The ‘Unseeded’ Vondrousova creates ‘World Record’ breezing past Jabeur

By V.N. Prasad

Heartiest congratulations to the young Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova; both marketing themselves on the world stage of ‘Grand Slams’ in grand manner. The world watches them going forward.

Being fair to ‘Fair Sex’, it augurs well for me to cover Ladies event first.

Discerning lovers of sports go beyond statistics and delve into the event in terms of quality, application, tenacity and competitive edge the players exhibit, especially in the last four. These attributes left much to be desired as the competition went past Quarters up to the Finals. Vandrasouva surprised herself as she went past the American Jessica Pegula in the Quarters in 3 sets and Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, in straight sets. Both the losers were heads and shoulders better equipped to win. But, luck smiled on Vandrasouva.

Tunisian Ons Jabeur has always relied upon ‘Tact’ than on ‘Power’. Her abilities to cover the court has never been swift. In the lighter vein, she did take sweet revenge of 2022 Wimbledon Finals against the far better equipped Kazakh Elena Rybakina in the 3 setter Quarters; by sheer providence in the 2nd Set. In the Semis, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka played far below par, squandering opportunities to thumb the Tunisian. Ironically, none of the better ones in Iga Swiatek nor Elena Rybakina nor Aryna Sabalenka nor Jessica Pegula could make it to the finals. Luck had it that Jabeur and Vandrasouva landed in the finals.

I am constrained to mention that in the finals, Jabeur looked ‘Laid Back’ at times, ‘Indifferent’ at times and committed inexcusable ‘Unforced Errors’ too many times to hand the trophy to the unseeded Czech Marketa Vandrasouva on a ‘Silver Platter’. The encounter lacked the sting of a Grand Slam Finals. A connoisseur would quickly recall the days when the likes of Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Arantxa Sanchez, Jennifer Capriati, Martina Hingis, Serena Williams and more, who all played ‘Razor-Sharp’ Tennis in the last four. While the world would have loved to watch tenacious tennis, it was not to be.

Coming to the Men’s Finals, the world awaited the encounter. Young Lamb Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, at 20, was charged up to win his 2nd Grand Slam while the invincible GOAT, Serbian Novak Djokovic, at 36, looked stoic to start with. Grandstanding of veterans has always been to “Tire Out” young inexperienced opponents in the beginning and later consign them to the cross to win titles. The 1st set was reminiscent of this as the GOAT crushed the young LAMB 6-1. The Spaniard who had beaten the Russian Daniiel Medvedev in straight sets looked all at sea. As the game progressed, the GOAT slipped across the Baseline too many times that perhaps took toll on his ankles and knees (which he did not exhibit) and committed too many errors. On the other side, the young Alcaraz tried ‘Drop Shots’ a few too many and most of them were quelled by the legend with sharp alacrity, that were amazing. In short, the viewers over the world cried out, “Alcaraz, keep your strokes away from ‘Drop Shots’, ‘High Lobs’ and ‘Half Court Returns’ & concentrate on ‘Baseline’ & ‘Corner’ returns and force errors by the legend.” 2nd set @ 8-6 was a ‘Hard Fought’ win to the Spaniard, while the 3rd was a virtual ‘Give Away’ @ 6-1. The GOAT smothered the young LAMB in the 4th set @ 6-3; to level the match. The world has seen him and many such legends ‘Ploughing Through’ the 5th set & lift the trophy. But, here, the young lad just rose beyond expectations of the world, exhibited the ultimate class of agile tennis to smother one of the best players in the world today to lift the coveted trophy.

Heartiest congratulations to the youngster and he surely will be the legend going forward. However, we do appreciate the class exhibited by Novak, despite the loss. The nearly ‘Five Hours’ of the Finals was filled with all the thrill the world enjoyed. Thanks to all the players for the entertainment. We keenly look forward to the US Open.