Pictures from the Official Wimbledon Site
It’s Wimbledon Time again! And I cannot be more excited. For me, it’s the World Series, NBA Championship, Superbowl, Stanley Cup, and whatever the Soccer Finals are called, all wrapped up in one.
Although, I have to admit, I miss the heck out of Pete and Andre — so much! Their retirement came much too soon for me and the tennis world. I can’t imagine anyone ever being as exciting as those two guys.
However, I said the same thing when Becker and Edberg left, and before them, Bjorn and Mac and Jimmy. And before them Arthur and Vitas and Martina and Chrissy and … yes, I go way back.
I started watching tennis as a little girl with me “mum”. Only I called her Momma. I was the Captain of my High School Varsity Tennis team. I had an opportunity to play for college, but turned down a full scholarship to be a — cough — cheerleader. My bad. I was 18. Maybe, instinctively, I knew I didn’t have the stuff. Whatever.
The players today are okay, Roger dominating, like Tiger, makes it kind of boring. But Roger is growing on me. I love the blazer thing. The guy has a little showmanship going on. Keeping things interesting.
I had hoped Roddick and Blake would give him a go, but so far, they are still finding their stride. It’s okay guys. Remember Andre took awhile, and then he became a legend. You guys are already legends, because you’re there and you’re good. You’ll get your Grand Slams. It’s coming.
Venus and Serena — girrrls, okay now – here’s a little Monday morning quarterbacking, unsolicited advice: Win as many championships as you can…dominate the field…take it all home, like Roger. It doesn’t matter if people say it’s boring to have you two playing each other in every finals.
You don’t see Roger or Tiger backing down or slacking off. Get fierce and stay fierce until it’s over. (I know ‘fierce’ belongs to that reality fashion show designer, Christiane is it? He’s adorable — but I was using ‘fierce’ in high school a thousand years ago, oh, kay?)
The thing is, tennis careers end suddenly. It’s like one day you’re on top and the next day, some fresh new thing pops on the scene and you can’t beat’em for crap. They just take over. And you’re over.
Boris and Stefan did it to Jimmy and John and Bjorn. Pete and Andre did it to Boris and Stefan. Hewitt (Who?) did it to Pete, for a minute, and then Roger came along and did it to everyone. It looks like Senor Nadal is pulling a few rabbits out of the hat lately. Watch out Roger. That’s all I’m saying. It’s in the history books.
In a perfect world, Pete and Andre would come out of retirement and kick everyone’s butt. But that never happens. Ask Michael Jordan, Bjorn, Mac and Connors. But Connors came back and brought the show for awhile, at 40!
The other thing is, when you’ve been great, leave your record on the wall, step away with Grace, like Andre, and let us remember the good ole days. The way it was. Maybe Sampras and Agassi will become movie producers. Call me guys. I’ve got a script.
We can be the new Dreamworks SKG; call it, ASAP Entertainment, for Agassi, Sampras, Amani Productions. Sounds good to me. (Can you tell I might have been fantasizing about this for awhile?) Told you I was a tennis addict. Freak!
No seriously, I do have a great script, guys. John? Jimmy? Gorgeous Bjorn over there in the South of France? I’ll relocate.
Anyway, my American Champions, good luck, have fun, and relish this time. And Roger? Wear that cool blazer again. It’s hot.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:32 am
I found your site on google blog search and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. Just added your RSS feed to my feed reader. Look forward to reading more from you.
Karen Halls