Wimbledon 2009: It’s a wrap!

Another women’s final at Wimbledon, another Williams takes the Rosewater Dish home. Duh.

Just like the way it was predicted, this year’s Wimbledon women’s final was a mirror of last year’s as Centre Court welcomed the Williams sisters back on championship day. The only difference is that Serena finally got the W this time. After 6 years, she was finally awarded the dish again!

Serena barely escaped her semifinal match against Elena Dementieva last Thursday while Venus has not lost a set since her fourth round match… in 2007. (Wanna take a guess who she defeated there? I can still see it clearly.. the ownage of it all!) So, it came as a bit of a surprise to many that the match was lame lopsided in Serena’s favor. She won it easily and without so much of a real push from Venus 7-6(3), 6-2. This is Serena’s 11th Grand Slam title.

It was a disappointing final- from a spectator’s point of view, of course. We always look for those epic matches and nailbiters but you know what’s more disappointing? The fact that Serena has won the last 3 out of 4 Grand Slams yet according to the rankings, she’s still not the best player in the world. Go figure.

GOAT status? Cemented.

Roger Federer won his 15th Grand Slam title at his beloved Wimbledon, breaking Pete Sampras’ record of 14, and is now without question the greatest player of all time.

Roger defeated Andy Roddick in the epic-est final in history. Yes, in history. The way both players played, out of their minds well, is how you play a final at Wimbledon. The scoreline will tell you all about it: 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 16-14. 30 games in the final set? 3. 0. Games. That could be an entire best of 5 sets match!

Andy did not lose his serve until that last game and boy was it costly. Roger, the GOAT that he is, just stayed patient the entire match and did not try to force or rush anything. When the opportunities were presented, he took them and that’s how he won and that’s why he’s a champion. The greatest champion of all.

Wimbledon 2009, you were fun. I didn’t think you would be but you stepped up so I thank you. Until next year!

Now on to the US Open Series and finally some live tennis for me.

Images via Getty

Andy Roddick at Wimbledon finals again

How about that Andy Roddick, huh?

I admit I didn’t think he’d make it past Andy Murray but he went into that semifinal with a new spark of belief in himself and really took it to Murray. Of course the entire nation’s pressure on Muzz helped Roddick swing more freely out there and smack those aces like his life depended on it- well, during match time it did but it was an unbelievable effort and very very well deserved.

I got a little teary eyed for a moment there, flashes of 2003/2004 came rushing back and I was more than happy to high five those good ‘ol days. But I favor the Roddick of 2009 more. For someone who’s nearing the end of his career, he’s still willing to make adjustments and try to better his game to keep up with the changing times. I’m pretty sure it’s easier to just let it go and care less when your career is ending-I’m talking to you, Marat-but we can all agree that it wouldn’t be like Roddick to do so. No one could ever question his dedication to the sport and as an athlete and that is why I have been a fan for all these years.

Well done, Andrew. I am very proud of you!

Yes, B.D-Dub, clench that fist!

This Sunday will be Roddick’s third try to win The Championships against Roger Federer. He lost to The GOAT in 2004 and 2005. Could number three work it’s charm? I sure hope so.

Images via Getty

Venus Williams serves Dinara Safina breakfast buffet

Dinara Safina’s first Wimbledon run to the second week ended in Breakfast Buffet At Wimbledon form. To be fair, she ran into an unstoppable Venus Williams, 5-time champion at SW19, in the semifinals. I doubt anyone expected Dinara to come out of this a winner but maybe a little bit more resistance than a 6-1, 6-0 fold. Breadstick. Check. Bagel. Check. Like I said, Breakfast Buffet At Wimbledon.

Although you cannot compare this loss to Dinara’s crumbling under pressure at Roland Garros last month or even at The US Open last September and this is by far her best grass court season to date, it’s still very disappointing to see the supposed World Number 1 exit the tournament winning only 1 game in her last match.

Image via Getty

NBC Sports = Epic fail

It has been delayed telecast after delayed telecast on NBC Sports during Roland Garros last month and now The Championships is not getting any love too.

I am not impressed NBC Sports and I’m sure I speak for all tennis fans around the US. I mean, we’re not in 1980 anymore. See, there’s this thing called high-speed internet now in which news and scores are delivered in real time. And in which you gladly stream the tennis matches live yet on TV we still get taped/delayed telecast. How? What? Why?

Okay, I admit I don’t know what goes on in the money side of it all. I’m sure you forked out a lot of it to get rights to broadcasting these matches but really how does showing taped matches help you? Less viewers will tune in because most already know the outcome of the match 10 hours ago. Isn’t your goal to drive as many people to watch your channel, get those advertisers to pay up and then thankyouverymuch.. money in the bank?!

FAIL.

In fotos: LIFE and the ladies of the WTA

Some of the lady ballers of the WTA Tour took some time to let their hair down and try to let loose in front of the camera.

From LIFE.com:

Professional tennis players work hard. LIFE wanted to see what happens when they play hard — so we invited some of the best on the women’s tour to leave their competitive spirit and game face behind, and simply cut loose. Pictured: Maria Elena Camerin (Italy); Julie Coin and Severine Bremond Beltrame (France).

I gotta say this lacks the usual cheese that make me cringe when I see photoshoots with some of the top lady ballers. That’s a good thing. Kudos to the make up artist, kept it very natural for most of the ladies and they look great! (Hi, Gisela, I didn’t know you were so pretty.) Wish I could say the same thing about the stylist but.. baby steps for these photoshoots, baby steps.

Alla Kudryavtseva

Gisela Dulko

Sabine Lisicki
(All I can hear is “move bitch, get out the way!”)

Vera Zvonareva

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

All images and more at LIFE.com.