Bill Simons
WIMBLEDON
IS THIS REALLY LONDON? It’s really hot out there (okay, it’s 84°) and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. OMG! Not a single match has been canceled.
WIMBLEDON IN FIVE WORDS OR LESS: When we asked a fan from Manchester, England, Barbara Somers, to describe Wimbledon, she replied, “It’s a work of art.”
THE RAMBLIN’ WRECK FROM GEORGIA TECH WREAKS HAVOC: Chris Eubanks was beloved at Georgia Tech. For years, he’s been a popular figure in ATP locker rooms, and Tennis Channel viewers quickly appreciated his broadcasting insights.
But the 27-year-old perpetually seemed to hover in the middle ether of the rankings. He just didn’t break through. In six years, the 6’ 7” Eubanks hadn’t won a Wimbledon match, and had never gotten beyond the second round in a Slam.
Now lightning has struck. Chris is on fire. Just six days ago, Eubanks captured the Mallorca championship. Sweet and yes, the texts from Kim Clijsters, of all people, were a huge help. Now Chris has swept his way to Wimbledon’s third round and used his mighty weapons and athleticism on Court 1 to score a shock upset over the No. 13 seed, Britain’s top player Cam Norrie, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(3). Radio Wimbledon was impressed: “Eubanks is going to be a juggernaut. The way he played the fourth set tiebreak was out of this world – just scintillating!”
The appealing Eubanks, who not only silenced the British crowd, he got them on his side, said the win was the biggest of his career. He recalled his long struggle and told Inside Tennis, “There were definitely some low moments – that’s part of the reason I got into commentary. I had a real sit-down with my agent in 2021 and said, ‘Listen, if I’m still 200 next year…I can do something else…It’s not that glamorous if you’re ranked 200.”
What is glamorous for Eubanks is reaching the third round of Wimbledon. Chris will face another Chris – that is, Aussie Chris O’Donnell.
WHEN FRANCES SMILES: Frances Tiafoe, America’s most charismatic tennis player was asked to explain his magic. He replied, “As soon as I get to the coin toss, everyone is just so excited…As I start getting amped up and get on a run, the crowd is really behind me. It’s pretty one-sided.
“As soon as I smile, the crowd erupts. It’s crazy, but it’s cool. I guess it’s a blessing, and hopefully they like me for the next 10-plus years.”
ANDY MURRAY– THE MAN WHO’S GOT COMPETITIVE METTLE, TWO GOLD MEDALS AND ONE METAL HIP BUT COULDN’T PUT HIS PEDAL TO THE METAL: For decades he’s been the pride of British tennis. At the All England Club, he’s won two Wimbledons and an Olympic gold. Plus, he’s thoughtful, funny, brave and empathetic.
No wonder that today the sun came out, the clouds took a hike and the 15,000 rabid British fans who packed Centre Court chanted “Come on, Aun-dee!”
Last night, he survived a nasty third-set fall against No. 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas but shook it off, blasted an ace and went up two sets to one. But today, he couldn’t put his pedal to the metal. At 3-3 in the fourth-set tiebreak, the Greek prevailed in an epic rally, and quickly evened a compelling battle at two sets each. An American writer quipped, “With Andy Murray, there is no Centre Court action without drama.”
Tsitsipas, who’d beaten Dominic Thiem in the first round and was playing his second straight two-day, five-set match, raised his level. His big-man quickness impressed. His backhand slices were nasty. His forehands were deep. His lob scored a critical winner and he took advantage of a Murray double fault and a wretched forehand error to break early in the fifth set. That’s all the poised 24-year-old needed, as he scored a 4:40 7-6(3), 6-7(2), 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 victory and silenced the pro-British arena.
While Stefanos goes on, and next faces Serbia’s Laslo Djere, Murray confided, “I’m obviously very disappointed just now. You never know how many opportunities you’re going to get to play here…[But] I don’t plan to stop right now.”
MURRAY’S REFUGE: Wimbledon is famous for its iconic sites. For instance, Centre Court, the Tea Room, St. Mary’s Walk and the Member’s Enclosure. But Andy Murray’s favorite Wimbledon place is the Games Room, where they have darts, table tennis and snooker. And, yes, he’s played in Wimbledon’s Snooker Championship.
LOOK MA, IT’S 80,000 POUNDS: England’s Liam Broady, who’s No. 148 and has been struggling for years, was asked about his family. The 29-year-old said “My mum doesn’t like watching. I said to her yesterday, ‘Look I’ve already won 80,000 pounds – you can chill out.’”
QUOTEBOOK:
“Stop making yourself so important.” – Alexander Zverev to a linesperson.
“I’m not going to be a robot. This is not who I am. I’m just going to have fun!” – Frances Tiafoe
“In tennis you’re so exposed, and I just needed to hide a little bit.” – Slovenian Kaja Juvan, who lost in the second round.
STILL IN THE TOP TEN: Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat Botic van de Zandschulp. Plus, he has far more letters in his name than the Dutchman – 25 compared to just 20. But when it comes to tennis names that are difficult to pronounce, Botic remains in the top ten.
HEY MATTEO, I KNOW A GREAT TENNIS ATTORNEY: After slipping badly in his match against Lorenzo Sonego, Italian Matteo Berrettini barked at the ump, “If I get injured, I’m going to sue you!”
NO DISTRACTIONS: Madison Keys, who won the Eastbourne warm-up, is hoping to make a deep run at Wimbledon. It’s the one Slam where she hasn’t reached the semis. Some worrywarts wondered if her upcoming wedding to the ATP No. 592 player Bjorn Fratangelo might be a distraction. But Keys assured us that she has a wedding planner and the big day is a long way off.
EYE TEST: In Madrid this Spring it seemed that 16-year-old Mirra Andeeva was starstruck by Andy Murray. She said the 36-year-old Scot was beautiful. Murray (who Frances Tiafoe said has the third best sense of humor in tennis) replied, “Imagine how good she’s going to be when she gets her eyes fixed.”
WHAT A TREAT: Today, from Stefanos Tsitsipas and Stan Wawrinka, we saw two sublime one-handed backhands on Centre Court.
FLORIDA SLAYER: Elina Svitolana downed her second Floridian. She beat Venus Williams in the first round and today ended Sofia Kenin’s run, 7-6 (3), 6-2…Tsitsidosa, that would be the glamorous mixed doubles team of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa, won’t be making their eagerly awaited debut in mixed doubles. Badosa has a stress fracture.
AN AMERICAN TRIUMPH: Jessica Pegula became the first American player to reach the third round in eight straight Grand Slam events since Serena.
HEY WIMBLEDON, CAN’T YOU DO BETTER THAN THIS? Andy and Jamie Murray were scheduled to play at virtually the same time. One commentator wondered whether their mom Judy would have to split herself in two. But perhaps the foremost tennis mother since Oracene Price just relied on her simple protocol of watching the first of her two sons who goes on court.
