Wimbledon 2015

A lot of it is the money. The money's too good - men and women. Wozniacki has made 20 million in about 8 years without whatever she's paid in endorsements. Never won a major. You're not out there playing for the mortgage (or anything close to it) so matches start to flatten out the later you go. Williams drops sets, a lot, but only she knows how long she's waiting to kick it in gear; she beats the shit out of Sharapova almost every time she plays her, as if to make a point.

The first couple rounds of any major is where the great, desperate tennis tends to be played. That's tennis players battling for money.

 

Or the qualifying just to get into a major (or any regular tour event). First-round loser at U.S. Open qualifying got $4,451 last year. Those who won three rounds of qualifying and made it into the first-round of the main draw were guaranteed $35,574 --- even if they lost 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 in the first round to Djokovic.

 

She also played for the Swiss Fed Cup team last (or this) year. She was strong in doubles as usual, I believe, but I think her age and lack of power were pretty evident in singles. Still, it's been a heck of a second or third career for her. And more than anything she looks like she's having fun, which she seldom did as a teenager and so few pros do now.

 

Regarding the current state of tennis:

Here a PEDs, there a PEDs, everywhere a PEDs PEDs...

Google Serena 2005.

It's Barry Bonds all over again.

And Djokovic's personality has changed.. Used to smile and joke. Now he yells at ball kids and rages.

 

My favorite "nice" Djokovic moment