Quiz.

Who is the ONLY player to have won three Slams in straight sets?

Someone is stealing the balls.

Chances of Nadal completing the career Slam this year?

Grand-Slam Wins Put Federer’s Mark in Nadal’s Sights. From Claire. Thanks.

Click here.

Borg’s inner thoughts on watching Nadal move up.

Nadal’s career has quite a few intriguing similarities to Borg’s. From starting in teen years, to winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon combos, to reaching unusual Slam numbers so early in the career to possibly closing in on 11 Slams by age 26………………………….

If Nadal remains healthy Borg may get a realistic peak at what his career might have looked like if he had not retired early for that noose around his neck and who knows where else. Nadal in on pace to match Borg’s break neck speed at the majors if not exceed it.

Nadal tames Berdych and the elements to become the first Spanish man to win two Wimbledon titles.

With this victory Nadal completed a string of three back to back matches which he was not expected to win. From Soderling to Murray to Berdych all three were coming in with enough momentum, stats and an impressive list of victims to make many wonder if Nadal can even stay with them to lose with some dignity, forget about winning.

Soderling had not lost a set until that unexpected five setter against Ferrer, Murray hadn’t lost a set either expect one against Tsonga alongwith riding a wave of crazed fans from his home and Berdych had dispatched both Federer and Djokovic with amazing ease. On the other hand, Nadal not only had a five setter against that Pet guy he dropped two additional sets to get here – total sets dropped five.

So Nadal was hammered from both ends leaving very little hope he will even make it to the next round, kick starting discussions of a new Wimbledon champion. Not only did Nadal win each of those encounters he slayed the dragons so mercilessly that they went out with their tail between the legs – two of them in straight sets. Nadal adjusted his game at each of these matches to so completely neutralize the opponents’ strength that it all appeared like a massive mismatch. This has to be one of the toughest if not ‘the’ toughest road to the title in the history of Slams further embellished by the ease with which the three games were dismantled piece by piece.

Nadal’s ruthless handling of Soderling who is still considered a notch above Berdych in terms of power, flatter shots etc. crept so deep into Berdych’s mind that he lost the form he used to brush Federer and Djokovic aside. With windy conditions intervening, Nadal had to improvise to find a way that didn’t look pretty at times but it was lot more than Berdych could do to shift to plan B. Berdych was made to look so ordinary that you had to wonder how he even reached here – over Federer and Djokovic.

The key once again was Nadal’s serve. Although he just fired five aces which is still nearly double his career average, there were many easy points he was able to bag as Berdych was either barely able to touch the ball on ‘non aces’ or miss-hit the return. Hope Nadal continues to work on his serve even harder to turn it into a real asset – even on hard courts.

More photos.

Where’s her trailer? Geeeeeeeezzzzzzz!!!!!!!

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Pat Cash (2ndR) and Mark Woodforde of Australia (R) celebrate winning their Mens Seniors Invitational Doubles match against Jeremy Bates (L) of Great Britain and Anders Jarryd of Sweden on Day Thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 4, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Tracy Austin in action during the Ladies Invitational Doubles Final against Martina Navratilova of USA and Jana Novotna of Czech Republic on Day Thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 4, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Oh oh!!!!!!!!!!!!

What kind of BS rug is that?

Stella poem for today. Thanks.

STELLA

we used to sing “rounds ” around the caampfire as Brownies and Guides.

so this is
rafa and Tomas in roundabout way.

Wimbledon July 4th.
4th final there for Nadal.
Nadal wins in straights over Berdych.
Berdych can’t break Rafa’s serve.
Serve wide to the ad court.
Court baseline turned to dry clay.
Clay no worries for Rafa.
Rafa , second title at Wimbledon.
Wimbledon July 4th.
4th final there for Nadal ………….. and so on, and so on

Info on Wimbledon trophy. From Jenny. Thanks.

JENNY

“The Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy (the Men’s Singles, in plain American English) is a silver gilt cup and cover, presented by the All England Club in 1887, inscribed “The All England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Champion of the World.” The Cup stands 18 ½-inches high and has a diameter of 7 ½-inches. The Cup has a classical style with two handles and a raised foot. The lid is formed with a pineapple on top and a head covered with a winged helmet beneath each handle. There are two decorative borders with floral work and oval styled moldings on the bowl of the Cup and on the handles.

Since 1949, all champions have received a miniature replica of the trophy (height 8 ½-inches) to take with them.”

I would imagine the replica is identical in all aspects.

Wanted Bulletin Poll. From RafaFan. Thanks.

RAFAFAN

Wanted Bulletin Poll

TP could you do such a poll? We know that you want to keep this freaking wonderful blog free from insulting people! Let the users decide if such a netiquette would be appreciated! i.e. Poster X banned for n years for breaking the rule of #@!§& etc. etc. I guess this could be a perfect way to communicate your rules to the community and would help to improve the quality of this freaking site. There is also a fun factor for the rest of the posters. You know people like CSI, Miami Vice and that kind of stuff!

It would be very useful if TP could provide a banned section. TP could you do that please? Sort of a Wanted Bulletin? There is still space left in the menu, right to the Wanna Post hot spot. With this we know that these posters only have been banned and didn’t suffer from sudden death. Thank you.

Wimbledon Grass Is Green but Slower. From Banti. Thanks.

Click here.

Photos.

Navratilova is a closet hetero! From Bjornino. Thanks.

BJORNINO

TP, I have some shocking news: Navratilova is a closet hetero!

Have a nice Sunday and enjoy the final!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jul/04/martina-navratilova-wimbledon-tennis

“Does Navratilova feel frustrated that even after all these years women’s tennis is still reduced to conversations about backsides? “Please, it’s ridiculous,” she says, before pointing out the distinction between appreciating physical beauty and being derogatory. “You know, I was looking at Rafa [Nadal], we did an interview with him, and as he walks in I’m like, ‘my God, he’s got a great butt.’”

She laughs. “I mean he’s gorgeous. That’s a compliment, but not in a sleazy way. The problem with the women is it just becomes very degrading because they’re not talking about them as a person or as an athlete, they’re taking about them as a sexual object. I don’t like that.” Is she still excited watching women’s tennis? “Sure,” she says, vaguely, but seconds later she is asking if the interview could come to an end. “I’m pretty cooked.””