TENNIS – The new face of women’s tennis may have just arrived. Garbine Muguruza may have lost her game in a 10-game stretch in the middle of Saturday’s Wimbledon final, but that wasn’t surprising since she was playing probably the greatest women’s player ever to play the game. by James Beck
SERENA WAS AT HER BEST AND WORST
Serena Williams was simply superb in those 10 games, nine of which she won as Muguruza appeared to have fallen into a deep trance. In seven of the other 10 games — to start and end the match — an imposter crept into Serena. She was very “un-Serena-like.” But that, too, wasn’t surprising for a player who is nearing 34 years old and was on the verge of winning a fourth straight Grand Slam title.
A NAME TO LEARN TO PRONOUNCE
At the same time in those 10 start-and-finish games, Wimbledon may have seen the next face of the game, a name we all likely will have to learn to pronounce (Gar-BEE-nyuh moo-goo-ROO-za) The 21-year-old Spaniard went toe-to-toe with Serena while winning seven of those 10 start-finish games. True, Serena gave away a few of those games, doublefaulting and flying balls over the baseline, but there was no mistaking the talent of the long-legged Muguruza.
SERENA CAME THROUGH WHEN IT COUNTED
Overall, as she usually does, Serena came through when it counted most. That’s why she was able to parade around the famed Centre Court smiling and giggling like a kid after a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Muguruza.
Perhaps in her stance that seemed to cover half of the alley and the outside half of the service box, Muguruza gave Serena too much room around the centerline to hone in her service bombs. But then if Mugurza had planted her wide stance closer to the centerline, Serena’s serves probably would have found the other corner of the service box.
A CHAMPION ON AND OFF THE COURT
Many viewers likely had never seen Serena more focused with her animated (someone even used the word vicious) responses to winning key points. And yet happier and down to earth at other times.
Serena won a few more fans over on Saturday morning. She was a true champion on and off the court. There were hugs and kisses it seemed for everyone she knew.
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James Beck is the long-time tennis columnist for the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier newspaper. He can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com
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