But This Is Wimbledon

While Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga continue to march their way toward Breakfast at Wimbledon, some may find it distasteful to instead reflect upon the fallen, upon a man who didn't measure up at his time of asking.  The fact remains though, this is Roger Federer; this is Wimbledon. Like it or not, this is the story of the round. Ultimately, on this, the biggest stage in the sport, for the second year running, Federer would be defeated in the quarterfinals, this time bowing out to Tsonga 3-6, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4

Wimbledon Day Eight (3 Thoughts)

It seems that with every major, a storyline emerges that defines not only the fortnight, but the immediate landscape of the game.  The women's game of late, has been dominated by an absence of dominance.  Where Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray provide a level of stability and star power to the men's game, the women have been searching for a champion in more ways than one.

Wimbledon Day Seven (3 Thoughts)

No tennis fan worth his or her salt expected Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro to play this match in a drama-free, light-hearted manner.  A beatdown was never in the cards, what ensued, however, was far more drama than we bargained for.  Nadal pulled out the victory over the 6'6" Argentine 7-6 (6), 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4.  Everyone knew this was the most titanic of matchups, two adversaries with massive artillery ready to lay waste to the lawns of ever genteel Wimbledon.  The only thing dampening the potential of a blockbuster rivalry between the Spanish speaking titans has been injury which has been less a subtext and more the headline of their history.

Revisionist Predicting (Wimbledon's Sweet 16 - WTA)

I consider myself a pretty savvy tennis fan.  I watch tournaments, go to tournaments, read the press and generally keep up with the sport on a daily basis.  By the time I get to a major there's usually a player or two whom I've heard of, but need to see play.  I can't remember the last time we made it to the fourth round of a Wimbledon and two players are in the mix who I not only couldn't pick out of a lineup, but have frankly never heard of before.

I'm also a pretty honest guy, after the men's preview, I'm tired, so forgive me Billie Jean King and Stacey Allaster, here's a slightly truncated (but no less accurate) Wimbledon women's round of 16 preview.

Revisionist Predicting (Wimbledon's Sweet 16 - ATP)

To translate for my brethren who are general sports fans, Monday is Wimbledon's Sweet 16 round.  All of the remaining players in the draw will take the court (British weather permitting) for a shot at the quarterfinals.  The 128 men who showed up a week ago with aspirations, however faint, of hoisting the Wimbledon trophy are down to 16 and there are only a few unexpected contenders among them.  In short, expect some early 4th of July fireworks at the All England Club.

Here's your Wimbledon men's round of 16 preview:

Wimbledon Day Six (3 Thoughts)

As soon as we dub the youth movement in women's tennis dead, we know it will rear its head once more.  Consider this, the youngest women's major champion in the past year was a then 27-year old ex-retiree named Kim Clijsters.  Today, another member of the "old guard" 31 year-old Francesca Schiavone faced a woman more than a decade her junior, Austrian Tamira Paszek, for a spot in the 4th round of Wimbledon.

When we first saw Paszek at the US Open playing the junior final in 2006, she was a 15-year old can't miss prospect.  A year later, she had briefly cracked the Top 40 in the world, won her first WTA title and had reached the fourth round at both Wimbledon and the US Open.  Well, then...not a lot until today.

Wimbledon Day Five (3 Thoughts)

Imagine we're having a drink and talking tennis.  Somewhere in the conversation, I say player X has been in the year end Top 10 nine consecutive times, won 30 career titles, made 5 major finals, led his team to the Davis Cup and that he sucks, you'd look at me like I had three heads.  If I said Andy Roddick sucks, I bet half of you would nod in agreement.  By the way, that was his resume I was quoting above.

Wimbledon Day Four (3 Thoughts)

When you've won the US Open and Wimbledon, not to mention, been a year end No. 1 twice, you're obviously a player who takes a lot of pride in your tennis.  To channel Lleyton Hewitt, amplify that pride a few fold and you might approximate how Hewitt feels about the sport.  When that's how you feel, a second round loss at Wimbledon isn't on the agenda.  Sometimes though, you don't set your own agenda.