Glorious Wimbledon

Maria Bueno had a full second week at glorious Wimbedon (photo by David Musgrove, Tennis Today)

7 July 2014

A glorious Wimbledon fortnight for tennis

For Maria, it was a glorious fortnight at The Championships, celebrating the fiftieth year since her last Wimbledon singles title in 1964.

For the rest of us it was a celebration of modern tennis and the challenge of a younger generation on the establishment.

“The second week provided plenty of upsets and more wonderful tennis,” said Maria.

“We saw the unlikely collapse of Andy Murray in the quarter final when Grigor Dimitrov, who we knew was a dangerous player in the draw after he won Queen’s, overwhelmed the defending champion.

“While there was no shame in the loss, I was really surprised at how Andy’s game failed after his excellent first week.

“Admittedly he had an easy draw and that’s not always so good because when you are eventually tested, you get a bit nervous but he didn’t seem to be able to fight back and that was a real surprise.”

There was speculation in the media of a rift with his team or an argument with his girlfriend and/or coach just before the match but nothing has since been verified.

As for Murray, he says he simply had a bad day at the office.

“So did Rafa [Nadal] apparently,” continued Maria. “He fought like a tiger against the young Australia, Nick Kyrgios, but lost in four tight sets.

“The youngster produced some amazing tennis but under normal circumstances you would expect Rafa to come through a match like that. It got everyone very excited.”

Quick Kvitova’s crown

“The women’s draw was also full of upsets. Serena [Williams] was followed out by Maria Sharapova, beaten by Angelique Kerber,” Maria continued.

“I was in the Royal Box that day and I couldn’t believe how well Kerber retrieved impossible shots and kept on fighting. We all know how Sharapova never gives up but Kerber managed to outplay her in three very close sets.

“Unfortunately it took a lot out of her and she lost in the next round as did Alize Cornet after beating Serena, both to Eugenie Bouchard.

“The young Canadian made it all the way to the final, beating Simona Halep in the semis, yet another upset.

“In the other half, [Petra] Kvitová came through a draw that saw Victoria Azarenka, Li Na and Agnieska Radwanska all beaten early.

“She was unbeatable in the final, starting flat out and finding the corners so that Bouchard hardly stood a chance. It was over so fast, the quickest final since 1939 apparently, that it was a bit disappointing and you have to feel for Bouchard, who clearly had great expectations.”

A Great Men’s Final

On the men’s side, two ‘veterans’ put paid to the young pretenders chances to reach the final
“Roger [Federer] played so well to get there and only dropped one set, to Stan Wawrinka in the quarters, while [Novak] Djokovic struggled from the beginning, losing sets almost every match.

“I really fancied Roger to win his eighth title but you have to admire the fighting qualities of Djokovic.

“When Federer went 2-5 down in the fourth, we thought it was all over, but he clung on against all the odds and managed to win it! I thought then he could win the match but Djokovic played really well to come back and win.

“It’s amazing that Djokovic and Kvitová both won the titles in 2011 too!”

Royal treatment

Maria’s social diary continued to keep her busy, culminating in the Champions Dinner held for the first time at the Royal Opera House in Coventry Garden on Sunday night.

“It certainly was a busy weekend, with the Royal Box on Saturday and the men’s final on Sunday,” she said.

“I was privileged to receive a gift from the Chairman during the lunch on Saturday. It is a great photo of me playing my ’64 final in a frame. I had a chance to say a few words about how much I appreciate everything Wimbledon does for me.

“We stayed until the end of the men’s doubles final that went until after 9.15 at night. It was a great match with the underdogs, who had never played with each other until Wimbledon [Vacek Pospisil and Jack Sock], beating the Bryan brothers in five sets!

“It was a bit of a scramble to get home, change and get to Coventry Garden on time after the men’s final, which took over four hours.

“This was a new venue for the Champions Dinner and I think it was a great success. Certainly all the guests seemed to think so.

“It was good to see the two champions arrive in good time and to take such enjoyment from their wins.

“It’s a great achievement to win Wimbledon. I should know!”