Serena Williams had no answer to Alize Cornet. One of tennis' greatest champions, Boris Becker, told GiveMeSport in an exclusive interview that the ladies game is in great shape and that he has no idea who might walk away with the coveted Grand Slam crown come the end of the Wimbledon Championships.
Becker, a Six-times Grand Slam winner, and winner of the coveted title at SW19 in 1985, 1986 and 1989, believes with the experienced grass court players and the exciting young talent coming through, it is difficult to see a clear favourite.
Serena Williams and Li Na out
Barely and hour after the former champion spoke to GiveMeSport, the ladies draw was blown wide open following the stunning victory by French star Alize Cornet over five-times Wimbledon champion Serena Williams.
Adding to this, the early departure of Chinese superstar and number two-seed Li Na, has left the ladies title up for grabs to player that wants it the most.
Ladies draw wide open
French Open Champion, Maria Sharapova has moved into pole position to lift the title 10-years after her only other title at SW19, however Becker remained adamant that anybody can get their hands on there trophy this year.
"Interesting tournament. Many veterans that are comfortable on grass. Many players that are accomplished on grass, and then there is the younger up and coming group. I wouldn't say there is a clear favourite. It is a pretty open and fascinating women's competition and who knows who is going to be in the final."
Despite wins in Brisbane, Miami and Rome, world number one and 17-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, has failed to make it into the quarter-finals of any of the three Grand Slams this season, suggesting perhaps time is catching up with her.
There is no doubt that Williams remains the favourite whenever she walks out onto court, however there is also a suggestion that her opponents believe the aura of invicibility is no longer attached to her game.
Change
Adding to this, the form of some of the more experienced players like Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova and Agnieszka Radwanska to mention a few, coupled with rising talent like Simona Halep, Genie Bouchard, Camilla Giorgi and Alize Cornet has left Becker to believe that a change in the ladies game is near.
Serena Williams dumped out of Wimbledon
"There is a change. Serena has been on top for so long. Naturally she wants to hold on for as long as possible but time doesn't stand still for anybody, even Serena. On a good day she is still tough to beat on a hard court and on grass."
Becker went on to add: "New talent is knocking on the door very loudly and they are eventually going to enter."
To read more on GiveMeSport's exclusive interview with six-times Grand Slam Champion Boris Becker, stay tuned for the second week of Wimbledon.
Follow Boris Becker on his ATP Tour travels with Team Djokovic by connecting with him here on his Facebook page.
No comments:
Post a Comment