There is no stopping Serena- Champion of Wimbledon 2016
Williams celebrates another major title at Wimbledon
Ranked No.1 in Women’s tennis, Serena Williams secured her seventh Wimbledon title on July 9th. This was somewhat expected by the crowd, and Serena delivered, maintaining her profile as the greatest open era Women’s player and whilst doing it not seeming to athletically age. In the last five and a half years, Williams has won 10 Slams.
The match between Williams and Angelique Kerber was very entertaining, the score 7-5 and 6-3; this match can be interpreted as a rematch of the Australian Open final earlier in the year where Kerber won, meaning that they both possessed a competitive edge in this final. This was also the first time two women contested two major finals against one another in a single season since 2006.
Williams possesses a certain power throughout a match, and her opponents try to play to her few weaknesses. Kerber had experienced this template of play in the Australian Open in January. She seemed to utilise this on the opening point of the match (off Serena’s serve) and had the powerhouse moving from the edges of the court, hitting short angled forehands and using tricky techniques. Soon (after 40 minutes) they were both at equilibrium at 5-5. There was soon a quick turn of tables, where Serena’s backhand burnt through the court performed with precise executions.
Federer, a finalist at Wimbledon 2016, has been heavily compared to Serena with many comments made. Despite they are both 34 years of age, Federer is beginning to lose his ‘golden glow’ (BBC News) whilst Serena remains the Gold Standard. Starting out, a good sports-man/woman requires youth and unbeatable athleticism. A great sports-man/woman must maintain this throughout their career. Because of this harsh reality, many brilliant tennis players like Nadal and Federer have declined with an aging body, and left this progressing sport to the youth. Having said that this is true of many sports apart from maybe Golf where the average career is far longer than most. We may see the retirement of Serena next year in order to allow herself to keep her ‘Number 1’ status in the history books.
Do you have a sports-day coming up at your school soon? How will you contribute to the sports community?
Aerisha, Year 9
Boston High School Newsroom