We all knew it was coming last Sunday but today Roger Federer ‘officially’ beat Pete Sampras’ record for number of weeks as world number 1. For so long Federer was so close, all he needed was another weeek at the top of the game, but it seemed like a mountain, what with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic looking so dominant and with Federer reaching the age of 30! Federer wouldn’t be Federer, however, if he let the critics stop him, and knuckled down to do some hard work. Since the end of 2011, I would say, it has looked as if Federer was a real contender again, after (dare I say it!) a slight slump in form, and certainly since winning the ATP WTF last November he has had that gleam in his eyes, he shrugged off defeats more effectivly than the rest, he played more tournaments despite his age, and above all kept his cool, even when dealing with blue clay! It is for these reasons, and many more, that Roger Federer will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time, even if he hadn’t beaten Sampras’ record, this latest slice of History only cements that opinion. Federer has set the bar very high, as many believed Sampras had in his time, and I for one look forward to seeing the next generation aiming for his records as it can only inspire a higher level of tennis! Congratulations Roger Federer on all 287 days as world number one, but also for all the wonderful days in between!

I think this video below, by the ATP, sums it all up nicely!

We have come accustomed to seeing the players take a well deserved break after Wimbledon, with many of them competing and practising almost non-stop after the French Open in order to prepare for the grass-court conditions as the season is so short. With the Olympics this year the grass-court season has been extended so holidays have had to be shorter and the return to grass in les than 2 weeks (at time of writing) must be firmly in their minds.

Wimbledon Champ, Roger Federer has been spotted in Sardinia on a luxury yacht accompanied with his wife Mirka. No sign of the adorable twins though, as Roger and his wife enjoyed some time together.

The couple was dressed casually with Roger looking particularly stylish, that man does know how to dress! It looks as if the couple had been enjoying some shopping as they bought many bags with them on to the yacht.

The Wimbledon runner-up had different plans to those of the Federer’s as he has been enjoying some time in London, his home. Andy still has time to jet of for a short holiday if he is longing for the sun, as he suggested in his post-wimbledon final match, but he has to be back by July 23rd to fulfill his duty as Olympic torch-bearer! For now Andy has been spotted out and about with girlfriend Kim Sears, despite Wimbledon being over it still hasn’t stopped raining here in Britain and we brace ourselves for a wet summer, at least in the near future!

Murray and Sears were spotted buying sushi, something we know Murray is fond of. Aswell as shopping the pair found time to be in the audience of ‘Mock the Week’ a BBC show that Murray has said he enjoys, particularly jokes about himself. The panel did make a few jokes at Murray’s expense but it was all done in good humour, both Kim and Andy seemed to be enjoying themselves laughing and giggling, Kim at one point put her scarf over her mouth to cover her laughter! Andy received a brilliant reception from his fellow audience members with many standing to applaud him for his efforts, it seems Murray’s popularity is soaring high after his appearance in the Wimbledon final.

Rafael Nadal may have been disappointed with his Wimbledon run, reaching only the second round, but he shrugged it off and has used his free time to enjoy a longer holiday in the sun. Nadal was spotted, like Federer, in Sardinia, he was accompanied by friends, and appeared to be enjoying his time soaking up the sun. I expect he may make the return trip to Majorca at some point before the Olympics if he hasn’t already!

Rafa is said to be recovering from tendonitis in his knee which forced him to pull out of an exhibition match he was scheduled to play against Novak Djokovic, so he can recover in time for the London Olympics. Here he seems to be enjoying himself, snorkeling and messing around with friends.

Speaking of Novak Djokovic not much has been seen of him since he went out to Roger Federer in the semi-finals, it is known that he went off to play golf straight afterwards! However, he did tweet that he was in Greece, the accompanying photo showed him, his girlfriend Jelena and their dog Pierre!

So, that’s what the top men of the game are currently up to, next week I’m sure their thoughts will turn to the Olympics and they will be looking forward to playing for gold on the Wimbledon turf, now decked out with purple, with no doubt the grass will be in tip-top condition!

A big friendly hello to everyone who reads this, particularly the people who have followed me from my old blog!

This summer the good city of London has been blessed with rather a lot of tennis, what with the Olympics coming up and all that. I was unfortunate in that I was unable to get Olympic tennis tickets but I decided to put the money I would have potentially spent on tickets into having a few days out to the tennis earlier in the year. Since 2010 I have attended Queens and Wimbledon and after considering a trip to the Aegon classic and various other ‘alternative’ tournaments in the country I decided to stick with what I knew best for now! London is only around 45minutes from were I live so it’s not too far for me to go.

I started my attending the Aegon Championship, as usual, at Queens Club. Having semi-final tickets I was hoping for a Andy Murray match or perhaps a Tsonga one but both eluded me by being knocked out early on. However I wasn’t disappointed with the tennis I did get to see;

First up was Sam Querrey Vs Marin Cilic, followed by David Nalbandian Vs Grigor Dimitrov, two great singles matches but I believe the first was the better match, Sam managed to take Marin to 3 sets but despite it being a hard-fought match throughout Marin managed to win it! Grigor showed the promise he was supposed to but unfortunately experience, in the form of David Nalbandian, halted him on his way to the final, little did I know then that the final would be so controversial due to Davids fiery temper which he showed signs of throughout his semi-final match, swinging his racket violently and constantly complaining about the wind.

David was right about the wind though, it was not only a nuisance for the players but it was chilly for spectators! No matter, I thought, I had paid my money and I wanted to watch the doubles so wrapped up in a blanket, wearing a bobble hat and clutching a warm drink I shivered and clapped my way through till the end, despite the rapidly emptying stands.

Mirnyi/Nestor Vs Butorac/Hanley and Tipsaravic/Zimonjic Vs Bryan/Bryan.

I enjoyed my day at Queens and I must admit my appetite for tennis was growing and I could not wait till Wimbledon, at the time I only had court 1 tickets for mens final day, I was happy with that but overjoyed when I managed to secure centre court tickets on the second Monday! Murray dodged me again as he was put on court 1, but I got to see another favourite of mine, Novak Djokovic, and of course, the genius that is Roger Federer. Both men suitably swept their opponents aside with limited trouble, I also got to see a women’s match, Victoria Azeranka beat Ana Ivanovic comfortably.

It always great to be on centre court and it was especially nice to see the roof closing, I am a firm fan of the roof, it allows the tournament to finish on schedule, more late matches, keeping spectators warm and conditions consistence, the few downsides are that we probably won’t get many Peoples Sundays and indoor conditions do favour certain players.

Later in the week, after being excited to find Andy Murray had made his way to the final, making history on the way, I took the trip back down to Wimbledon. I must be honest and admit I didn’t watch too much tennis on court 1, a bit of the boys singles final and I sent family representation to the ladies invitational doubles, any other day and I would have happily watched the full schedule for court 1 but it was mens final day and Andy Murray was battling it out with the GOAT Roger Federer, both were desperate to win and make tennis history. So I went of to court 2 and watched the match on the screen, it was a nail-biting first two sets, then it rained and momentum swung firmly to Roger Federer and he did not back down for the rest of the match, even with Murray putting up a good fight. After the match, which Federer of course won, I ran to see him appear on the balcony (why not the door this year I wonder?) with the Wimbledon trophy, then waited for him to cross the bridge, despite the security trying to tell us that nobody of interest would be appearing this it was  decided we would wait a little longer as the press were all standing around, it was lucky we hung around as Federer appeared to wave and blow kisses at his adoring crowd!

After such an exciting month or so it has been hard to adjust to having little tennis on tv, I am eternally grateful for the Olympics this year, which bridges the gap between Wimbledon and the rest of the season, I’m sure the players are looking forward to a couple of weeks rest though before they have to compete all over again on the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon!

Sophie xx

(Sorry for the odd picture ordering, I’m just getting used to this layout. All pictures in this post are my own.)