July 7, 2008 Well, my predictions were half right or half wrong...Venus played a great finals against her sister Serena. I thought at one point Venus would allow her sister to instill her powerful game and mind and convince Venus she should win...but she didn't. Now on the men's side one thing for sure, I don't think anyone will argue that this years' men's finals between Rafa and Roger was the best tennis ever played by any player on any surface. I've seen lots of Wimbledon finals with the first being in 1966 when I saw Manolo Santana from Spain win the men's singles finals. 42 years later Nadal dethrones Wimbledon Champion Roger in his house and becomes the 2nd Spaniard to win on grass. It meant even more in so many ways. To Rafa..finally a dream come true to beat Roger in his house and win the coveted Wimbledon title, to Roger....a heart breaker and maybe a career breaker. Is this the beginning of the end for him? To tennis and the fans, a change in the guards? A new No. 1 in the Horizon? I think it will take a lot more to bring Roger down to the level of mortals. I believe he has more to give, more to prove and improve. He has a record to break...Pete Sampras 14 Grand Slams. These are still goals I believe Roger will accomplish. Perhaps Nadal did him a favor by pushing him beyond his comfort zone and letting him know that he is nipping at his heals and at his record. Nadal deserved to win but I don't think Roger deserved to lose! Now our divine interests turn to the U.S. Open to see who will conquer Flushing Meadows!!
June
23, 2008 Hello Tennis Fans! Unfortunately, I will not be at my favorite place in the world...Wimbledon. But I will be watching and following the results carefully on my big screen TV. I will also be talking to my long time partner and friend, Billie Jean King, who will be over there celebrating the 40th Anniversary of her victory alongside tennis great Rod Laver. She and Rod Laver were invited by the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club and will spend the whole fortnight watching from the Royal Box, having lunch and tea in the Member's Enclosure. As a singles Wimbledon Champion you receive two Center Court tickets for the rest of your life and also become an Honorary member of the A.E.L.T.C.C. Can't get any better then that!! Now, for my Wimbledon picks...
My picks and why? Venus: Has to serve well and do a little volleying. Second choice: Serena. She can serve well and likes grass. Let me know who your picks are and if you have any grasscourt Wimbledon questions , email me! Rosie
"Rosebud" Casals |
Probably
not too hard on the men's side but for the women's side, I think
anything thing goes. With the men, I'm going to go with Roger
Federer....this is his "House" and although he had a disappointment
at the French it's nothing he hasn't dealt with for the last couple
of years. I also predict that Nadal will get to the finals again.
He's really improved his serve, volley and grasscourt tennis..
Both fresh from grass court victories and high on confidence..
Roger in 4 sets. 
There
is no sure winner on the women's side. Last year it was to be
Justine Henin but she fell short of the mark and now she's retired
so that's one down.... Venus, well that was a surprise to everyone
except her dad who always said Venus was going to win Wimbledon
last year and not Serena. Serena, well you can never tell what
she's going to do. When you think she's going to win she loses
and when you think she should lose she wins.... Maria Sharapova....you
just never know with Maria... I think she has a better chance
on grass then on clay but her serve can be good and bad and when
it's good she wins but when it's bad, which is most of the time,
she loses. She will need to serve well on grass to have a chance.
Ivanovic...not ready yet... She did well to win the French Open
but I don't think she's ready to win on grass. Needs a better
serve and volley game...but who volleys anymore on grass????