Ten of the biggest stories from Wimbledon 2019
Wimbledon 2019 is over, the 132nd to be precise. This tournament has been great entertainment. As always there have been big stories pouring out of SW19, from big upsets, to rising stars and returning greats. Here we look at ten of the biggest stories to arise from this year’s Championships.
The arrival of Coco Gauff
History was certainly made during the first week of Wimbledon 2019. Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff wowed the crowds as she became not only the youngest player to qualify for the tournament, but the youngest player to win a main draw match. And she didn’t stop there. The 15 year old teenage sensation won three matches, to make it to round four of The Championships.
From Florida, Gauff won many hearts over as she beat her idol Venus Williams 6-4 6-4 in the first round. Williams had won her first six Grand Slams before the youngster was born. Successive wins against Magdalena Rybarikova and Polona Hercog saw Gauff progress with her dream week, before a 6-3 6-3 loss to eventual champion Simona Halep.
The return of Andy Murray
In January this year Andy Murray saw in an Australian press conference in tears. He believed he might be close to retirement after being in severe pain from his prolonged hip injury. Now after surgery, the 32 year old Scot has a new hip.
Playing doubles at this year’s tournament has provided big smiles from Murray, a stark contrast to the beginning of the year. He played men’s doubles with Frenchman Pierre Hugues Herbert, making the second round. He then pleased the crowds announcing he would pair with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles. The pair made the third round, with the two time singles champion looking almost back to full fitness.
Djokovic vs Federer- The best Wimbledon final ever?
Novak Djokovic made history in his final win against eight time champion Federer. They were the first two players ever to have to play a 12-12 tiebreaker at Wimbledon, following the rule change after 2018. The two legends of the sport battled it out for over five hours on Centre Court, providing top level entertainment for the crowd and all watching at home.
Champion Simona Halep
Before 2019 Simona Halep had only ever made one semi-final at Wimbledon. Now she sits as champion, after a sublime performance in a 6-2 6-2 win against seven time champion Serena Williams. She described the win as best win of her career, and is the first ever Romanian to win the title. Williams had held a 9-1 record over Halep before the thrashing, adding to the surprise on Centre Court.
Nick Kyrgios making the headlines (again)
Perhaps one of the least surprising stories of Wimbledon 2019, Nick Kyrgios being controversial. A podcast recording earlier this year began a spat between him and world number two Rafael Nadal. So when these two met in the second round, sparks were expected. Hitting under armed serves, aiming shots to hit Nadal’s chest, and going to the pub the night before saw many more headlines written about the charismatic Aussie.
Roberto missing his own stag do
Friday afternoon in the second week of Wimbledon. Roberto Bautista had expected to be with his friends in Ibiza, ahead of his wedding. Instead he was on Centre Court facing Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-final, with his mates all watching. Hopefully you can successfully rearrange the stag-do Roberto…
Where were the NextGen?
Many thought this could be the year we see new stars in the men’s game. After Zverev’s ATP Finals win at the end of last year, Tsitsipas’ explosive start to the year, and Dominic Thiem being runner up at the French again, who could have blamed people for thinking this? They were all out in the first round, with the ‘Big Three’ all making it to the semis, joined by a 31 year old semi final debutant.
The return of Serena Williams
After missing last year’s tournament due to the birth of daughter Alexis Olympia, Serena Williams made an impressive return to SW19. It has not been the most successful 2019 for the American, but she was fantastic over the fortnight. Not only did she battle her way to the final of the singles, she pulled off some stunning performances alongside Andy Murray in the mixed doubles. She arguably won them their second round match.
The ‘Big Three’- the same old dominance
At the ages of 32, 33 and 37 respectively, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer continue to dominate the sport’s biggest tournament. Seeded as the top three, not one of them failed to live up to expectations. They all featured in the semi finals, and with Djokovic and Federer making the final, it really beckons the question – when will these three make way for some new talent?
Glorious weather….at Wimbledon?
Before the tournament begun, there was a lot of talk regarding the new roof on Court One. But this year the weather has been perfect, in fact so perfect that the roofs have not had to be used due to rain at all. Britain’s Dan Evans did become the first (and currently only) man to win under the roof on Court One, but the decision to put the roof on came due to bad light.
Whatever your favourite part of Wimbledon was this year, there is no denying that once again it provided so much more than just tennis. Whether expected or unexpected, so many stories were once again provided. Who knows what next year will bring?
Look ahead to the rest of 2019 with our guides to every tournament on the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour. If you can’t visit the tournaments you love then do the next best thing and read our guide on how to watch all the ATP Tour matches on television in 2019. To read more amazing articles like this you can explore Tennishead magazine here or you can subscribe for free to our email newsletter her