Another Wimbledon is in the Books

Here are a Few of My Thoughts

1. Novak Djokovic shed some baggage from close losses that might have been weighing him down in big moments and big matches.  With 7 major titles and a return to the #1 ranking, the most consistent player on tour from 2012-2014 is beginning to become the most decorated player on tour as he was in 2011.
2. Petra Kvtiova put on a near perfect display of tennis in the final and put on a display of great nerves and skill in defeating a 5 time champion in the first week of the event.
3. Roger Federer has made shifts to a new racquet and a new coach.  These shifts have paid off as he came within 2 games of claiming his 18th major after a largely disappointing 2013 campaign on tour.
4. Boris Becker has to be happy because no matter how well he and Nole get along a 3rd Slam without a title might have sunk their experiment.
5. Eugenie Bouchard has made a strong charge toward the top of women’s tennis.  Her 55 minute loss at the hands of an opponent who gave her no chances to gain traction will present a new challenge to her. I suspect in the long run this loss will not derail her ambition to become a champion.
6. Grigor Dimitrov reached the semifinal round at Wimbledon, played the new World #1 tough, and won Queen’s Club.  His first round loss in Paris is in the rearview mirror.  He seems slightly ahead of the steady performer Milos Raonic among the under 25 crowd.
7.  Simona Halep was overpowered by Bouchard who was then overpowered by Kvitova.  Halep has enough game to win Roland Garros, but she may need to develop one or two more weapons to win the biggest prizes on hard courts or grass.
8. Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams all leave Wimbledon with different concerns.  Has Maria become a clay court specialist?  Can Serena find her best tennis in pressure situations? Can Venus stay healthy enough to consistently repeat her level of play vs. Kvitova?  Oddly, Venus’ leaves Wimbledon with the most positive experience.
9. Andy Murray seems to be in a bad place.  Is he healthy?  Is he match tough?  Where did the guy go who referred to his coach as “Mr. Lendl” and set aside petulant behavior on  court?  He can right the ship so to speak, but with the under 25 crowd starting to make some noise, he will not want to wait too long.
10. Nick Kyrgios appears to be a player to watch.