That volley miss saved his tournament
Look, I've watched enough tennis to know when someone gets lucky. Carlos Alcaraz will tell you he fought for every point against Jan-Lennard Struff yesterday, and he's not wrong – but that missed volley in the fourth set? Pure gift.
The defending champion scraped through 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Centre Court, extending his Wimbledon winning streak to 17 matches. But God, it was messy at times.
That second set disappearance had me wondering if we were about to witness something properly embarrassing. Struff, all 6'4" of him, was dictating play like he owned the place. Then Alcaraz remembered he's supposed to be good at this tennis thing.
£3 million worth of grass (the legal kind)
Here's what I love about the 22-year-old Spaniard – he's chasing a third straight Wimbledon title and potentially £3 million in prize money, but he's genuinely more excited talking about his golf rivalry with Andy Murray.
Pre-tournament, these two had a couple of nine-hole matches on Surrey courses. Current score: 1-1. Alcaraz wants the decider, and honestly, I'm here for it.
"He beat me that day. He beat me in golf that day," Alcaraz told Annabel Croft courtside, grinning like a kid who just got caught stealing cookies. "But then a few days later, I beat him. So, it's 1-1. We are tied."
When stress feels like survival
The thing about watching Alcaraz yesterday – you could see the panic creeping in during his service games. Love-30 down, break points against him, the works.
"It was stressful as well. To be honest, I was suffering in every serve game that I did today," he admitted afterward. No kidding.
Then came that moment in the fourth set. Struff had a routine volley at the net – the kind you practice in your sleep. Somehow, he missed it.
"I still don't know how he missed that volley," Alcaraz said, and neither do I. Neither does anyone who was watching.
What's next (besides golf)?
Andrey Rublev awaits in the last 16 on Sunday. The Russian's been solid this fortnight, and he won't gift Alcaraz anything like Struff did with that volley.
Cameron Norrie could be lurking in the quarters if both advance. All roads potentially lead to another epic final against Jannik Sinner – remember that five-and-a-half-hour French Open thriller last month?
But first, Alcaraz has other priorities: "I will try to set up a golf round again, nine holes, and we will see who wins. We are tied at 1-1. We have to play again, absolutely."
Meanwhile, elsewhere in SW19...
Taylor Fritz spent nearly ten hours on court across three matches – that's basically a full workday of tennis. The American finally beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4 6-3 6-7 6-1 after four separate delays for medical emergencies.
Poor guy looked like he'd been through a blender by the end.
Naomi Osaka's tournament ended with an apology ahead of her daughter's second birthday. Lost to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 3-6 6-4 6-4 and was brutally honest afterward: "I'm just going to be a negative human being today. I'm so sorry. I have nothing positive to say about myself."
That hit different. Sometimes the honesty hurts more than the loss.
But back to Alcaraz – he's through to week two, the title defense continues, and somewhere in Surrey, there's a golf course waiting for round three of his rivalry with Murray.
Honestly? I might be more invested in that golf match than his next tennis one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the uniqueness of tennis' scoring system?
The tennis scoring system is distinctive and helps to define the sport. Games and sets are separated in tennis matches. A player must win 6 games by at least a two-point margin to earn a "set". Within games, players score from zero to fifteen and thirty before they win the game. When players reach deuce, (tied at 40), they need to win by 2 consecutive points. This system creates a thrilling element of unpredictability and tension, often leading to dramatic shifts in momentum.
What are four Grand Slam tennis tournaments?
The four Grand Slams tournaments are also called the Majors and they are the most prestigious tennis events. The Australian Open is held in January. The French Open takes place in May and in June. Wimbledon takes place in July and in June. And the US Open occurs in August. These tournaments offer a high level of competitiveness, a long history, as well as significant rankings points and prize funds. Grand Slams have long been regarded as the pinnacle of tennis.
How have women's contributions shaped tennis?
Tennis has been significantly shaped by the women's performances, as well as their off-court activism for equality and recognition. Billie Jean King's campaign to equalize prize money and opportunities for women led to the formation of the Women's Tennis Association in 1973. Icons such as Steffi Graf, Venus and Serena Williams, and Martina Navratilova dramatically raised the sport's profile with their talent and competitive spirit. Women's Wimbledon is a popular sport, and often attracts the same amount of viewers as men's, showing its inclusivity.
How does the surface of the court affect tennis?
Tennis matches can vary greatly in style and pace depending on the playing surface. Grass court games are usually faster, favoring players who have an attacking style and big servers. Clay courts have a slower ball speed and a higher bounce. They are better for players with tenacity and topspin. Hard courts create a neutral playing surface which rewards well-rounded players. These surface variations require different approaches to match strategy and can influence match outcomes.
What is the significance grass courts in Wimbledon?
The grass courts at Wimbledon hold a special place in the tennis world as it is the only Grand Slam still played on this traditional surface. The low-bouncing, fast game of grass tests players' skills in unique ways. Wimbledon began in 1877, but is now known by its official name, The Championships of Wimbledon. It has a long history and a strict dress code. Wimbledon is often considered to be the pinnacle in a tennis player’s career.
Statistics
- Graphite became a popular material for tennis racquets in the 1980s, with over 90% of professional players now using graphite or graphite composite racquets.
- The International Tennis Federation (ITF) governs over 200 nations, indicating the sport's vast international governance structure and participation rate.
- The global tennis equipment market reached an estimated value of over 1 billion dollars, reflecting the sport's widespread popularity.
- Since the Open Era began in 1968, allowing professional players to compete in the Grand Slams, the United States has produced the most Grand Slam singles titles across men's and women's competition.
- Lawn tennis, which evolved into the game we know today, adapted its point system from the jeu de paume, with theories suggesting its increments represent the face of a clock.
External Links
How To
How to Plan a Tennis Tournament at Your Local Club
Planning and executing a local tennis event requires meticulous planning. Start by deciding the format, date, and eligibility criteria. Secure the venue and ensure all courts meet playability standards. Create a registration system, match schedules and rankings based on players' levels. Staffing is needed for operations and officiating. Promote the event through social media and local tennis communities to attract participants and spectators, providing a thrilling and competitive atmosphere.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/tennis/emmas-heartbreak-when-going-down-fighting-actually-means-something
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