2011 Redux

So, 2011's Wimbledon champs prevailed again in 2014. And of course Rafa Nadal's repeat win of the French Open this year, as well as 2011, as well as most recent years, gave the two most recent Grand Slams a sense of deja vu.

What was different this year, apart from Sharapova winning the French for a second time, was the quality of play. At Wimbledon in particular, it was at a very high level, despite Djokovic's occasional awkward slips and falls. He still doesn't seem entirely comfortable on the surface, not like his coach Boris Becker was. But the depth and speed of his shots were phenomenal, except for a mini breakdown in the fourth set. The nerves still can get to him. Note how his breath seems to have gotten away from him still as play progresses.

Federer came close to winning. There must be some encouragement there, aside from inching back up in the rankings to number 3 now.

Another defeated one who might take some comfort in Wimbledon is the one who gave Kvitova the toughest match in the tourney ... Venus Williams. Maybe her ranking will start inching back up the standings as well.