Congratulations to both Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, 2013 US Open singles champions. For Serena, it's Major #17. For Rafa, #13. For both, a place in the all-time pantheon is quite secure. Both of my initial picks, Victoria Azarenka and Novak Djokovic, lost in the finals.
Serena has the inside track for the year-end #1 ranking on the women's side. On the men's, Rafa still has some work to do. While he has 2 Slam titles on the year to Novak's 1, Djokovic was at least a semifinalist at all 4 Majors. Rafa's never been one to finish the year strongly, either. We shall see...
Serena was a rockstar, I knew she would do it! :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't have a pick between the men, but I thoroughly enjoyed the match. It was like watching a tennis clinic. Just perfection.
I have no problem rooting for Rafa over Novak. I always have. I also enjoyed that match, even if it was a bit one-sided in the end.
DeleteI have enjoyed watching The Open off and on for two weeks. The Mixed Doubles final was terrific.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that Victoria Azarenka is a very nice person but her extremely high pitched grunting makes me want who ever she plays win.
I thought Serena was really great this Open, she was really moving nicely on court.
Sorry that Murry lost I wanted him to win.
The final between Rafa and Novak was really exciting. The long rallies were amazing. I was hoping Novak would win. I had to leave before the end.
cheers, parsnip
Thanks, parsnip!
DeleteIn terms of rooting interest, I was 1 for 2 in the finals. I'd have loved to see Azarenka pull of the upset. On the other hand, I'll always take Nadal over Djokovic.
No doubt, both Serena and Rafa are worthy champs.
The US Open is riveting viewing. Being an Aussie, I was inspired by Leyton Hewitt who played such gutsy tennis. Some have said that Federer needs to take a leaf out of Leyton's book and to play for love of the game, not to strive to be No 1 when it may well be impossible against the younger players. Great game. Those Williams girls rock!
ReplyDeleteFederer is 32. By that age, Sampras was done. I think the day Fed stops caring about being #1 is the day he walks away. Regardless, he's certainly earned the right to go out on his own terms.
DeleteRafa didn't know if he would be able to play competitevly due to his knee injury but after a lot of hard work and dedication he has now proved that is one of the best tennis players ever. He has also grown as a person and a gentleman.
ReplyDeleteI love Rafa. In his matches with Fed, I nearly always go with Roger but they are both such wonderfully likeable players. His absurd dominance on clay assures his legacy. That he has accomplished more beyond that places him quite comfortably among the all-time greats.
DeleteP.S. Serena is the best since Martina Navratilova in my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteSerena is, without a doubt in my mind, the world's greatest female athlete and has been for quite a while. Best since Martina? I think Steffi Graf has a case to make but especially with Serena's doubles resume, your asserition gets stronger all the time.
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