WIMBLEDON 2023 BEGINS TODAY!

As miserable as I was when Roger Federer, The Stranger I Love Most, officially retired from competitive tennis ten months ago, he actually wound-up doing me a slight favor. Here’s why: I always watch every second of Wimbledon–I repeat, every second–of the wonderful tournament, but this year I really don’t have that kind of time. Right in the middle of the tennis extravaganza are baseball’s Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, the ESPYs Awards show, several play opening nights, and a couple of gifting events, not to mention even doctor and dentist appointments! So, without Roger playing Wimbledon, it will be easier to lessen my death grip on the tournament a taste. I hope.

Roger Federer in his Wimbledon glory days.

But still, the tourney begins today and goes non-stop for the next two weeks. I don’t really have any dogs in this year’s race, and only one person from either side to root against. That is Novak Djokovic, of course. I don’t hate him, as many do. Rather, his success just chaps my hide; I hate that he’s won more Majors than Roger now. And his anti-vax stand disgusts me. But other than those peccadilloes, Novak is charming and intelligent. It’s actually a bit strange that most tennis fans, and the general public, just do not cotton to him. But oh well.

I’ll still watch what I can, and root for whom I perceive to be the nicest people out there, one of which is Ons Jabeur from Tunisia. I wish she had won it last year, when she was in the Final with a great chance, because World #1 Iga Swiatek of Poland appears to have a chokehold on the four Majors now.

I also always root for the wonderful married couple, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and her most entertaining husband, France’s Gael Monfils, (who, sadly, had to withdraw due to a wrist injury he sustained at the French Open last month,) along with gorgeous Matteo Berrettini from Italy, and the most colorful player I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness, Aussie Nick Kyrgios. (But, again sadly, he withdrew just yesterday, due to a wrist injury, as well. My favorite men are dropping like flies! This tourney will really miss the two most entertaining players ever!!!)

Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, having their usual fun time.

I’m also a big fan of Czechs Karolina Plishkova and lovely Petra Kvitova. And I root for intense Viktoria Azarenka, who’s semi-reviled now because she’s from Belarus. Last year, athletes from that country and Russia weren’t allowed to play in this tournament, but now they can, as long as they’re listed as being from basically nowhere. On the men’s side, kooky Daniil Medvedev, from “nowhere,” as well, (because he’s Russian,) is always fun to watch, on so many levels.

And we Americans have two men, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, in the Top 10 for the first time in over eleven years! That’s something to root for during the Fourth of July holiday. And in that vein, keep an eye on Chris Eubanks, another young American who is now up to being #43 in the world, although few have heard of him outside of the tennis world. He could turn-out to be a great Wimby story.

New(ish)comer Chris Eubanks.

Now, nothing to do with the actual competition, but I loved seeing Roger Federer do some sort of exhibition at Wimbledon recently, with the ball kids and Princess Kate!!! I don’t know of whom I was more jealous for playing with the other! We all know how much I adore Roger, but I admire Kate more than any other female; I’d love her to be My New Best Friend! I would have been happy to even be one of those ball kids!

Princess Kate and Roger Federer learning how to be ball kids at Wimbledon!

By the way, I’ve never mentioned this before, but I love that Wimbledon refers to the players as “ladies” and “gentlemen,” as opposed to the usual “women’s” and “men’s.” Very classy of them.

Okay, that’s it for now. I have to get started on watching the tennis already! I wish the best of luck to all who deserve it. And I’m sure we’re in for some great surprises, as always.