Wimbledon Championship: July 2009

Thursday 30 July 2009

POWER RANKINGS

With each passing week the WTA official ranking system makes a bigger mockery of itself.
Somehow, Dinara Safina remains in the top spot, despite Serena Williams claiming the Wimbledon title in swashbuckling fashion.Safina has engineered an impressive rise over the past couple of seasons and the attention of her failure to win a Grand Slam - while holding the No.1 ranking - does her no favors.The WTA's new chief executive, Stacey Allaster, needs to make a revamp of the system a priority or risk further damage to the Tour's credibility.

Sure, Williams plays in considerably fewer tournaments and her performances in smaller events have been mixed. But how can the woman who has won three of the last four Slams not be considered the best in the world?Here is the latest version of the Yahoo! Sports power rankings, with pre-Wimbledon ratings in parentheses. A familiar name heads the list.

1. (2) Serena Williams: Too strong, too dominant, and looking for her third Slam of the year.
2. (4) Venus Williams: Seeking to make up for Wimbledon final disappointment.
3. (1) Dinara Safina: Still on top of the official rankings, but yet to win that elusive Slam title.
4. (8) Elena Dementieva: Will be looking forward to favored hard-court season.
5. (6) Victoria Azarenka: Rising star is back at full fitness and is high on confidence.
6. (3) Svetlana Kuznetsova: French Open champion admits she needs more consistency.
7. (7) Caroline Wozniacki: Danish youngster keeps producing solid results.
8. (NR) Dominika Cibulkova: Has the game and the belief to battle the best.
Related: Elena Dementieva, Venus Williams, Dinara Safina, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Caroline Wozniacki, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka

Thursday 16 July 2009

Wimbledon Championship ends on historic note.

Roger Federer's epic and historic victory in the men's singles final brought the 123rd Wimbledon Championships to a fitting climax in the evening sunshine on Centre Court. After four and a quarter hours he finally overcame the American Andy Roddick in a 30-game fifth set, the longest in Wimbledon history, to claim a record 15th Grand Slam title. How appropriate it was that Pete Sampras, with whom Federer had shared the record following his success last month at the French Open, was a surprise visitor, joining other greats such as Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg in the Royal Box to see history made.

Federer's sixth Wimbledon in seven years of appearances in the final also moves him within one singles victory at The Championships of Sampras, who shares the record of seven with the 19th century English hero, William Renshaw.

Federer had always looked on course for the final once the top seed, Rafael Nadal, pulled out with knee problems. The 27 years old Swiss dropped only one set en route to the final and his progress became increasingly assured as round succeeded round.

There is no doubt that the roof will be needed at future Championships but, for this year, at least, the fact that it remained open was a blessing, an indication that fine weather ensured the punctual finish to an excellent tournament.

Tuesday 7 July 2009

Wimbledon 2010 Dates have been announced

The Championships, Wimbledon

Official web
Location	Wimbledon, London Borough of Merton UK
Venue	The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
Surface	Grass / Outdoor (Except Centre Court during rain and consequently bad light when roof is already in play)
Men's draw	128S (128Q) / 64D (16Q)note 1
Women's draw	128S (96Q) / 64D (16Q)
Mixed draw	48D
Prize money	£13,725,000
Grand Slam
Australian Open French Open Wimbledon US Open
Current
2010 Wimbledon Championships