Vondrousova’s unimaginable crowning glory at Wimbledon

This is how great stories are born when you least expect it and where you probably least expected it. This is happening now in London, with the English crowd giving an ovation to Marketa Vondrousova, now the latest Wimbledon champion. Czech, discreet, reserved. Happy with his noble metal tray. Only the fans had heard of her, a tennis player who competes with one of those new electric motors that don’t make any noise, so quiet. But what are they shooting? Behind, lots of injuries, another of those races on the brink of failure. But this is how Ons Jabeur puts it, defeated again, doubles 6-4 in 1 hour and 20 minutes: “It’s a tough journey, this is tennis.”

The Tunisian, who was a finalist last year, shed tears during the parliamentary session at another missed opportunity, the third on a grand stage. It gave way in Cathedral last year, then crashed in New York and came back empty. One stick after the other. You already weigh. “I’m going to look ugly in the photos and I don’t want that to happen,” she says, trying to hold back tears. “It’s the hardest loss of my career… But you’re a fantastic player [le dedica a la campeona] and you’ve suffered a lot of injuries, so I’m happy for you. I won’t give up, I’ll come back stronger. “One day I’ll make it, I promise you that,” he turns to his team, who are also complaining from the stands.

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Jabeur, 28, is considered one of the most talented players and one with the best wrist in the entire world and doesn’t quite find the rewards her virtuosity deserves. The tension consumes him. It happened a year ago – defeated by Elena Rybakina – and the scene is repeated. In the fourth game he couldn’t control himself and already missed several slaps in the face, which led to reddening of the thigh. It gets hit, it gets punished; He’s biting his nails on the sidewalk and his face is already a poem. Being very good is not the same as knowing how to reach the final in tennis. There are, and many, who had an exceptional game and ended up empty-handed. But there are also those that remain.

Without going further, famous people like Chris Evert or figures like Kim Clijsters. Both lost their first three finals; then they touched the sky. It happens that Jabeur is approaching thirty and his late rise collides with the fragility that the final day brings. It starts off well again, but gradually loses its color and shakes its arms and spins around like a lost soul, although there’s still one world left. Consequently, the story of an African tennis player winning yet another Grand Slam remains in the draft as Vondrousova, yes Vondrousova, celebrates against all odds.

To Novotna and Kvitova

“I don’t even know how I did it,” he replies over the green. “Before this tournament I didn’t think I could play at this level. “This sport is crazy, I don’t know what’s happening…” continues the winner in disbelief, who before this feat – signed at the age of 24 – had only won four games on grass. elbow, wrist, elbow; Operating room and a progressive decline in the rankings when he had already attracted attention four years ago, then a finalist at Roland Garros. It’s in the grass now. Jabeur insists on hitting the net and, in all the coldness of the world, she finishes like it should be here. There’s a slip, a double fault, but the cut volley comes.

Ons Jabeur cries during the closing ceremony.Ons Jabeur cries during the closing ceremony. DYLAN MARTINEZ (Portal)

“I don’t know what to do with myself,” he says, referring to the numerous tattoos that cover his skin in the form of doodles. “But I know my coach promised me I’d get one if I win a Grand Slam… So let’s go tomorrow!” he continues, laughing. Strange but true. She was the first outlaw to storm London; she, so far 42nd in the world; She is the lowest-ranked winner in the history of the tournament. The English prize will catapult him to the tenth level, then he will shine in the top 10 for the first time. She successfully honors her compatriots Jana Novotna (1998) and Petra Kvitova (2011 and 2014).

And in the meantime, the roulette continues, even if a new status has emerged on the circuit and Swiatek, Sabalenka or Rybakina are consolidating at the top. There have been seven different champions in the last seven editions of the tournament, with two new champions in the first two Majors of this course; There are already 18 active players who have won a trophy in the four Majors, from the very experienced Venus Williams (43 years old and still active) to the surprising Czech (left-handed, swinging shot, technically sound and intelligent, pure school) . East) that neither the most optimistic nor the most daring expected.

Yes, Vondrousova. He came to Wimbledon unannounced and from below. who would say

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