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I vowed to never be one of “those” sports fans. The kind whose whole mood or vibe could be ruined by a loss, nor the kind who would beat their chest as if they’d just scored a go ahead pick six off of Tom Brady in overtime of a conference championship. For years, I’ve heavily frowned upon and clowned upon “those people.” Foolish are those who think they could ever have any impact on the outcome of their team or player’s performance. Emotional detachment was and had always been the move for me. A way to avoid heartbreak after getting too close and preemptively safeguard myself from disappointment. I could never be a fan “like that.” Couldn’t be me. Nope. Never. Yet over the past two weeks, there I was, excitedly clapping and yelling loud enough at the television to get a “hey, is everything okay over there” text from our next door neighbor. Who am I? What have I become?
Yeah, The Championships at Wimbledon have left me in my feelings. All of my feelings. This brutal, beautiful, sport has me both smiling and reeling in its aftermath, leaving behind a treasure of unforgettable moments, emotional highs, and unexpected turns. For this fan, this year’s tournament showcased why Wimbledon in all its British formality, is still the crown jewel of tennis tournaments (although the U.S. Open will always be the edgier, cooler kid, with all due respect).
I tried (check the June 30th post), but Wimbledon 2024 proved to be anything but predictable. From rising stars making names for themselves (shout out Lulu Sun) to seasoned champions (Novak Djokovic) striving to reclaim their rightful thrones, the narratives at SW19 were rich with surprises, drama, and excitement, with upsets as surprising as the victories, and matches that validated the sport's unpredictability.
This year’s highlights included the resurgence of the always dangerous, and eventual Ladie’s Champion Barbora Krejcikova. An unexpected (even for this superfan) Grand Slam encore performance from LoveGame favorite Jasmine Paolini. A stoic and nearly perfect dismantling of Novak Djokovic by Carlos Alcaraz. And a long awaited karmic dividend paid to Taylor Townsend, who finally earned an elusive Grand Slam doubles championship with Katerina Siniakova.
These players all delivered, some against the odds, and captivated the Wimbledon crowds with their spirits, reminding us that in tennis, as in life, persistence and passion often triumph over pedigree. And in my case, that sport and fandom can soften even the most jaded of hearts.
Barbora Krejcikova - Reign Czech
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I vividly remember rooting for Jana Novotna in the Wimbledon final in 1993. It wasn’t that I disliked Steffi Graff, but her dominance in women’s tennis at the time left me rooting to see the underdog prevail. Watching Novotna let that match slip away was heartbreaking. The memory of her finding consolation in and spilling tears onto the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent during the award ceremony will forever be with me and tennis fans everywhere.
Last week, we couldn’t help but reflect on the profound influence Novotna had on Barbora Krejcikova’s career as her coach and mentor before Novotna’s untimely passing in 2017. Novotna’s legacy at Wimbledon and her relationship with Krejcikova painted a picture-perfect, poetically just storyline during Krejcikova’s run this year. In good form and with unwavering determination, Krejcikova carved her path to the final, defeating the likes of Veronika Kudermetova, Danielle Collins, Jelena Ostapenko, and Elena Rybakina along the way.
Krejcikova has always been a formidable player when healthy and in peak form. Already a Grand Slam singles champion and ten-time Grand Slam doubles champion, her game is nothing short of dynamic. With effortless power, a deep and extensive repertoire of shots, and a Hall of Fame resume, she is always a viable threat to any draw.
In the final against Jasmine Paolini, who surprised everyone (even her biggest fan) by battling her way to a second consecutive Grand Slam final, Krejcikova showcased her entire arsenal of skills, and she’d have to. She outmaneuvered Paolini in a gripping three-set match (6-2, 2-6, 6-4) that saw Krejcikova lose her edge in the second set, and regain it in the third after getting a much needed break at 3-3. At 5-4, Paolini would manage to fight off two match points, but Krejcikova, who served magnificently in the third, mustered up an unreturnable service winner, allowing her to claim her second Grand Slam singles title.
The victory would not just be a testament to Krejcikova’s talent, tactical mind and overall skill but a tribute to Novotna’s enduring legacy. The journey from being a mentee to a champion served as a beautiful ode to the spirit of the game, where Novotna’s history and Krejckova’s destiny would come full circle and would beautifully intertwine on Wimbledon’s Centre Court Saturday afternoon.
With the Wimbledon victory, Krejcikova re-establishes her status on the women’s tour, moving up 22 spots, and returning to the Top 10 (#10) in the rankings this week.
Carlos Alcaraz - Next Era
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I’m a firm believer in Carlos Alcaraz’s ability to regain his mental composure when he’s facing adversity during a tennis match. If you’ve watched him play enough, you’ve seen it too, and you don’t have to look too far back to grasp the extent of his mental resilience on the tennis court.
Just last month in Roland Garros, Alcaraz demonstrated his fortitude by coming back from 2-1 deficits against world number one Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, and again in the final against Alexander Zverev, on his way to his third Grand Slam title.
In the third round at Wimbledon, Alcaraz would battle with Frances Tiafoe for five grueling sets to keep his title defense chances alive. He’d also play four set matches against Tommy Paul and Danil Medvedev, two players who have been problematic for Alcaraz in the past. So when tennis’ greatest men’s champion, Novak Djokovic, broke Alcaraz, who had 3 championship points at 5-4, 40-0 in the third set, even the most die hard believers had to question the young Spaniard’s capacity to recover from such a lapse, and quickly.
Many players might have completely crumbled under such pressure, opening a pathway for a legendary Djokovic comeback on tennis’ biggest stage. Instead, the 21 year old Alcaraz, would push Djokovic to a third set tiebreak where he’d extinguish any hope of a Djokovic resurgence. Alcaraz would successfully defend his Wimbledon title, dispatching Djokovic in straight sets (6-2, 6-2, 7-6), and earn his fourth career Grand Slam title, his second of the year.
From the very first game and for the next two hours and twenty-seven minutes, Alcaraz would exert pressure on the seven-time champion, capitalizing on five out of the fourteen break points, and utilizing a variety of tactics and skills to ensure Djokovic never found any rhythm. With the exception of the unexpected glitch at 5-4, Alcaraz’s performance was nearly flawless.
Djokovic, who underwent a knee procedure of some sort just five weeks ago, insisted the knee was good enough to play Wimbledon. It certainly was feeling good after the Holger Rune match, and to his credit, Djokovic didn’t imply the knee detracted from his performance in the final on Sunday. And since the knee wasn’t a factor, it underscores the high level from Alcaraz on Sunday. He wasn’t just good, he was exceptional.
Carlos Alcaraz is only twenty one years old. He’s yet to actually hit his physical prime and he’s already this good. It’s almost inconceivable to imagine the type of on court wizardry he’ll be able to conjure up in a few years, barring injury. It's important to not only look at what Alcaraz has accomplished the past two months, but more importantly, how he’s accomplished it. Fearlessly, confidently. With unparalleled shot making, superhuman athleticism, and a nine figure smile. Carlos Alcaraz made a huge statement to the tennis world with his victory over Djokovic on Sunday. Whatever the next era of men’s tennis is called, rest assured, Carlos Alcaraz is undoubtedly at the forefront of it.
Jasmine Paolini - Dreaming Big
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I admit it, I didn’t see this coming. Aside from a nice little run at Eastbourne last month, grass courts had not been kind to Jasmine Paolini. Until two weeks ago, Paolini had never made it out of the first round at the All England Club and despite her finals showing at Roland Garros last month, no one, not even her biggest fan, could have envisioned her being poised yet again, to take home a Grand Slam title.
And there I was, clapping loudly, and screaming at the television at six-thirty in the morning. As Paolini took command of the second set against Barbora Krejcikova, I was confident she had survived Krejcikova’s biggest punch. But Krejcikova managed to raise her level in the third, got a much needed break at 3-3, and would stave off two break points at 5-4 to score her second Grand Slam singles title. Breaking my heart in the process, like the fan I said I’d never be.
As my excitement quickly turned to silence post match, my wife gently asked, “You gonna be alright?” “Yeaaaaaahh, I just really wanted this one for her,” I sighed.
Jasmine Paolini had an absolutely stellar run at SW19 this year, with huge wins over Bianca Andreescu, Madison Keys (ret.), Emma Navarro (who she hadn’t beaten), and an epic battle with Donna Vekic on her way to the final against Krejcikova.
Paolini became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to make the finals of Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same season, underlining the 28-year-old Italian's breakout season, including her 1000 title in Dubai in May. She was one win away from delivering Italy its first Wimbledon champion, where no Italian woman had made it past the quarterfinals. She’s also the first Italian woman in the Open Era to reach the final at two different Grand Slam events.
Paolini continues to have the season of her life, captivating fans and doubters alike with her heart, passion, and unyielding positivity. Her stature may be modest, but her spirit and determination are boundless. She’s used that determination to propel her WTA world ranking (No. 5) as well as her bank account ($4.3M) over the past seven months.
Jasmine Paolini’s recent success is a testament to her work ethic, positive attitude and the power of her will to want to get better every day. With every roar of “FORZA,” Paolini garners new fans and inspires existing ones. With every big forehand winner and the “ANDIAMO” that comes with it, she continues to transcend the game, reinforcing the importance of perseverance and positivity. Her season serves as a powerful reminder that true victory lies in the courage to dream big, play with passion, and to keep fighting. Jasmine Paolini may have suffered defeat in two Grand Slam finals, but the game however, the game won. We all did.
Taylor Townsend & Katerina Siniakova - Mother’s Promise
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Taylor Townsend made a heartfelt promise to her three-year-old son, Aydn: she would bring home a Wimbledon championship. Last week, she fulfilled that promise, etching her name into tennis history by clinching her first Grand Slam doubles title. Partnering with doubles savant Katerina Siniakova, Townsend triumphed in the women's doubles final at Wimbledon late on a memorable Saturday night. The duo orchestrated an intense victory over the formidable No. 2 seeds, Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe, prevailing straight sets, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1).
For Townsend, this victory was more than a trophy; it was a testament to her tenacity and perseverance. Her journey had seen its share of near misses, with runner-up finishes at the 2022 U.S. Open and 2023 French Open, both times thwarted by Siniakova and her partner, Barbora Krejcikova. Townsend was also forced to sit out Roland Garros this year while she dealt with an unfortunate ankle injury. The sting of those three-set defeats at the US Open and Roland Garros lingered, yet they also fueled her resolve. Eleven years after winning the girls' doubles title at Wimbledon, Townsend's return to the storied grass courts culminated in an emotional celebration, her journey with Siniakova coming full circle.
The 28-year-old Chicago native's delight was palpable as she reflected on her partnership with Siniakova, a collaboration sparked in a rather modern way: Siniakova reached out to Townsend through social media, a digital olive branch that blossomed into a winning alliance.
“I’m so glad Katerina slid into my DMs,” Townsend shared with a smile, recounting their exchange. “I remember my first Grand Slam final at the 2022 U.S. Open when she kicked my butt, so it was great to be on the same side of the net this time. It’s been an amazing couple of weeks, and it means a lot to get across the finishing line.”
Siniakova, a seasoned champion now with nine Grand Slam doubles titles, brought an esteemed track record to the partnership. Fresh off a victory at Roland Garros with another American, Coco Gauff, Siniakova’s invitation to Townsend was a blend of tradition and modernity, a nod to the evolving ways connections are forged in the digital age. Together, they navigated the Wimbledon field, their expertise, skill, and newfound friendship harmonizing to make them both champions.
This Wimbledon title is more than a milestone in Townsend's career; it is a symbol of dreams deferred but never abandoned, a story of hope and inspiration. A reminder that promises made to loved ones, especially those from a mother, hold a special power. Taylor Townsend's journey to this victory, marked by the bond between a mother and her son, makes for a poignant chapter in this year’s Wimbledon storyline, and we couldn’t be happier about it.
Honorable Mentions
A couple of quick shout outs to some players who didn’t go all the way, but certainly made some noise at SW19 this year, and we can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings for them.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who at 6’8 is already hard to miss, made his presence known by coming through qualifiers, and bulldozed his way into the fourth round. With big serving and solid ground game, Mpetshi Perricard had a solid showing at Wimbledon and has quickly jumped to No. 44 in the ATP Tour rankings after winning the title in Lyon in May.
Ben Shelton unfortunately ran up against the world No. 1 in the fourth round of Wimbledon, losing to Jannik Sinner in straight sets, but only after two lengthy five set wins against Lloyd Harris and Dennis Shapovalov. As Ben gets more time on tour, we’re going to see his game develop into one that translates across all surfaces. Unfortunately, you can’t decide your draw, but we’re excited to see Ben back on the hard courts after the Olympics.
Arthur Fils also had a great showing at Wimbledon this year, making it to the fourth round where he fell to Alex DiMinaur. Fils was in a great tussle with Hubie Hurckacz in the second round when Hurckacz had to retire with a knee injury. He then battled five sets with Roman Safiullin, who is never an easy out, in the third round. It’s been a good year for Fils, and he definitely found some momentum at Wimbledon which he’s carried with him to Hamburg this week, we’re ready for him to make some noise in the second half of the year. Allez Arthur.
If I had to guess, I’d say Yulia Putintseva is the kind of player that probably gets under the skin of a lot of players, not in the locker room, but definitely on the tennis court, and I think she relishes in that. Jokingly, I often refer to her as "The Agitator” and man did she agitate the hell out of Iga Swiatek. To Putinseva’s credit, she’s been playing great tennis this year, making the quarters in Madrid, and taking home the title in Birmingham on the run up to Wimbledon. Putintseva uses her tennis racquet like a Swiss Army knife, and she disrupted Swiatek’s rhythm enough to take her out in three sets, and rather handily I might add (3-6, 6-1, 6-2). And strangely, I wasn't surprised, because that’s just what Putintseva does. Momentum is a helluva drug, and Putintseva mainlined her way to the biggest upset of the tournament. I did say in my Wimbledon preview, I didn't expect to see Swiatek in the final, at least I got something right.
Until Next Year
For now, we bid farewell to Wimbledon 2024, I’ll carry with me the memories of what could have been, along with the magic of seeing some of my favs come through on one of tennis’ biggest stages. This tournament once again affirmed Wimbledon and its grass court's status as the premier and most prestigious of the Grand Slam tournaments. The champions who lifted the trophies leave with a slice of history, while those who fell depart with the resolve and desire to return stronger.
Wimbledon 2024 was a reminder of why we fall in love with sports, even for those of us who do so against our will. Until next year, the lawns of Wimbledon will rest, but the legacy of this fortnight will live on. Now let’s get through the Olympics and get back on U.S. soil for hard court season where like Taylor Townsend’s DMs, it really goes down.
