THE CHAMPIONSHIPS, WIMBLEDON

Women’s Final: [CR1] Serena Williams (USA) vs. [CR20] Garbine Muguruza (ESP)

Williams won her twenty-first Major title and keeps alive her Grand Slam dream.  Although it was very shaky at the end, she found a way to win as only Williams can. The pressure of the moment affected both players throughout the match.  For Williams, the magnitude of what she would accomplish if she won this final came crashing down on her as she served for the match.  Twice, she attempted to close it out and could not find her serve simply because she could not control the nerves.  Yet, Muguruza was also feeling nervous. She had a chance to even the second set and make Williams serve again to take the lead.  Something not guaranteed as Williams had lost serve twice.  This was Muguruza’s opportunity to potentially steal the second set; however, never underestimate the effect nerves have on a player’s game.

I am a Williams fan and I will say that she gave me a few anxious moments when she dropped serve twice in the second set.  I knew it would be tougher for her to win if this went to a third.  Williams wants to avoid thinking about the Grand Slam; however, I will mention it.  If she wins the US Open this year, she will do what has not been done since Steffi Graf did it in 1988, win a Grand Slam.  The pressure does not diminish going forward for Williams as she will have the added stress of playing for her country’s Major. Will Williams win her 22nd Major title at the US Open and tie Stefanie Maria “Steffi” Graf’s record?  Although Williams defeated Muguruza 6-4, 6-4; Muguruza should be proud of her accomplishment, a finalist at Wimbledon.

Congratulations to both players!