aljaz Bedene takes great pride in playing for his adopted country, and is rated very highly by those in the know.
And Heather Watson’s performance against Serena Williams may prove a turning point in a season that began so brightly with a title in Australia but then went off the boil. With Laura Robson feeling her way back gently after almost 18 months on the sidelines, the hope must be that, although this year has been promising, come Wimbledon 2016 there will be plenty of British company for Andy Murray in the second week.
Source: SNAPPA
