10 to Zen: Wimbledon 2015 Musings

5. Is Garbine Muguruza the next big star in Women’s tennis?

Garbine Muguruza showed a lot of character in her first ever Wimbledon Final.

No fear.

These are the words that Garbine Mugurza said in the post-match conference. This young Spaniard started her Final against Serena Williams in the most impressive way possible. From the word go she dialed in to bring out her A-game against the best player in the world. After breaking Serena in the opening game and quickly taking a 4-2 lead, she could not ride that advantage.

Serena quickly found another gear to win the next four games in a row to bag the First Set. Towards the end of the match Muguruza did not surrender meekly. Despite being 4-1 down in the Second Set she fought valiantly till the end but her gumption fell short. Williams won 6-4, 6-4 but Muguruza showed all signs of being a future Grand Slam Champion.

Last year, Eugenie Bouchard and Simona Halep showed similar glimpses. But this year, both have been struggling with their form. Sloane Stephens and Timea Bacsinzky have shown flashes of brilliance but fade away while taking on the mighty Williams.

What sets Muguruza apart from these players are her physicality, mental tenacity and character. She is probably one among a handful of players who can give Serena Williams a run for her money. If she can be consistent in her performances, she is definitely the one to watch out for.

4. Who will win the US Open 2015?

Marin Cilic won his first Grand Slam at the US Open 2014

There is more history to be made in the US Open 2015.

With Williams having achieved her Serena Slam 2.0, the whole world looks forward to her achieving the Calendar Grand Slam and a 22nd Major. If she manages to do this, she would equal Steffi Graf’s record and stand just two places behind Margaret Court who has won 24 Grand Slams.

Roger Federer was closer than ever to winning the much awaited 18th Grand Slam at Wimbledon. But with the unstoppable Djokovic at the other end he had to settle for the Runner-up salver. Having reached the Semi Final of the US Open last year, all eyes will be on the Swiss Maestro to see if he can conjure one last trick to go that last mile and win the title.

Last year, the Flushing Meadows saw two first time finalists and a new Champion Marin Cilic. With the US Open being the last Slam of the year, most top seeds are quite spent owing to the grind of a long season. This gives hope to other players outside the top 5 a chance to win the title.

If Djokovic wins the US Open, he will join an elite Club of Champions who have a double digit Grand Slam haul.

3. Can anyone stop Serena Williams?

Serena Williams with her 21st Grand Slam title and counting...

Serena Williams is defying all odds at the ripe age of 33 to chase history and make ‘her’story.

At an age where Roger Federer is eyeing that one last Grand Slam that is left in him, this incredible woman is seeking a 22nd Grand Slam and more. Currently perched at the top of the Women’s Rankings, Serena Williams has more than double the number of points of her rival, Maria Sharapova, at No.2.

She reached a new milestone yesterday – a 40th win for the season!

Williams defeated the No.215 ranked Belgian player, Ysaline Bonaventure in straight sets at the Collector Swedish Open, Bastad. This is the second-fastest Williams has reached her 40th win, since achieving the same feat in the 4th Round of the French Open in 2013.

With her Coach Patrick Moratouglou by her side, from whom she draws inspiration and strength, Serena Williams has been planning her schedule very smartly and has been focusing heavily on the Grand Slams. In their 3 year partnership, Moratouglou has helped Serena win 6 Grand Slams which is 5 more Slams than Roger Federer after turning 30.

In summary, she is invincible for now.

2. Will Roger Federer win an 18th Grand Slam?

So close but yet so far : Roger Federer with his silver salver at Wimbledon 2015

Last year when Federer lost a closely contested Wimbledon Final against Novak Djokovic, a pall of gloom hung over the hallowed Center Court. Pundits averred that it was a golden opportunity for Federer to win his 8th Wimbledon and the 18th Grand Slam to seal the ‘Greatest Of All Time’ debate.

But the Swiss Maestro proved them all wrong by playing a phenomenal season in 2014 with the highlight being his maiden Davis Cup title. 2015 was no less grand as he gave himself another opportunity to turn 18 at his favorite Slam. But it was not to be.

After drubbing Andy Murray in regal style in the Semi Final, Federer could not withstand the Serbian onslaught in the Wimbledon Final. He tried very hard by clinching the second set after saving seven set points. In the third and the fourth sets, he withered away showing that time spares no one.

The question will linger on, but he still has the hunger and motivation to get that monkey off his back.

1.Will Djokovic go past Nadal, Sampras and eventually Federer?

Novak Djokovic : The Winner takes it all

Novak Djokovic is by far the fittest athlete in the world of sport. His fitness regime is mind boggling. Even for an exhibition match he follows the same pre-match and post- match routines that he would follow for an actual match in an ATP event or Grand Slam.

Eli Saslow in his article “Freak of Nurture” writes how this Serb, who once upon a time would huff and puff half way through his matches, has transformed into an ironman, a machine that rarely ever breaks down. With Federer and Nadal in the last lap of their careers and no other Rising Star fulfilling their potential, Novak Djokovic has a good chance of adding many more Slams to his name.

However, it would be interesting to see whether he would stand the test of time.

Probably he could take a tip or two from the legendary Serena Williams.