With the ban on Russian and Belarusian players and the removal of the ranking points, Wimbledon 2022 was a lot different from what we’re used, but Novak Djokovic managed to hold down the fort.
For the fourth straight year and the seventh time in his career, Nole was unbeatable on the English grass. It was an interesting final: no one knew what to expect from him or his fellow finalist Nick Kyrgios seeing as their personalities are so very different.
Still, Djokovic and Kyrgios aren’t exactly the most mild-mannered players out there.
Prone to hostility, Kyrgios kept things under relative control and played over three hours of high-level tennis.
After dropping the first set, Djokovic fought his way to 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (3) and ended the lengthy exercise in patience he undertook exactly a year ago.
Last September, with the calendar Slam on his racquet, he let the US Open title slip to Daniil Medvedev. Novak then had to skip Melbourne after refusing to be vaccinated and getting booted out of Australia.
With his 21st major, he reset the counter to zero and is now one away from Rafa.
With all the interest in the record, it’s ultimately a huge win for tennis.
TENNIS GETS POLITICAL
Got a soft spot for Ons Jabeur, who made such a strong impression in Montréal last summer? You’re not alone.
And by the way, as far as the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players in reaction to the invasion of Ukraine, the joke was on Wimbledon.
Newly crowned champion Elena Rybakina (3-6, 6-2, 6-1) was born in Moscow but made the switch to represent Kazakhstan in 2018.
You won’t be surprised to learn that Russia jumped on the chance to get a political edge.
“Very nice! Well done Rybakina! We win the Wimbledon tournament!” declared Shamil Tarpischev, president of the Russian Tennis Federation.
DID YOU KNOW?
* Wimbledon queen Elena Rybakina didn’t grow up playing tennis. Before she ever picked up a racquet, she had a passion for gymnastics and figure skating.
* Nick Kyrgios won the 2012 National Bank Canadian Junior Open Championships in Repentigny.
* During Wimbledon, a high-profile player asked about the WTA 250 tournament in Granby in late August.
A NATURAL!
Among the Canadian tennis results that flew under the radar is Jaden Weekes’ semifinal appearance at the junior event in Nottingham, where the Montrealer played his first ever grass-court tournament.
“A natural!” said his coach Martin Laurendeau when asked about the experience.
Currently No.22 in the junior rankings, Jaden will compete in the Granby National Bank Championships and the National Bank Canadian Junior Open Championships in Repentigny in late August and early September.
HEARD AROUND THE COURTS
“I’ve lost words for what this tournament and what this trophy mean to me.”
Novak Djokovic
STAY TUNED THIS WEEK
After three and a half months in Europe, tennis makes its way back to North America for the summer with tournaments including Canada’s very own National Bank Open.
Eugène Lapierre and the Tennis Canada team in Montréal aren’t wasting any time. They’re hosting a press conference this week to share all the details.
