Primero...

seriously Peter?
I just laugh everytime someone claims that the Williams sisters are "done" or out of the game. They've had much worse losses before, and have come back from much deeper holes. Serena has been out for a year until a couple weeks ago, and you think her losing to a strong Bartoli is evidence of the end of an era? One of these ladies will dominate again. I just don't know how many times it will take tennis observers to be proven wrong by the sisters for people to stop making such silly claims.

http://myballsmyballs.blogspot.com/2011/06/wimbledon-update-maria-sharapova-is.html

I think they are not done yet but they will have harder time now on winning matches. They can still play good tennis. Besides, they just came back from long lay-offs. I am not a fan of the Williams sister. But I know for a fact that great players like them can always dish out great games even after injuries. They have the experience, game and the appetite to win more. Let's see in the next tournaments.

vibs, You should have alot of people pulling for you tomorrow...
I got the SW people pretty riled up... Suerte...

Great post, Pete. It'll be interesting to see how Venus & Serena fare during the US Open Series and the US Open, as Mattek-Sands said. If they bow out quietly at Flushing after a couple of months spent burning off rust, then it might really be the end of an era.

Only time will tell, of course. But this could be it. The intimidation factor is gone. And the movement of both sisters seems increasingly inconsistent and dependent on the opponent. Serena started to run when she realized she was getting her big booty kicked mercilessly yesterday, but I don't think she'll ever get back into the kind of shape it takes to win a major, even best 2 of 3 sets. Vanity isn't the same thing as having something to prove as a kid from nowhere.

Venus's last Wimby win seemed flukey to me and she's done nothing since to dispel that notion. Serena on the other hand is just rusty. She may not be able to blast her way through everything now but she'll find her way back into winning Slams. She LOVES being the center of attention too much not to.

I don't get this. We should be saluting the indomitable will of these two women who came back after almost a year (in Serena's case at least) off.

Serena had played just TWO matches before heading into Wimbledon. Venus - three. And everyone is writing them off?

They made the quarter finals for goodness sake. I could understand all the hand wringing if they had been on tour for the past year and was healthy.

Get a grip please.

Eliz the gripper -- the 4th round is not the Qfinals

I love this post, Pete, but it made me sad. Please write a happier one when Venus wins the US Open.

I love the dialogue with Martin and Henman at the end. That tiger tim always did have an acidic wit.

When you think about little tenis they have played this year they were pretty great. But you can't just parachute into a major and expect to win. As for this parade of endless young players with names I cannot pronounce I do not see anyone who would have the dazzling career of these two fabulous young women. And women's tennis is badly in need of marquee names and consistency in wins.

Williams-Federer Classic Order of Play

Centre at 8 AM : Tsonga vs The Host followed by Murray vs Lopez
Court 1 at 8 AM : Tomic vs Djokovic followed by Nadal vs Fish

Why lump them together? Venus is probably well in the twilight of her career and outside of Wimbledon hasn't done anything for years. Since I'm not American I won't miss her ear splitting screams or her awful vulgar outfits.

Serena is a different kettle of fish. Once she gets over her very unlucky injuries and gets match tough she's good enough and young enough to be back with a vengeance.

Serena has been finished for awhile. Venus had a comeback shot but seems to want to
relax for a few good years. They've got the money but the flesh has become dilapidated.

And there we go again,someone else has been coming back from injury since 2009 without winning the big one,yet as soon as Serena and venus step into the court the question pops,could you guys be any relevant to tennis anymore
I think from now on I'll look at it as the glass half full meaning may be and only may be because people really hold them at a higher standard than anyone else in the WTA tour
I'll be the first one here to acknowledge that I'm not sold into Venus any more as much as I would love her to prove me wrong but seriously Serena?, Serena who hasn't played any bad match even in this last loss with Bartoli,why is it it suggests their end???just why???I wish there were more Bud Collins int his world..oh and Nick Bolletieri.

This was really weird. I was roaming around the US Open last year about the take the Number 7 home when I saw I young German player and noticed Bolleteri was sitting right in front of me. Nick is endlessly affable and will talk to anyone so I sat in back of him on an outside court. I saw her go down and realized it was serious because they carried her off. I told my husband about it and never connected her with Wimbledon until they showed the injury on Tv today. Until today I never connected the injury with Lisiki.

Hey, Pete -

Could well be the end, but I was reminded yesterday of that day at Wimbledon 2002 when Pete and Andre both went out in the SECOND round within hours of each other. (Sampras to George Bastl!) "Passing of the torch" was the buzz phrase for all the TV commentators ... then the same two dudes made it to the US Open final 8 weeks later.

Time will tell...

Aube, They could play but it looks hopeless to think they would ever be as they once were. Maybe they could win a Copenhagen but a GS would be too much work for the girls. Besides, Their hearts say "It's time to relax and enjoy alot of time off." JMO... Don't take it to heart.

Venus had trouble with Pironkova when she was winning majors. What a loss to her after basically a year layoff (she's really only played a few matches since last Wimbledon too) proves, I'm not sure. I don't know whether there is anything conclusive that can be drawn.

Serena...just not match tough enough yet. Write her off at your own risk, just don't rejoin her bandwagon in a couple months at the USO.

I have to concur with what most people have said here. Can you really look at a player who has been back just about two weeks and say it's the end? Is it fair to the player that we should expect that after a full year of being out, that you can jump out of bed and immediately perform as you used to? Did Del Potro perform as he used to after being back two weeks? Did Sharapova perform as she used to after being back for two week from shoulder surgery? Did Lisicki perform as she used to when she first game back from injury? Is two weeks enough time to assess their ability? Or do we say as we have done with other players who have been out, give them time and match play and then let's see what they can do? Do I believe that watching a player for about two weeks tell me what they will be like after they have shaken off the rust? Absolutely not! I think the thing that surprise me the most wasn't the lost but how well Serena played for someone who had been out for so long. If she can play this well after being back for only two weeks, then what can she do after two or three months? Will she get better or worse with increase match play? Two weeks isn't enough time to tell me anything.

My wonderful Pulitzer prize winning post got eaten by Typepad, but the usual nasty anti-Williams Sisters posts get published. Oy vey

Great read Pete.

"And there have been signs this year, particularly in these last two major events, that the other women in the WTA are ready to move on. Ready to really challenge Venus and Serena in a way they would not have dared—in fact, did not dare—under less favorable circumstances a few years ago."

Huh??? The last two events where in which the only Williams to play was an injured Venus at the AO? What exactly did the other WTA women have to do?

Chris Evert has been the one voice of sanity among the comms. Venus is 31 and has been inconsistant for a long time and is chronically injured. She certainly does not look like she will dominate again; perhaps 1 more slam if everything falls into place.

There is absolutely no reason to think that Serena can't come back to dominate given she was winning slams before her injury. Time will tell.

When Delp came back no one wrote him off after 2 tournaments. I don't get it.

Nor I get why people were so surprised Serena lost in her first two tournaments to the first high-ranked player she played given how long she's been out. All the bloviating about how Serena's presumed wimbledon win reflected badly on the women's tour a full week before the final was played. Now bloviating because she (predictably) lost.

How about "nice comeback, Serena, good luck the rest of the season."?

CWATC, couldn't agree more with you, you're spot on.

By the way "Maybe they could win a Copenhagen but a GS would be too much work for the girls"
This MADE my day, coming from a Wozniacki fan, i just couldn't stop laughing. Best joke ever

JK girlfriend please repost,I'm sure it'll be a delight!

If they stay healthy they'll still be a dominant force.

Look! Date Krumm made SW play to form. Serena was crying because she almost blew it in the first round on CC. Serena is finished even if her heart wants to go on. I just hope they don't end up like that arrogant MN!

Do sportswriters hear whispers of their demise if they have a bad week?

I hope not...keep churnin' Pete!

End of an era? It's too early to say but I know that the media is positioning itself for the resurgence narrative when the USO comes around. It was foolhardy for anybody to pick Venus or Serena to reach the final of Wimbledon after so many months of the tour.

Wooozzz DO YOU EVeN FOLLOW TENNIS SOMETIMES? Sometimes i wonder.
"Date Krumm made SW play to form"
Didn't you know the japanese played Vee in the second round on CC?

Wow. Even now some folks can't be bothered to keep the sisters straight. I mean, I get that we all look alike but really, people... *smh*

[/mini-rant]

Ah, I'm not sure why Caro's name was brought into a post discussion about whether we can write the Williamses off after two weeks of play????

"And there have been signs this year, particularly in these last two major events, that the other women in the WTA are ready to move on. Ready to really challenge Venus and Serena in a way they would not have dared—in fact, did not dare—under less favorable circumstances a few years ago."

"Huh??? The last two events where in which the only Williams to play was an injured Venus at the AO? What exactly did the other WTA women have to do?"

2011 AO - Clijsters wins 4th Slam vs Ni La (two vets of the game who have sucessfully challenged Venus and Serena)

2011 FO - Li Na wins 1st Slam vs Franny (again, two vets)

This year unless Sharapova(an old young-un)schools the new young-un's, we'll finally have a Slam winner from one of the new kids on the block.

@ CWATC: How about "nice comeback, Serena, good luck the rest of the season."?

+ 1000

Serena plays just two tournaments after being away for a year, fails to win either of them and then she is finished? Right Bodo, right, who are you fooling there
i guess for you the williamses aren't human, i've seen this script so many times, in 2004, in 2006 and early 2008 when you always wrote that they were done winning big.

There are a few names to look for going forward. Obviously Lisicki plus
Date Krumm, Pironkova and Dolke. There's a few more but I can't remember all.

A bad week? Try a bad year.

Very evocative, Pete. Enjoyed it a lot.

All things considered, Serena did a heck of a job and did herself and her fans proud to get right back in the mix of things. She did make it to the 2nd week so I don't think her iminent demise is because she lost in the 4th round to Bartoli.

Now Vee...

My all-time favorite player.
The reason I started frenetically searching and reading tennis blogs in the first place.
sigh...
this kinda hurts. couldn't watch the match, score-boarded because...
I'm sorry but after an extended injury layoff from tennis even on grass I've kinda lost.faith.

But you were one of the last 16 women standing so hey, you still rock!

(I feel so ashamed now)

The Williams sisters aren't your usual tour veterans in decline. They have always been a notch above the rest of the players, with age, the difference is leveling, but not so much as to make them not candidates for Slam winners. Their movement is still good, and games powerful enough to hit through anyone on a good day. Especially their serves are going to "serve" them well. If anything they are declining to the same level with everyone else lol.

Their main problem has is now and has always been injuries and from that lack of form.

I see both challenging for Slams for a few years into the future as long as they have motivation and are injury free. Especially Serena naturally.

like Johney Mac alluded to.......they can't expect to just show up at the majors...not really do the work....and come out on top............

Hey guys, i've found a very interesting game about matching a shriek to the tennis player. It's just awesome, you hear the shriek and then you choose the player who does it
http://www.slate.com/id/2297832/

Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm a bit surprised by some of the comments.

It's true that Venus isn't Serena, and Serena isn't Venus; they certainly lost differently here. (Serena lost the right way, Venus not so much.) It's true they're both big champions who played remarkably well here considering when they returned. (Two weeks ago!) It's true they haven't retired, they're not down and out, the end isn't here.

But I read this as a writer expressing some sadness for and wondering aloud about an era -- a great one -- that is, because of the sisters' age more than anything, closer to its end than to its beginning.

"they are declining to the same level with everyone else lol."

now when I read a truthful statement I concur,no matter how bad they play they still neck to neck with the WTA's best

I mean,where were these following players on the round of 16:
KUZNETSOVA, ZVANOREVA, STOSUR?
they play a regular year,some brilliant at time,still nowhere to be seen on Monday,huh?

"not really do the work." Now how often to you hear that about somebody who has just come off a life threatening injury?

Btw I *never* cry but most likely will shed a genuine tear when 1 or both Williams retire. Wow that would be an intense moment for various reasons lol

Hopefully they'll go out in a bang!

I feel neither has lived to their potential yet lol!

Aube, unfortunately I did not save the post before posting it. Annoyed me to no end as right after I posted it I said to myself that I should have saved it elsewhere. Oh well. The thoughts will undoubtedly come back to me.

@sblily, nope, they cannot even take the trouble to get the Sisters right. Yeah, we do look alike, but dang...

The gist of my previous post is that while there are some who may relish the demise of the WS, they are not really looking at the big picture in terms of what this would mean to a sport that depends on having Americans in the top echleon of the sport in order to commandeer sponsors, especially for the television audience. As it is, people are complaining about the poor quality of the televised matches, can you imagine when there are no more Americans? Television coverage of tennis will be non-existent. We have already seen how this impacts the American hard court series, and the empty stands during the much advertised USO Series are a constant reminder about the decline of the sport.

I understand that the WS may not be everyone's cup of tea, but to ask the question as to whether this is the end of an era because neither woman will be in the final of Wimbledon for the first time in 3 years is a bit much.

I liked Tim Henman's comment best. America really had no idea how good they had it. At every Major, when one of the WS was out all you heard was there are no more Americans left in the draw, which would usually be followed with, except for the Bryans. What will happen when there are no top Americans in the draw or the ones who are there get eliminated early? What happens then? Does American television audiences really believe that if there are no Americans on the show courts that they will be getting lots of televised tennis, especially on the women's side.

These 2 women and especially Venus brought me to this sport. I will be sad to see them go, when they do decide to go. My only hope is that the media and tennis writers do not in one accord send them out to pasture prematurely because the sport will be much the poorer with them gone.

I get your point Bobby C. but what i get Bodo is saying is that they won't win anything big anymore because they lost early. From my point that had nothing to do with their age.
i don't get why he thought in the first place they will dominate or not. Venus' body is consistently breaking down and Serena won't probably never become N°1 anyway, not that she cares about that. That doesn't mean they can't win few grand slams here and there
I'm sorry Pete but i don't see how the tour has evolved. It's amazingly open, everybody kicks everybody's ass lol

I hope by the time they retire I fall into another big babe tennis player like I did into them and I mean as much as I would feel connected,ah the mad feeling of fandom,hahaha!

Aube I'm on the lookout too! When they retire I will be a fan on the market! Quality fan who will take me?

SamE, you are so right. There were so many women who have been playing well all year. Some of them injury free and yet they were nowhere to be found come Manic Monday. I say give the Sisters some time to catch their collective breaths. Venus has viewed tennis as a job. She believes that despite her age and injuries she is able to go to work every day and perform at her job. I have to believe with her that she believes that she can still compete. She showed flashes of that brilliance in the matches that she played, except for the one that she lost.

Serena as per usual went down fighting against a player who played brilliant tennis. You have to think that a few more weeks, some more Big Sasha work outs and she will be ready to go.

They are not done yet. As the Jamaican DJ would say "oonu tink sey me done"

Aube I'm on the lookout too! Temes, can I suggest someone, oh, forget it! LOL

OK off to watch Chopped. Good night all

Hey Caymen.it was me not Sam E,come on now!

Yes Sam E you may,come on you know I love her now!

franchise, I appreciate your reading my comments with an open mind. I don't think he's necessarily saying those things. Or saying anything as much as he's asking. He's asking some of those questions because these women are great champions, and people wonder all sorts of things about great champions. He's asking... Is this era coming to an end? If so what does that mean? How does that make people feel? And so on. That's my interpretation anyway.

SamE, lol!

Williams will leave quite the hole to be filled for a fan. I will not tolerate any headcases and non clutch serves absolutely no way. That's like the first requirement.

I'm gonna share with my friends too... Glad to visit your blog.. Keep on sharing more best products!!!

First of all, Peter, shame on you. Given the current state of the WTA (a rather pitiful one at that) we should be thankful to have two of the game's stalwarts still willing to compete. I remember all of the "Is this the beginning of the end for Roger" articles a couple of years ago, and we all know how that went down.

@Wooozzz: " ...They could play but it looks hopeless to think they would ever be as they once were. Maybe they could win a Copenhagen but a GS would be too much work for the girls. Besides, Their hearts say "It's time to relax and enjoy alot of time off."

This was Venus' 2010: QF AO (only one other QF (08) since F in 03), 4R RG (best since QF 06), QF Wimby (fluke loss, but after two wins and a final, everyone has an off day), SF USO (only one other SF (07) since final in 02) and just to throw one more in, how about her F appearance in Miami (best result since she won in 2001!) She is actually performing at an above average rate since her dominance in the late 90's--early 00's outside of Wimbledon.

And as far as Serena, there is no discussion. One year without matches or even picking up a racquet, she comes back and loses not to a low-ranked no-namer, but a former Wimbledon finalist (who valiantly dismissed Justine in the semis)who has won 14 of her last 16 matches, including a RG semis appearance and a win on the grass in Eastbourne. And her year before the series of unfortunate events? Oh yeah, 2 grand slams and a QF on her least favorite surface. Not the record of someone whose "era" is over.

And we have to remember, Richard kept them out of the juniors so, I believe they will not burn out in the early 30's as most players do; they are still in superb physical shape and hit just as big or bigger than anyone on tour. The most shocking thing to me was that you think their heart says, "Time's up." When you are lying on your deathbed, as Serena put it, it's easy to walk away with a highly viable reason with honor. But no, she fought her way back; her heart is far, far away from saying, "It's time."

Bobby I read it that way too as a question: Is this the End of an Era? And my reply was that it was too early to tell if this is the end. I think many of the posters are replying to the question.

No doubt about it! Coach Outlet Stores Online's penetrating analysis
has trumped us all. Spectacular insights abound! I'm reeling from the sheer information overload of it all. I need a lawyer and a dramamine.

hummmmmmmmmmmm,temes you are very close to liking the one I already have an eye on,LISICKI,hopefully she'll leave up to my HYPE...but the no clutch serve is killing me hahahahahmyou'll never get another SEREBABY,you can get a STOSUR or else,not another Sere,alas...

my answer also is it's also to early to ask the question,after all we ,their fans haven't even finish taking up condolences for their losses,I'm still waiting from my consolation from Hubby,yes I get some!!!lol!

I feel it's time for a syrupy Whitney song it's just that feeling!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gpQlLsXNhQ

I forget.....at what age did Chris Evert and Martina hang it up in singles? They put together some nice results in their 30's.

Granted....it's a different...more physical game these days....but it's hard to suddenly close the curtain on these two. I'd be shocked if they both don't at least add 2-5 more GS titles to their record. Leaning towards Ree with the better opportunities.

Are we going to have the Williams sisters win 9 of the next 10 Wimbledons? Nope.....so to that end Mssr. Bodo can probably suggest the notion of the 'End of an Era' as the 2000-2009 Era was dominated by Ree and Vee at Wimbledon.

If anything, one wonders how much tennis they WANT to play. I think that's the biggest thing. Chris and Martina LIVED off the competition. The Williams' sisters have a lot going on outside of tennis. While they are rabid on the court....I don't think from year-to-year they need to expose themselves to this.

.....to clarify.....I think that combined, Ree and Vee can add an additional 2 to 5 GS titles before their careers come to a close.

I have no idea whom will be next in USA tennis. For that matter....in women's tennis. If you think about the current Top 10 or so WTA players.....they're mostly of 'advanced' age....Williams sisters....Li Na....Clijsters....Franny.....Sharapova's body is probably of a more advanced age thanks to injuries. Vera's been around a while although she's about to drop....same with Stosur...

The scant crop of Top 10 youthful ladies are Woz and Vika.....Neither of which present what one could identify as 'dominant' styles. Perhaps Sabine will maintain this level for a while. Kvitova has some staying power as well.....if she can cut down the wildness.

And let's not leave the an Olympic gold out of the discussion! Could we have a Williams double-header at the All England Club next year? That is, without doubt, what they'll be aiming to do in the next year on tour.

In case no one said it, Welcome back Serena and Venus, great job making it to the second week of Wimbledon after such a long layoff. Now get some more match play and let's see what you can do.

Sam
Do try and get some sleep. I'm worried about you. You seem to sleep less than I do these days and I'm nearly superhuman in that regard.

This is so sad. :( I hope it's not the end of the American era! But then again, the Williams will retire eventually, and there doesn't seem to be any legit successors on the women's side. But hey, at least there's still Ryan Harrison on the men's! He's got a bright future.

Regardless of the state of the WTA tour, it is a loss for the sport not to have the Williams sisters around. However, the tour is consisting of the players themselves; without the players there is no WTA. So it is fair to say that the absence of the sisters hurts the tour. The only people responsible for that absence is the Williams sisters. Am I the only one who has noticed that they have consistently been injured and frequently have withdrawn from many of the smaller tournaments yet they always seem to be able to suddenly come back for the Grand Slams?

I think this has become an issue for the fans of tennis who know about the tour outside of the Grand Slams; there are many who are starting to resent the Williams sisters suddenly trying to play, becoming the center of attention 3-4 times a year. OK, American tennis is doomed without them, but the WTA and the Grand Slams need to have players who care about the state of the game and those players are the ones who play consistently and relay the status of their injuries transparently so their fans and the fans of tennis can care about them.

The state of the game isn't a reflection of players who actually get out there and play, even if they are not really as great as the Williams. The state of the game is a reflection of the players who do not respect the needs of the tour which is to have its most charasmatic champions, the Williams, get fit and play frequently enough to make fans appreciate the game of tennis. And by having them there the other players will want to play more like the champions the Williams sister are, and the next generation of tennis starts will emerge.

Yep, "You never knew how good you had it."
for me Wimbledon always ment Pete Sampras, he was our own US 7 title winning Wimbledon Champian. Great read , liked the comment by Tim the best.

You seriously have to be kidding me. Serena was off for a year, plays two tournaments and now you are writing her off? Boo boo, Venus was off for 5 months and only played three tournaments between last years wimbledon and this one and she too is being written off. Clearly you are desperate for some readers for you to evevn claim its an end of an era. Who is there to take their spot? Most of the top players are around their age as well. Serena has three or four good years of tennis in her. And Venus has a couple as well. If they are posting the same results a year from now, then you can say that. TWO TOURNAMENTS!!! Geez. Mark my words, Serena will win two more majors. Venus will win one. Haters to the left, including you Pete.

Oh and at the 2008 French Open when Venus and Serena lost the same, they made the finals of Wimbledon a few weeks later (and won the doubles too). People were saying the exact same thing, "the Williams sisters are done" "The Ivanovic era has begun" BAHAHAHA Since then, they have won 6 majors between them and Ivanovic...well we know where she is. Ya'll better recognize! People will say anything for some attention these days. Pfft.

For heaven's sake, what the defeat of the Williams Sisters tell us is that Tennis is still a game that needs to be played the whole year. They have been out of circulation for a long long time. What did you expect? If the sisters want to be at the top of their game and win all the slams, then they have to play and play and play. They're not getting any younger, they are not getting enough practice and match play, they are not getting any more intelligent about the game and the changes happening to other players. So what do you expect? The end of an era when they have not even been around to play??? Bodo et alii are acting as if Tennis is beholden to the Sisters, making a mockery of the effort and work of other players. Geeezzz!!!

While no big fan of the Williams sisters, this post was pretty ludicrous Pete. They've been out of match play for a year basically. While Venus looks pretty fragile these days (where were the net rushes and pushing to move forward?) both the sisters simply looked hurting from a lack of match play. Simply how they played the rallies, tactically, reeked of rust. I anticipate Serena making at least the semis of the US Open.

Venus however, the potency of her game has slowly leaked away over the years.

Bodo shut up you idoit they made it to the 4th round after not playing in forever. Serena almost died and she played well. You need to be fired seriously.

The Wiliams sisters are just too good...they have a couple years to delight us with their wonderful tennis...

After all who can be out for a year and a half and make it to a grand slam final? (Justine) And who can be out for two and a half years and win a grand slam right away (Kim). So it can be done, but not by them. No big deal. Lets wait and see at the Open,where everyone else plays better on hard court than grass. Yes lets wait for Kim.

Venus and Serena will still be playing on the tour well after the next Olympics from what they have constantly. I'll take them at their word.

Although Venus said she was pain-free, something was still a little off with her movement. We'll never know why the thigh wrapping suddenly appeared after her first two matches. Pironkova won by constantly wrong footing her and hitting behind her. Venus couldn't seem to change direction without coming to a complete stop. Seems she needs a little more time. A reporter wrote a short piece on seeing Venus wondering around the village and said she was walking very slowly and gingerly. Yup, not fretting here Vee will be back.

Serena on the other hand just needs match play, she almost pulled off the second set TB. Errors lost here the first set, but she cleaned them up during the second. The lady has had a total of 3 or 4 surgeries in the last year, came in and lost in the 4th round of Wimbledon....mighty good job if you ask me.

Premature, Pete, but I suppose you're foreshadowing trying to get in front of the narrative. Think you could have picked a better subject. Timing is everything. They could have easily gone out in the 1st round given their time off due to injury.

"Don't you feel any sympathy for us ?" I asked Henman.

"Not really," he replied. "You never knew how good you had it."

Good one, Tim ... that just about sums up our country right now. Wake up America!

Serena and Venus will win more majors!

It's time for our TWibe Wimbledon Racket Bracket Challenge update now that the Women's SF spots have been booked.

First, congrats to our 2-day Leader:

:::::::karin1492! Well done! You are tied with 3 others in 19th Place i the Main WTA Pool. Great result!

TWibers with a chance to win the WTA Pool:

:::karin1492 – Sabine & Petra in SFs, either wins the Championship
::: Woooozzzz – Sabine & Vika in SFs, either wins or Maria & Vika, Vika wins the Championship
:::rwest111 – Maria & Vika in SFs, Maria wins the Championship
:::dropshot – Maria & Petra in SFs, either wins the Championship

::::Shiners:
:: CPM +16
:: manixdk +15

::::Whiners:
:: elenas -20
:: PapaQ -14

Special shout out to BFFs BP & Sherlock who owe just horsen a G&T for keeping them just shy of the mud at the bottom of the pool.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AB's TWibe Racquet Bracket :: Wimbledon WTA: Current Standings
Current Standings - Tuesday, June 28, 2011 12:03 PM
Place: Name: Points

1(↔1): karin1492: 166

2(↑3): Woooozzzz: 163

3(↓2): izidane: 155

4(↑11): dropshot: 153

5(↑15): rwest111: 150

6(↓4): Vibs: 149

7(↔7): Master Ace: 147

8(↑11): Mr.X: 143
8(↑11): Niraj: 143

10(↑15): jewell: 140

11(↓4): Blue moon: 139

12(↑20): Kwaku: 137

13(↑23): Lauryn infj: 135
13(↑23): Red: 135
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Oops. Sorry if I broke the thread.

My tape was too tight.

Crunchy tendons.

It's been the end of Venus' era outside of Wimbledon for a loooong time now, and back to back losses to Pironkova of all people indicates that her strength at Wimbledon is fading, though I could see her having a good run here in the next few years, since it's a surface that rewards veterans on a good run.

As for Serena, I don't believe it's the end of her era in the least. She nearly *died* just a few months ago; she's rusty. When she overcomes that rust she'll be winning tournaments again.

We hope what Peter said is true: the end of an ugly era. The American sisters are gone. We don’t have to see panty hose and fist to the face any more. On the men side, there was a short period of ugly men tennis as well. A player thumps chest and screams, like a king kong, after he won. He was brought down by the Swiss maestro, and now he returns to his own self: Smashing racquets when he loses a point. Tennis is beautiful again. It’s morning for tennis again, tennis fans! (It’s morning in America again: Ronald Reagan).

this has to be one of the most disrespectful pieces i've read. i don't see why we have to group Venus and Serena together as one entity.

Serena came back from 11 months of inactivity, 2 foot surgeries, a hematoma and BLOOD CLOTS IN HER LUNGS. she comes back and plays 2 matches in Eastbourne, one of which she just about beats the 3rd ranked player in the world.

she comes to Wimbledon and makes it to the second week with only 2 matches under her belt after having basically stared death in the face. what in the world gives you the right to say that her dominance is over? if anything this proves that Serena is FAR from done, having survived the first week of Wimbledon.

Venus is another story that i won't get into. i believe that SHE is at the end of her career based on her recent results.

Just give them some time. They're far from done, esp Serena.

The Wimbly WTA is fascinatingly poised. Lets see, in terms of possible finals

1) Kvitova vs. Lisicki - would be an awesome final, a chance for a Major breakthrough for one of the younger lot.
2) Azarenka vs. Lisicki - ditto
3) Kvitova vs. Sharapova - be interesting to see if Sharapova gets her 4th
4) Azarenka vs Sharapova - would be torture, esp. with the roof closed. I hope they provide ear muffs

SamE - sorry about your bad Monday. I'm curious about your preferences at this stage - must be pretty tricky. If one of the 3 younger girls makes it, puts more pressure on Caro. On the other hand, you have Sharapova, who isn't your fav!. Your best bet, if Caro didn't make it was for one of the WS to take it, or someone with age / proven exp like a Li Na, Schiavone or a Kuznetsova. But you're stuck with MS...

So who are you rooting for?

I cannot believe you Peter?! You're ready to write off the Williams sisters after surprise loses at Wimbledon? Really? I defy you to name any WTA player who could come off near death injuries like Serena and still reach at least the 4th round of Wimbledon. Sure we're used to seeing her dominate, but she's also human, she gets injured like everyone else, she needs time to recover, she loses now and again, and there are times when she will be upset by players who bring just a bit more mental fortitude.

My hunch is Bartoli's demon like glare prior to serving and ballerina body flexing rattled Serena. She stared death in the face and Bartoli's look probably reminded her of that. No doubt though, Bartoli played well.

That aside, I'm not ready to give up on Venus either. Since when is 30 the cut off age for WTA players to produce great results. I'm so sick and tired of reporters quoting age as a detriment to a player's performance! Pay attention Peter, 30 is the new 20. It's that age when all the mistakes you made in your 20s are realized and you grow as a human being, become more mature, skilled, experienced. Your wisdom is greater than it was when you were twenty something. Stop breaking Venus down by the fact that she's 31. She's still a damn good player. I submit she's not the fierce competitor she once was, but I still think she has it in her to produce great results.

Let's face it, American tennis needs greater WTA prospects. We're used to relying on the dominance of Venus and Serena. Instead of knocking them down for their loses, try evaluating the performances of those lack luster American WTA players who have been playing for over a decade but never managed to amass the results of the Williams sisters. Let's try to help them with their game.

Karen,

I don't see the ATP suffering because of American absence at the top; why would the WTA?

If you play well, they will come. Minor blips aside, this typically works.

Regarding this article - Serena and Venus are at different stages of their careers. Venus hasn't been dominant outside of a 2 week period in a long time; Serena quite the opposite. They shouldn't be clubbed together.

Good morning,

I don't think November 9th, 1989 has arrived yet for Venus and Serena. Bad timing for their injuries to concur with the dates of the grass season and Wimbledon. Let's see first their results during the next HC tournaments.

Today at Wimbledon. Weather forecast: some light rain in the afternoon.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/5031?&showDay=A

Great matches today. Let's hope the weather holds.

I find it amazing that Serena and Venus can not win every match they play in your eyesight. I think you should stop all the negative criticism about them. They are human just as anyone else. Keep you comments to yourself and wait and see what the outcome will be before they retire.

Morning everyone. :)

Henman can be surprisingly funny - particularly with Mac teasing him I think.

All great players fade and are replaced by new ones at the top - that's sport. I'd give both Williams sisters a little more time before pronouncing them dead in tennis terms. Dominance may be over - with three up-and-comers in the Wimbledon semis it does feel a bit like the end of an era, as it did last year when Roger lost in the QFs at the FO and especially Wimbledon - but it doesn't have to be, and it doesn't mean we'll never see them win anything again. You could argue that their dominance has been on a long, slow fade already over the last few years.

Licky-Bartoli was great yesterday. Glad Lisicki managed to come through even after choking in the second.

Up to 10th in the WTA bracket! Go me. :)

(not even going to look at the ATP one...)

I guess, this end of era talk also peter out like talks about end of Fed and Djokovic sweeping everything in sight for rest of his life.

Good going on WTA, Jewell.

I have looked up ATP for you. You really made your position your own while rest of us poor souls are getting kicked up and down.

I like your way of finding a silver lining to my rubbishness at predictions, Nag. :)

good morning, tennis fans :) AB, where do we stand on prizes? I know Caroline is providing the lovely Centre Court book. I never saw any posts from Diane about whether she picked anything up. I will be in the gift shop at some point today, happy to pick something up if needed.

"Oops. Sorry if I broke the thread.

My tape was too tight.

Crunchy tendons."

Nicely done, AB. :)

BP, we both stink. Badly. :)

Hi H2L! Hope you have a great time today!

I cry gamesmanship and fakery on you, AB. ;-)

Morning Sherlock. :)

H2L,
Have a great day at Wimbledon today. Don't miss any details, please.
I hope you have CC tickets!

*Goes to check own points*

Morning again, everyone. :)