After two years of every men’s Grand Slam final containing one of either Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray, the first Slam of the new season has thrown a potential blast from the past into the mix.
Jose Mourinho MOCKS Jurgen Klopp as Manchester United reach EFL Cup final Should Rafael Nadal progress past Grigor Dimitrov in the only remaining semi-final on Friday, the Spaniard will face a foe he’s met in the finals of Slams on eight separate occasions, but for the first time since the French Open in 2011.
In the women’s draw, a Grand Slam match-up that has also taken place eight times is the clash of Venus Williams and Serena Williams.
The two sisters will lock horns on Saturday for the first time at this stage of a major since 2008.
No. of Slam titles
17 – Roger Federer
14 – Rafael Nadal
7 – Venus Williams
Between the four, they’ve amassed 60 Slam titles. There’s no disputing their status as legends of the game.
And this Slam has proved to be the ultimate chance to celebrate their phenomenal careers.
Throughout the two weeks, it’s as if we’ve traveled back in time as those who dominated the sport 10 years ago __have ripped up the form books in the search of penning another chapter in the history books.
For perhaps one last time, we can see these gladiators of tennis stride purposefully into the arena, to compete in the most iconic matches of the 21st century.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m by no means saying their careers will be over when the final ball is struck over the weekend, but the chances of seeing these two epic matches on such a big stage will be few and far between from here on out, if we indeed see them again.
Most recent Slam final meetings
2009 Wimbledon – Serena 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 Venus
Roger & Rafa
2011 French Open – Nadal 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-1
Considering the frequency of the final clashes, it’s perhaps surprising that this will only be the second Grand Slam where both pairings are present on the same Slam’s final weekend.
The first was nine years ago at Wimbledon in 2008, where Venus triumphed over Serena and Nadal beat Federer in a five-set epic – one of the most memorable finals in history.
If at the start of the tournament, you would’ve said we’d see a repeat of that in 2017, you would __have been laughed out the room.
All over 30, all past their best, all at rankings below what has been expected of them throughout the majority of their careers, tennis was thought to have moved on from these stars of yesteryear.
I suspect this will be the last time we see these finals that have brought such joy to tennis fans throughout the years.
I’m 99% certain we won’t see Venus in another major final and I fully expect Djokovic and Murray to roar back and continue to dominate the men’s side of things so this must be viewed as a truly unique opportunity.
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Regardless of result, let’s celebrate these legends, their historic match-ups and feast our eyes on them for what could ultimately prove to be one last time on the biggest stage.
It’s fitting the tennis gods have aligned the stars so that we can enjoy them all on the same Slam weekend.
Nine years on, far from in their pomp. These great champions shall do battle again.
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