ILLUSTRATION BY FERDINAND VAN ALPHEN
What a sport lover’s weekend is in store! Saturday will feature Serena Williams battling it out against Angelique Kerber in the Women’s Final at Wimbledon. These two went head to head in the 2016 final, with Williams grabbing the win in a tight two set match. That was the last time Williams played at Wimbledon since becoming a mom and this only her fourth tournament back — amazing, but not surprising given her record as a Grand Slam finalist (30) and Grand Slam champion (23)!
The men take to the court Sunday morning for the Men’s Final at Wimbledon, where Kevin Anderson will be competing against… late breaking news: Novac Djokovic! In one of the tightest, longest, and most epic semi-final matches, after 6:36 hours on the court, Anderson finally edged out John Isner winning (7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4, 26-24)! There are no tie-breakers in the fifth set at Wimbledon, and it took Anderson 26 games to win his spot in the final.
Because the match went so long, the second semi-final match featuring Novac Djokovic and Rafael Nadal didn’t start until 8pm. They had just three hours to play before the lights were switched off on Centre Court and they were sent home for the night. When the match resumed Saturday morning, Djokovic prevailed in another 5-set marathon semi-final wining 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 10-8!
And there’s the final that everyone as been waiting to watch for the last 4 years, and 1 month, the World Cup final! What began on June 14th will finish on July 15th when France takes on Croatia at 11am EST. The Wimbledon Mens Final starts at 9am EST. Precluding a blow out match at Wimbledon, you’re going to have to pick one final or keep your hand on the remote. As Anderson has now gone the five set distance in his last two matches (dethroning Roger Federer along the way too I might add), you’ll need more luck watching both than any of the players in either of these finals!
Finally, if tennis or soccer are not of interest there is always the Tour de France! It’s Bastille Day on Saturday and the scenic route of Stage 8 from Dreux to Amiens Métropole. With Stage 7 finishing in Chartres, the riders visit Amiens as the Tour de France goes from one cathedral to another. Then it’s on the famed and treacherous cobblestones of Stage 9 on Sunday as the route goes from Arras Citadelle to Roubaix. Unfortunately however, it’s another major European sporting event taking place at roughly the same time…
Have a great weekend!
