Serena wins fourth Wimbledon, passes King on all-time Slam list

[davey25]

In a scene that has become every bit as familiar as strawberries and cream, a Williams' sister hoisted the Rosewater dish at the All England Club on the first Saturday of July.

For the ninth time in 11 years, Venus or Serena Williams was the victor at Wimbledon, with Serena taking honors this year courtesy a 6-3, 6-2 win over Russian Vera Zvonareva. It's Serena's second straight Wimbledon title and her fouth overall. She now has won 13 Grand Slams in her career, moving her past Billie Jean King for sixth on the all-time list.

Just as she did in her semifinal win over Petra Kvitova, Serena started her match sluggishly, splitting the first six games and keeping alive of modicum of suspense in a match most figured would be a rout. A break in Zvonareva's fourth service game gave Serena a 5-3 lead and the defending champion subsequently served out the first set with ease.

Zvonareva was quickly broken in the first game of the second set and any hopes she and the rabidly-partisan crowd on Centre Court had of a miracle were dashed. Twenty-seven minutes later, Serena held her serve at love, threw her racket in the air and celebrated her fourth Wimbledon championship.

After the match Serena said in jest, "Hey Billie, I got you," a reference to passing the tennis legend in Grand Slams. From here, Serena can set her sights on her tennis legacy. She's five Slams behind Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. That's a lot of work for someone about to turn 29, but with as dominant as Serena was during this tournament, it's not inconceivable that she could approach the two tennis greats.

Serena served 89 aces in the tournament, a women's record. She won 94 percent of first serve points in the final and was perfect when coming to the net. It was a nearly flawless performance from the world's best player.

Serena continues her march up the historical tennis ladder.

 

[Serendipitous]

SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[davey25]

SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are a nice fluffy cat, do you need a brushing.

 

[Don Felder]

I can't wait to see the ratings for this match. They are gonna be ABYSMAL.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

In sports, so few events are noteworthy or historic, so when one occurs, it is natural to hear or read genuine, positive comments. Obviously, Serena's win is of historical note acknowlegded by (in no surprise) intelligent observers. However, do not be surprised to see this thread soiled by the same kind of trolls TomatoSoup referred to in another "Williams" thread--each trying ignore the significance of today's final, SW's career overall, trolling/flaming with irrelevant nonsense (or their typically socially ill references), or anything other than posting with reason leading their way.

 

[thalivest]

It must be exciting for Serena to pass King. King was a mentor to the Williams as they were coming up and I know they have always thought highly of her. Serena is proving what a great player and legend of tennis she is.

 

[Justdoit10]

Serena is 12th on my All time list.

 

[thalivest]

Serena is 12th on my All time list.

Behind who?

 

[thalivest]

http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/articles/2010-07-03/201007031278180551194.html

Serena Williams is disappointed. That was the word she used on the day she won her fourth Wimbledon title and the 13th Grand Slam crown of her career - more now than Billie Jean King. Moreover, it was the second time she had gone through an entire tournament without losing a single set.

"Yeah, that was cool," she agreed. "I did that in the US Open in - what was it? - 2002. But it was a little disappointing this time that I wasn't down match point and come back to win."

Oh well. Chances are she'll probably be able to live with the frustration of it all, one way or another. After all, inside the Wimbledon Clubhouse soon after her victory over Vera Zvonareva, she could be seen quite literally dancing for joy.

"I was feeling really Frank Sinatra-ish," she laughed. "Come Fly With Me, Fly Me To The Moon. Old-style dance. That's what I felt like at that moment. It means a lot because it's number 13. So it's cool because I was able to pass Billie. To have four Wimbledons is really exciting. You never know what tomorrow brings.

"I honestly didn't think I was playing my best. I felt like my strokes were off, especially in the first week. In practice I felt I was connecting late. I'm really happy to have got through that. I missed a lot of first serves today. I think Vera knew going into the match that I was serving well, so she really returned well. I didn't hit as many aces as in my first few matches. But I have a really consistent serve and I place it well. She did a really good job reading them and being prepared. That was really impressive."

While everybody else may have considered Williams the hot favourite, she made it clear the job still had to be done and no one was going to hand the trophy to her gratis. She still remembers the 2004 final here, when she was favourite to beat Maria Sharapova and lost.

"I still get nervous on these occasions, absolutely," she insisted. "I'm totally human. It's not easy to go out there when everyone's expecting you to win. It makes it even more difficult.

At least she will have no last-minute worries about what to wear to Sunday night's Champions' Dinner. When you've won three Wimbledons already, there are certain precautions you take when setting off for your next Grand Slam tournament.

"I always pack a dress when I come to Wimbledon," she explained. "So I have a dress that I bought. It's Max Azria, but I might change my mind and wear something else."

How many more times might she go to that dinner as champion? Now 28, with an seemingly ever increasing hunger for success, might she still be playing in ten years? Apparently not.

"If I'm still playing at 38," she said to the journalist who asked her, "I want you to personally escort me off the court. There's no way I need to be out here at 38."

So the Williams' near-duopoly of the Wimbledon final over the last decade will end one day. But at the moment, it is difficult to see when.

 

[Fedace]

Any taped recording ??? anywhere ?? i heard it was a classic???

 

[1970CRBase]

This match was a complete mismatch. VZ was a mile out of her depth. I don't agree with those comments that Serena Williams was playing very well; she didn't need to. She took out just enough firepower to win nice and comfy for herself. She had 21 guns in the hold, barely had to leisurely unlimber 2 of them.

Looking back it's unlucky how Serena missed that mp against Sam at the French. She would've probably won that match in straight sets. Frankly, it was SW struggling hard to find her own game with tons of unforced errors and mistakes more than much of what Sam did. Or Serena would doubtless have cut down skinny Francesca in the final and she would be 3/4 of the way to CGS.

It's just as well, seeing how bad everybody else is, that it's Serena Williams who is still in charge this decade. Otherwise, the WTA will be in sad sad straits indeed. Right now we don't see the equivalents of an 86 Graf or 89 Monica or 96 Hingis - or a 98 Serena, a young contender rising up so hard and fast she is scaring everybody else at the top. Serena's natural successor as queen of this decade should have appeared in our sights by now, she who needs to be of the right age, around 18 or 19, who needs to be somebody who can truly frighten Serena like, for instance, Graf did to Navratilova in 1986, and who has to singlehandedly dynamically change the way the game is won with a new world style. We'll know that person when we see her.

Unfortunately, nobody we can see even comes close to worrying Serena one bit. Nobody is doing anything special or different anymore, other than the usual bashing. But nobody out bashes Serena who happens to be way more than just a basher. I just don't see her getting old soon or losing any of her strength at all. So when Serena Williams claims she wouldn't be playing at 38, I don't believe her. She will just keep playing at her own pace, avoiding a Graf like career destroyed by overplay and injuries, collecting her slams, which is all she cares about; for most of the rest of the 2010s until she's bored with it.

 

[davey25]

Serena has way too many other life interests to be playing tennis at 38. Some players only have tennis but not Serena. I would be shocked if she were playing past 2014 at the latest. And the aging effect will take place on anyone, regardless how good or bad you think the womens field is or will be in the coming years. If Serena wins 2 or 3 slams at 31 or beyond she will already be something extraordinary as no women in the Open Era has won more than 1.

 

[1970CRBase]

When Serena is 31, you will have to compare her physical condition to what Navratilova was like at 31 and also relative to the rest of the field by that time. People all age differently. (Graf was physically destroyed by 1998 or even after the end of 1996 and had one last spark left in her in the summer of 1999)

 

[davey25]

Navratilova was denied many more slams by Graf but she was also starting to suffer losses to the likes of Zvereva, Garrison, and even older Evert, Maleeva, and a slew of others in slams once she reached 31. She also started skipping slams to stay fresh. Navratilova was the latest bloomer in tennis history.

I dont doubt Serena can win some slams even after turning 30. I wouldnt have started the thread about her reaching 20 slams if I didnt. However you are exagerrating all the same. The aging effect takes place on everyone, it will take place on Serena like it is on Venus now. And anyway like i said Serena would not want to play tennis at 38. She has to well rounded a life and too many other things she wants to do.

 

[WChiang]

Serena is 12th on my All time list.

I believe that you might want to rethink "Peanut Louie" as #7. Just sayin'...

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

Serena has way too many other life interests to be playing tennis at 38. Some players only have tennis but not Serena. I would be shocked if she were playing past 2014 at the latest. And the aging effect will take place on anyone, regardless how good or bad you think the womens field is or will be in the coming years. If Serena wins 2 or 3 slams at 31 or beyond she will already be something extraordinary as no women in the Open Era has won more than 1.

Serena loves to win. That much is obvious. She does not seem like the type of player to go out when on top, it's not unlikely that if she's still winning slams, she could play past 2012 at earliest, 2014 or 2015 is not out of the question.

There are no new contenders, none, I think there's less than 10 teenagers in the top 100, I know WTA isn't a teen game anymore, but still there aren't any newcomers who would replace Serena, unless Azarenka turns around (unlikely) or Wozniacki adds more to her game (possible, but not very likely). Who else is there?

It's not unreasonable that Serena could win 1-2 slams a year for the next 4 years, if she manages to stay healthy. That is the main concern.

 

[pshulam]

Serena loves to win. That much is obvious.

Who does not?

It's not unreasonable that Serena could win 1-2 slams a year for the next 4 years ..

Very achievable since no one can return her serves effectively.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Serena has way too many other life interests to be playing tennis at 38. Some players only have tennis but not Serena. I would be shocked if she were playing past 2014 at the latest. And the aging effect will take place on anyone, regardless how good or bad you think the womens field is or will be in the coming years. If Serena wins 2 or 3 slams at 31 or beyond she will already be something extraordinary as no women in the Open Era has won more than 1.

It is possible for SW to play past 31; acknowledging her outside interests, she's still one of the most competitive players ever to step on a court, and is very aware of her place in history, so I would not be at all surprised if she sets the Martina singles record as her personal marker. Meaning, if she's able to pass that, she has the option to slow down a bit until she's ready to call it a career.

 

[thalivest]

It is possible for SW to play past 31; acknowledging her outside interests, she's still one of the most competitive players ever to step on a court, and is very aware of her place in history, so I would not be at all surprised if she sets the Martina singles record as her personal marker. Meaning, if she's able to pass that, she has the option to slow down a bit until she's ready to call it a career.

I agree too she could well play past 31. I could see her playing until maybe say 32 or 33. I dont see her playing at 38 as one poster indicated though. I agree she sees Martina and Chris's slam wins total as a personal marker and something to motivate her.

 

[boredone3456]

She's still behind King on my List at number 9, she either needs to win quite a few more non slam singles titles or at least one more major, likely 2 more in order to pass King in my book.