Bookworm

Navratilova Retires

"The tournament began with a tribute to Billie Jean King and ended with a tribute to Martina Navratilova, who retired from competition late Saturday. Navratilova, 49, was inducted into the United States Open Court of Champions in a ceremony before the men’s final yesterday.

Pam Shriver, her former longtime doubles partner, and Chris Evert, her greatest rival, saluted her for her courage and kindness.

Navratilova told the packed Arthur Ashe Stadium that she lived by words Katherine Hepburn once told her: “ ‘It’s not what you do in life, it’s what you finish.’ Now I finished something.”

On Saturday night, Navratilova and Bob Bryan won the mixed doubles championship by defeating Kveta Peschke and Martin Damm of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-3. It was Navratilova’s 59th title in a major." [NY Times]

One Last Kiss From Agassi

"In a 21-year tennis career that came to a close at the United States Open yesterday, Agassi produced many a memorable plot twist; he reshaped his image, physique, priorities and place in the game by force of personality and an often underrated will. But in his hobbled state, slowed by back pain, he could not reshape the course of a third-round match against the qualifier Benjamin Becker of Germany, losing by 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5." [NY Times]

I sort of had a feeling when Agassi double-faulted to end the first set in Becker's favor that this might be his last match.  [My father-in-law, who was visiting last week, and I had a similar double take when we first heard that Agassi would be playing someone named Becker.  Boris Becker??]   

Wimbledon 2006

It's that time of year again.  For some reason, I enjoy this championship the best, although the U.S. Open is a close second.  I just checked the official site (The Championships, Wimbledon 2006) and find that rain is interrupting play (a perennial Wimbledon issue).  Andre Agassi has announced that this is his last Wimbledon and that he will retire after the U.S. Open.  I'm always sad to see a favorite retire, but it's got to be difficult to stay in competition shape as you get older.

Venus Williams Wins Third Wimbledon Championship

Rats.  I really wanted Lindsay Davenport to pull it out and win today.  She had chances, but when the set or the match was on the line, Venus just took it up a notch.  I think Lindsay was hampered by some sort of injury, too, but she really hung in there.  A really good  match.

Henin-Hardenne Loses in First Round of Wimbledon

"Henin-Hardenne has made a deeply entertaining habit of extricating herself from perilous situations on the most prestigious tennis courts of the world. This month in Paris, she went on to win the French Open after saving two match points in the fourth round.  It was a surprise, then, on Tuesday to see Henin-Hardenne's second serve strike the net cord and land on the wrong side of a white line. . . Henin-Hardenne has won every Grand Slam tournament but Wimbledon. Despite her affinity for grass, she could not overcome her lack of preparation and her bigger opponent, Eleni Daniilidou of Greece, in the first round at the All England Club."  [NY Times]

Wimbledon

Wimbledon began this week.  I have to start finding some new players to root for, as many of those I enjoyed in the past have retired.  Link: The Championships, Wimbledon 2005

U.S. Open

I didn't get a chance to see as much of the Open as I would've liked, but I did see part of the Capriati/Henin-Hardenne match, and the women's final between Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters. Justine looks so slender; it amazes me how much power she generates in her groundstrokes. I also saw a bit of Agassi's match against Ferrero, as well as Andy Roddick's final two matches. It seemed like Roddick just couldn't believe that he would lose, in the semifinal match where he came back to win after being down two sets. Good tennis.

Tennis News 08/26/03

• Andre Agassi and Jennifer Capriati won their first round matches.
• Michael Chang lost in the first round and is retiring from tennis.
• As rumored last week, Pete Sampras has retired.
• Neither of the Williams sisters will play in the Open this year. Serena had knee surgery this summer and Venus has an abdominal injury.

Retirement, at 32?

"Pete Sampras has not played in a tournament for almost a year, since his stirring triumph over Andre Agassi in the 2002 United States Open final. Now, people with knowledge of Sampras's plans say that there is a strong likelihood he will announce his retirement within days, and that there will be a ceremony honoring him on Monday night at the United States Open." [NY Times]

Wimbledon

As is my usual pattern, I didn't watch any of the tournament in the first week. I wish I had, because I didn't get to see Agassi play at all. Often in years past we would've been at my in-laws' camp up north on the holiday weekend, but the camp was sold last summer. This year we were home, planning to enjoy the Yankees/Red Sox series and Wimbledon. The women's final Saturday morning was not that great. The Williams sisters play amazing tennis, but usually not against each other. This time Venus was battling an injury and Serena seemed incapable of putting the match away. Given the injury it seemed, and was, inevitable that Serena would prevail. Sunday morning's men's final surprised me. I didn't know much about Roger Federer and knew that Philippoussis had defeated Agassi, so I predicted Philippoussis would win. When I awoke and tuned in the match, it was a dogfight. Eventually as the sets wore on, it became clear that Federer was in the zone and would likely win. I really enjoyed watching some of the doubles matches Saturday and Sunday. The young man who played with Martina Navratilova for the mixed doubles championship was so sweet, thanking Martina for making him her vehicle to greatness.