The 25-and-unders have got work to do
The conversation about when the younger generation will finally start taking over in men’s tennis has become so repetitive, that even the ever-chatty Novak Djokovic is sick of discussing it.
“Don't ask me more questions about young tennis players, when is their time to come up because we've talked about it. I said that eventually it is going to happen. It doesn't seem like it's happening on Grand Slams,” Djokovic said in his post-quarter-final press conference.
Players like No.7 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 6 seed Alexander Zverev, No.5 seed Dominic Thiem, No. 29 seed Denis Shapovalov and Frances Tiafoe, all lost in the first round at the Championships.
These are players who are meant to be leading the charge of the 25-and-under age group yet we somehow ended up with a semi-final line-up made of four men aged 30 or over, for a second straight year at Wimbledon. The youngest quarter-finalist this year was David Goffin, who is 28.
Other young prospects like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev, and Karen Khachanov all crashed out in the second or third rounds.
Every Grand Slam champion still active on the men’s circuit is aged 30 and above.
Hopes of seeing a young new men’s major winner this year seem to be slim. The youth brigade has got work to do!
Just the beginning for 'Cocomania'
One youngster who has definitely stood out this Fortnight is Cori “Coco” Gauff.
The 15-year-old became the youngest to qualify for Wimbledon, then upset Venus Williams, Magdalena Rybarikova and Polona Hercog en route to the fourth round, where she exited to Simona Halep.
The youngest to make it this far at SW19 since Jennifer Capriati in 1991, Gauff has given us a teaser of what is likely to come.
With wise and strong parents like Corey and Candi Gauff behind her, Roger Federer’s management company representing her, and most importantly, an impressive game and mentality, Coco could very much become the game’s next superstar.
Mixed doubles in the spotlight
The partnership between Andy Murray and Serena Williams added more lustre to mixed doubles at Wimbledon this Fortnight. The powerhouse duo played all three of their matches on either Centre Court or Court No.1 in front of a capacity crowd and provided one of the most-talked about storylines of the tournament.
Venus Williams also took part in the mixed event alongside Frances Tiafoe, while Nick Kyrgios partnered with Desirae Krawczyk.
It was a nice boost for a version of tennis that is typically the most popular among recreational players around the world.
Osaka on a mission to find joy again on court
No.2 seed Naomi Osaka made a tearful exit from The Championships in the first round at the hands of Yulia Putintseva.
The current holder of two of the four Grand Slams, Osaka told reporters that she believes she’ll be able to return to her best form once she rediscovers the joy on court, and alleviate some of the pressure that fell on her shoulders after rising to No.1 in the world earlier this year.
With the Tour moving to her beloved hard courts next, it’s likely the Japanese-Haitian star will get back to winning ways.
Nadal sensing pressure of time
After not making it past the fourth round in five Wimbledon appearances post-2011, Rafael Nadal reached back-to-back semi-finals at the All England Club in 2018 and 2019, losing both, to Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer respectively. In his press conference here on Friday, the 33-year-old Spaniard conceded such opportunities may not come around again, as he acknowledges he is closer to the end of his career than the beginning.
“Today is sad because for me I know chances are not forever. Last year I had chances here, I had another one, and I was not able to convert to win it one more time here,” said the 16-time Grand Slam champion.
More talent in the Japanese pipeline
Shintaro Mochizuki gave Japan reason to celebrate as he became the first Wimbledon boys’ singles champion from his country. The 16-year-old has impressed this past week at SW19, with his cool net play and flat backhands. He trains at the same academy in Florida where his countryman Kei Nishikori is based, and gets to hit with him from time to time.
“He's really nice. He gives me a lot of advices at the academy. Like sometimes I practise with him. I learn from him a lot. Yeah, he's smart,” Mochizuki says with a smile.
With Naomi Osaka becoming Japan’s first ever Grand Slam singles champion and first world No.1, it looks like another young Japanese talent with a fun personality might be emerging soon.
Alcott making an impact as he secures ‘Dylan Slam’
Australian Dylan Alcott became the first ever Wimbledon quad wheelchair singles champion after beating Andy Lapthorne in the final. Alcott now holds all Grand Slam singles titles.
“Wimbledon just put out on their Instagram and Twitter the ‘Dylan Slam’. That sounds all right, doesn't it?” an elated Alcott told reporters after his win.
“I think the thing I'm most proud of is the way we've personally rebranded the sport to try and get a change of perception of what people have with a disability. That's what I'm most proud of. I love winning the slams because I love what it does for me. I love winning them, as well.
“To be able to do a speech and see young kids get out there, see full stadiums. To show not only young people with a disability what they can do, but mainly able-bodied people, what people with a disability can do. That's what I'm most proud of.
There’s so much flair on the women’s tour
From Barbora Strycova to Karolina Muchova to Hsieh Su-Wei to Ashleigh Barty, the ladies of the WTA brought some real style to Wimbledon this year.
Strycova played serve-and-volley points 20 per cent of her time on serve en route to the semi-finals in singles, and partnered with the magical Hsieh to win the doubles crown.
Muchova announced her official arrival to the big leagues by upsetting one of the tournament favourites, Karolina Pliskova, in the fourth round, showcasing an attractive game with lots of variety. Stylish world No.1 Barty won 15 matches in a row from the start of Roland-Garros, through her run to the Birmingham title, before eventually falling to American Alison Riske in the Wimbledon fourth round.
There may have been a period where women’s tennis was going down the ball-bashing route but that is no longer a concern with the likes of the aforementioned players, and many more, making waves with their flashy techniques.
