TENNIS: Davis Cup and Roger Federer
Sep. 17th, 2022 04:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
feather_ghyllSo, the Davis Cup was on in Glasgow, but who knows where it was being shown on television. I don’t feel bad for not understanding the format, because they’ve changed it every year for the last three years, but the USA beat the UK, with Paul beating Evans, Norrie beating Fritz and Ram and Sock beating Salisbury and Murray (that’s Andy, not Jamie.) Ouch for Salisbury and Ram, facing each other days after a massive win. I can see why Neal Skupski might feel disappointed not to be called up and I can see why Smith went for Murray too.
The UK next played the Netherlands (the USA beat Khasakstan, who had already lost to the Netherlands, so the Americans were through to the next stage later in the year.) This time Evans won his match, but Norrie lost to Vanderschlup, and although it went to three sets, Murray and Salisbury lost the doubles, aainst Neal Supski’s partner.
But the big tennis news of the week has to be that Roger Federer is reitring, which may be lost among the Queen’s death. In tennis, all the chatter has been about Serena Williams retiring or evolving or whatever. There has been less talk of Federer all summer, as he didn’t return to play at Wimbledon, where he surely would have if he could. This year, Nadal and Djokovic surpassed his haul of grand slams, but Federer really has been one of the greats. His tennis has been beautiful and deadly enough that you wanted to use the word imperious from when he beat Sampras in those Wimbledon quarter finals on until Nadal started beating him in places other than Roland Garros – what a rivalry because of their styles – and Djovokic and a few times Murray got him, and then time and injury. After a tournament where some very young talents shone, it’s fitting to reflect on one of the most luminous sportsperson over the past decades.
The UK next played the Netherlands (the USA beat Khasakstan, who had already lost to the Netherlands, so the Americans were through to the next stage later in the year.) This time Evans won his match, but Norrie lost to Vanderschlup, and although it went to three sets, Murray and Salisbury lost the doubles, aainst Neal Supski’s partner.
But the big tennis news of the week has to be that Roger Federer is reitring, which may be lost among the Queen’s death. In tennis, all the chatter has been about Serena Williams retiring or evolving or whatever. There has been less talk of Federer all summer, as he didn’t return to play at Wimbledon, where he surely would have if he could. This year, Nadal and Djokovic surpassed his haul of grand slams, but Federer really has been one of the greats. His tennis has been beautiful and deadly enough that you wanted to use the word imperious from when he beat Sampras in those Wimbledon quarter finals on until Nadal started beating him in places other than Roland Garros – what a rivalry because of their styles – and Djovokic and a few times Murray got him, and then time and injury. After a tournament where some very young talents shone, it’s fitting to reflect on one of the most luminous sportsperson over the past decades.
