QUOTE OF THE DAY: Sloane Stephens

The streak is broken. I'm so sorry to all of you who don't have to write about me this week and next week. I'm so sorry. 

- Sloane Stephens after being asked about her streak of 6-straight second week appearances ending today

YIKES. Next question anyone? Anyone??

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

HE SAID/SHE SAID: 2013 Wimbledon, Day One

Q. You've said that only an arrogant man would not have doubts. You've said that a couple of times now. Do you have some doubts on your play on grass? And are you proud of your legacy on grass for a person who was brought up on clay?

RAFAEL NADAL: Obviously I have doubts. I have doubts on grass. I have doubts on clay and hard, for sure in indoor.
If I don't have doubts is because I really don't feel the passion for this game. You don't see myself with doubts the first week of Roland Garros? Yes, with a lot of doubts. Today I play with doubts. I lost, yes.

Q. But you're proud of your grass court play?

RAFAEL NADAL: If I'm proud today?

Q. Not today. Over the years, what you have done on grass.

RAFAEL NADAL: What do you think? Five finals, two victories. I don't know how many players have that. I think for me is a lot. That don't mean I not going to keep trying to have success in this surface.

Q. How did you draw on your years of experience when a friend of yours suffered a tough defeat in the first round in a big tournament back in America? Did you give some nice advice to console him after that setback?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Sorry, who are you talking about?

Q. Redfoo.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Oh, my God. I thought you were talking about real US Open tournament. He's happy with the match. I didn't see the match because was nighttime here. I mean, as long as he's happy ... I'm proud of him no matter what. 

To go out and have courage to do something like that, that's pretty remarkable. He's a champion in his heart. I mean, his forehand should get better, definitely. I mean, that's something that he has to work on.

Q. The win makes you the most successful British man in Grand Slams ever. Were you aware of that?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I didn't actually know that. Yeah, that's nice. You know, the Grand Slams are obviously the pinnacle of our sport. It's the tournaments I prepare extremely hard for, you know, 
where you want to try and play your best tennis.

Yeah, I guess that shows I've played some of my best tennis at the slams, and hopefully I can continue that.

Q. This week there's a commemoration of 40 years of the WTA. We have some of the best players ever playing right now. When you think of the sport, who do you consider the greatest woman player ever and why?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: That's an extremely tough question because I wasn't part of the generation which consisted of incredible players. I can only speak of the generation that I was part of.

I never played Steffi Graf. I never played Chris Evert. Never played Navratilova. So those are considered incredible champions.

So I think on many different levels, they all deserve a tremendous amount of respect. And I don't think one should be called greater than the other. There's no real reason for that.

Q. If you could play one player who you haven't played?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Probably Steffi.

Q. How do you think you'd play with her great forehand, her speed?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think she'd chop me up (smiling).

Q. Last question from me. I'm from Switzerland, so can you talk a little bit more about Roger Federer's serve? Is it tough to read?

JERZY JANOWICZ: I played against Roger once in Rome, so I remember during the important points he was serving ace perfectly on the line. So this was quite annoying sometimes. But, yeah, it's not easy to read his serve. Second of all, he has unbelievable second serve. He has great kick.

Q. On grass, what do you think comes easy to you and what is challenging for you on this surface?

SLOANE STEPHENS: I think you get to hit the ball as hard as you can and most of the time it's still going to go in. I think that's good, and that's the easiest part. You just, like, go for your shots on. Most of the ones on hardcourts are like going to go to the fence, and on grass for some reason it stays in.

Moving is the hardest part. You want to run, and when you think you're going to slide and do something cool you're on the floor. So I think movement is the hardest part.

Q. This is your sixth time out there on opening day as defending champion. Does it now feel familiar, or do you have a sense of excitement and nerves? Would you wish this were a longer match, to have longer on court for the first day?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, the longer the match, the longer you spend on Centre Court, it's not a bad thing. That's what I was thinking today. It went by very quickly. But I guess at the end of the day you'd prefer to have it this way, walk away as a winner instead of being out there for five hours and losing in the first round.

It's been always a dream come true for me. In some ways, once I understood what it's all about, opening Monday, the defending champion gets the honor to open the court, ever since it's been an amazing day and match to be part of. And I see it also for the other players. They always think it's super exciting being a part of that match. I'm happy I won 'em all. So that's been a good thing, as well. That helps to enjoy it (smiling).

Q. Grass doesn't suck too badly.

ANDREA PETKOVIC: Well, it awkwardly has to do with the head a lot. Normally when I went into the grass season I was already pissed before I hit one ball. This time I was just in this whole mood of gratefulness for my second chance career. I just see it really as a second career. I was just like, Okay, you're just going to go for the grass and love it and try to start a romance with it.

If it didn't want you, you're going to force it to love back. So I'm just enjoying myself really. I'm never going to be ... it's never going to be my favorite surface, but as I said, I'm working at least on a romance.

Q. Can you tell us what was your very first thought on Friday when you saw the draw, Rafa in the first round?

STEVE DARCIS: Shit (laughter).

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

Rafael Nadal! On a tennis court! Again!

Happy much? Why, yes, yes I am. So is he and the other he, as he should be. Rafael Nadal's hand, head, abs, infamous ass-ets and that wonky left knee all returned to action today in Vina del Mar, Chile. He paired up with Juan Monaco to win his first match in over 7 months, albeit in doubles, over Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy 6-3, 6-2 in the VTR Open clay-court tournament. Here are some highlights:
 

Tomorrow is Rafa's knee's first big test as he plays his first singles match against Federico Delbonis.

So, how did his knee hold up today?  Here's what he had to say after the win: "At the end of the day the doctors have said it's OK. There is no risk of making it worse. My knee keeps hurting. But the fact I am playing here is a thing of joy."

"I am not 100 percent, I need some weeks. If it hurts, it hurts and we'll put up with it. I am here to play tennis, with or without pain. ...I'm happy to have played an official game, although it was doubles."

Bottom line, there's pain and he's dealing with it. It should come as no surprise since Uncle Toni said there could be discomfort for a few more weeks. But Rafa's smiling big and so am I. And, if I had to bet, I'd say you are, too. Unless you're a robot. But, even robots have mechanical hearts.

[Photo(s) credit: @RafaelNadal Twitter account]

2013 Australian Open: Perhaps it’s just a case of déjà vu

There’s a weird feeling nagging at me. The calendar says the Australian Open came and went, and I remember watching it (full disclosure: DVR is my capital B-estie) but nothing seems that different. No euphoria from an epic final (see last year) or a first-time major winner (see last year). Not even a sniff of a legend showing the young guns how’s it really done (see the 2012 “Serena Storm”). Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka entered the year and this tourney as world number ones and defending champions, and when the last ball was smacked they were left standing in the same spot they began. Wizards of Oz. Again.

Sure, a whole slew of drama filled out the middle. They both had to overcome tough moments that tested their champion’s mettle – an inexhaustible Nole eeking out a 12-10 fifth set win over Stanislas Wawrinka in a fourth round war and Vika fighting through a wonky rib and/or breathing problems and/or anxiety in her controversial semifinal win over a clearly over-awed Sloane Stephens and/AND a majority anti-Vika crowd in the final. But in the end, they defended their titles and remained the top ballers in the world.

Maybe that’s why I’ve been struggling a bit trying to put the finishing touches on this fortnight in Melbourne. It doesn’t seem like anything was figured out. I suppose it just means this first Grand Slam of the year is a proper beginning…a true starting point…A LAUNCHING PAD! So, might this year be different than the last?

After Nole fell onto his back, exhausted and elated, after almost six hours battling Rafael Nadal, it was all about the “Nole Slam.” Would he become first man since Rod Laver to hold all 4 majors at once and the 8th man in tennis history to complete the Career Grand Slam at Roland Garros? As we all know, Rafa exacted his revenge and ended that conversation. Although there were glimpses of that remarkable form, Nole was never really “Nole” again until the fall indoor season when he regained the top spot from Roger Federer and won the ATP World Tour Finals.

Vika went on a spectacular tear after claiming her first major and the top ranking in Melbourne, winning 26-straight matches until she was defeated by Marion Bartoli at the Sony Ericsson Open. From there, the Belarussian went into something of a slumber while Serena Williams took a stranglehold on Vika (going 0-5 against ReRe) and the rest of 2012. The 15-time Grand Slammer appeared primed to continue her domination in Oz, but a feisty Stephens and a turned ankle stopped her masterful run. When a door opens in tennis you better take it, and Vika did in the end.

"I was actually really happy that I went through so many things knowing that I can still produce the tennis that I can and keep the focus that I can," she said in her post-match presser. "It just motivates me to be a better player."

They were challenged and overcame. Now Nole and Vika are back where they began. But it’s different. Where they ended up may be the same, but something undoubtedly has changed. Adversity has a way of doing that. It’s like a full-circle moment except this one isn’t completed yet. Far from it. There’s still a whole season ahead of them, hungry foes to defeat, and a lot of work still left to do. Just ask Nole.

"You know, I'm just trying to embrace this moment and enjoy it as much as I can and see where tomorrow brings me."

 [Photo(s) credit: AP, Getty]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Stanislas Wawrinka

We pushed each other to the limit. But in the end I lost and the disappointment is there and the disappointment is enormous. But I do think it’s also the most accomplished match I’ve ever played.

--Stan Wawrinka after losing to Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 12-10 in an epic fourth rounder at the Australian Open

Awesome effort, Stanny Boy.

[Photo(s) credit: AP]

(UPDATED) QUOTE OF THE DAY: Victoria Azarenka

If I relax my butt a little bit, somebody's going to come and kick it.

- Victoria Azarenka on being the top lady baller

And by "somebody" she means the "little magician." And by "little magician" she means, er, a Polish lady baller who can't wait to do just what Vika said after what she said about Vika. 

Ay, what a telenovela. Can't wait to read into all of the stare downs, fist pumps and other on-court dramz during their Indian Wells quarterfinal. Just grab your popcorn and ENJOY.

UPDATE: Forget a telenovela. More like a mini-commercial break. Ouch.

[Photo(s) credit: Jeff Gross/Getty Images]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Andy Murray

If there was more tournaments on these courts, I think he could definitely be No. 1 in the world for the next few years.

- Andy Murray on Roger Federer's stellar play on the fast courts of Dubai

I was actually thinking about this very thing after reading that Fed won Dubai for the fifth time over the weekend. His last four titles before this one were all on indoor hard aka FAST: Rotterdam, ATP World Tour Finals in London, Paris Masters and Basel. He likes speed. Always has, always will.

But, do I think he could be the top baller over the likes of Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal over the next few years if more surfaces were quicker? Nope. Let's be real. While it's his best chance, he's not going to blow them off any surface consistently anymore, and not enough to grab the top spot. He'd be in the mix and would even sneak in another major. That's it, which is still impressive for someone at this point in their career.

But it's all just talk. We'll never know because the tourneys aren't going to all of sudden quicken up the courts. Me thinks Muzz might've had his tail tucked in between his legs a bit after this loss.

[Photo(s) credit: AP]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Ana Ivanovic

I believe so. My new team can help me to get there.

- Ana Ivanovic on whether she can take up residence again in the WTA Penthouse after winning Bali for the second straight year

Top 20? Absolutely. Top 10? Sure. Top 5? Maybe. World No. 1? Ummmm...no. 

I get that these ballers need to say it (especially to themselves) or why else get up in the morning and pull up the laces, but I just don't see it with NaturAna. Nope.

But nice birdy-feathery-headdress-thingy. Or is that coral? Seriously, how is she not falling over wearing that? I don't see wires. Maybe the trophy is balancing her out. Or it's MAGIC. 

I'm so confused.

[Photo(s) credit: AFP PHOTO / SONNY TUMBELAK]

SIGHTING: Andy Murray + Kim Sears at Burberry

Andy Murray and the WAGilicious Kim Sears were spotted at the Burberry Spring/Summer 2012 Womenswear Show at Kensington Gardens today in London. As he did last year, Muzz took his spot in the front row with Kim next to famed photog Mario Testino, who shot the Brit baller for Vogue, and model-actress Rosie Huntington Whiteley.

Muzz also made another bit of news today when he told the BBC that the ATPers were ready to do what was necessary to get the schedule changed, including the possibility of some sort of strike. Right now, it would take years to get anything done according to Muzz, but the current ballers want something done sooner rather than later. They plan to meet up in Shanghai next month to discuss their options, including a strike. Via BBC:

"It's a possibility. I know from speaking to some players they're not afraid of doing that [striking].

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that but I'm sure the players will consider it."

Asked whether the subject of a strike or boycott will be mentioned during the meeting in China, he continued: "Yes I think so.

"If we come up with a list of things we want changed - and everyone is in agreement but they don't happen - then we need to have some say in what goes on in our sport. At the moment we don't.

"We'll sit down, talk about it with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and International Tennis Federation (ITF), see if they will come to a compromise and, if not, we'll go from there.

"We just want things to change, really small things. Two or three weeks during the year, a few less tournaments each year, which I don't think is unreasonable."

Tennis is made up of so many disparate parts with competing agendas and bottom lines that need to be fed. I think having the ballers convene and come up with their demands is one way to get the officials to listen. As much as I wouldn't want to see a strike it's a pretty remarkable to think they would actually band together push back that way. We'll see if they do.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Kissing the cup

Oh, to be a trophy.

Yes. Congratulations, Novak Djokovic, on a whole bunch of things: first US Open title, fourth career major, 10th title of the year, 64-2 record, 3 Slams in a single year, sixth straight win over Rafael Nadal, and beating Roger Federer and Rafa back-to-back. Pretty massive list of accomplishments.

So where does he go from here? From the Serbian horse's mouth at his post-match presser:

There is still a lot of things to prove, you know, to myself, to the tennis world. I still want to win many more events, many more major events. That's something ‑‑ as I said, you know, it's not just habit of standing up every morning and being focused on what you do. It's just that love for the sport that keeps me going. And winning on the court, that feeling, as along as it stays with me, I will keep fighting for more trophies. Yeah, so it would be unbelievable to be able to complete the Grand Slam, to win the French Open. It's something that is definitely an ambition, but it's going to take time.

Sure it's going to take time, but the French Open won't be far off. Before Wimbledon, I would've said winning on the grass was going to be the biggest hurdle and he took that one home. But all that talk is for next year. Right now is where it's at. Major props, Nole. Now go stuff your face with gluten. You've earned it.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

QUOTES OF THE DAY: Roger Federer

Yeah, I had it. There's no more I could do. Snaps one shot, and then the whole thing changes. It's strange how it goes, you know, but it was a good tournament for me. Sure, I'd love to be in the finals and give myself a chance to win the title, which is not the case now. So I have to accept that and move on.

- Roger Federer after squandering two match points during his semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the US Open

I don't know why it struck me strangely to hear Fed say "There's no more I could do." He was obviously disappointed after losing a match he probably should have won but I don't recall ever hearing him sound so resigned. The Swiss always has a way of explaining a big loss away and giving the impression he could've won if he had done this or that differently. It seems he realized a match actually could be out of his hands. This one, however, was not.

The Serb was unreal on the first match point - one of the best match point saves that I've ever seen - but Fed had a chance on the second match one. He served smartly into Nole's body and had a forehand he could've put away, but it clipped the net and went out. Maybe he was already discouraged or feeling tight after losing the first match point. But really, there's no explaining that miss away.

Confidence? Are you kidding me? I mean, please. Look, some players grow up and play like that. I remember losing junior matches. Just being down 5 2 in the third, and they all just start slapping shots. It all goes in for some reason, because that's the kind of way they grew up playing when they were down. I never played that way. I believe in hard work's gonna pay off kinda thing, because early on maybe I didn't always work at my hardest. So for me, this is very hard to understand how can you play a shot like that on match point. But, look, maybe he's been doing it for 20 years, so for him it was very normal. You've got to ask him.

- Fed on the match point return winner by Nole

WhatEVAH. That is all.

[Photo(s) credit: Al Bello/Getty Images]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Serena Williams

 

Yeah. I walk out there, do the Crip walk and try to intimidate them. No, I don't try. I just am. I am who I am. I don't know whether that's intimidating or not. I am just me.

- Serena Williams on whether she's intimidating

OMG.

*on the floor*

[Photo(s) credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images]

Del Potro downed by Simon, up close and personal (well, almost)

I finally made it out to the US Open yesterday. Normally I like to grab a grounds pass for the first couple of days since every court is filled with matches. But with the new job it just wasn’t possible. Perhaps next year.

Anyway, I was able to catch the third round match between Juan Martin del Potro + Gilles Simon in full. The Frenchie played some solid tennis in hot and humid conditions, running down Delpo’s ginormous groundies and keeping the big boy on the move. He forced the former US Open champ into errors and served well on key points - none bigger than when he saved set points in the fourth set.

 Even the Argentine thought so:

Q. There was that one point where I think there were three times where it looked like you had a winner, and three straight times he ran it down somehow. How shocked were you? How mentally tiring is it playing someone like that, too?

JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Is tough because you try to make the winners all the time, every point, and the ball come to you every time, too. And if you don't serve really, really well, Simon plays a nice tennis, very fast and it's not easy to make a winner to him. But, anyways, the crowd help me a lot 4 5 in the fourth set especially, and I was really close to win that set. But not this year.

Yeah, Delpo, that was me. Screaming and stuff. We all tried to lift you because you looked really weary out there (not like your usual look) but Baby Daddy was too good. Eh, that’s okay. You'll always have next year and we’ll always have 48th and Lexington. Always.

[Photo(s) credit: Reuters]

HE SAID/SHE SAID: US Open Day 4

Q. Caroline Wozniacki has a high profile relationship with a golfer. You've kind of been there. Any advice for her on how to deal in the public eye in that way in that kind of a relationship?

ANA IVANOVIC: I think it's different for every person, because some people like to be in the middle of attention or public eye and others don't. It's just very personal how you like to deal with it. I think, you know, once you decide how you want to handle it you should go about it. Of course if you want to be more private, that's harder. If you want to be out there it's a little bit easier. It's, you know, about to find the balance and to accept these things.

Check out more 'HE SAID/SHE SAID' from the US Open Day 4 after the jump - click the header!

HE SAID/SHE SAID: US Open Day 3

Q. What were your emotions when you stepped onto the grounds here for the first time since having won the championship?

JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: It's very, very strong, you know, see the fans, the crowds. After the match the guy who was with the microphone, he say the only player who beat No. 1 No. 2 of player of the world in the Grand Slam. You know, it's an honor. And I want to say thank you to the fans, to the Argentinian people who come to see me play here. I know who was behind me in the right moments and I know who are in this moment, too.

Q. Is it hard to believe it was two years ago, or does it seem like it was two years ago?

JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Yeah, to be honest, I feel like the final was yesterday, because when I was walking around the street or when I talk with the fans, they say, I remember your final; you can repeat; you can win again. It's every, every day, every time say or talk about this tournament.

More 'HE SAID/SHE SAID' from US Open Day 3 after the jump - click the header y'all.

More struggles facing Venus Williams

The troublesome 2011 for Venus Williams took an even more unfortunate turn today when she withdrew from the US Open after revealing she has been suffering with Sjögren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disease where the bodies' white blood cells attack the glands that produce moisture. There is no cure.

She released the following statement:

"I'm really disappointed to have to withdraw from this year's US Open. I have been recently diagnosed with Sjögren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disease which is an ongoing medical condition that affects my energy level and causes fatigue and joint pain. I enjoyed playing my first match and wish I could continue but right now I am unable to. I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon."

The 7-time Grand Slammer was asked about the illness after winning her opening round match and described it as "energy sapping" but didn't give a name to it. Her next opponent, Sabine Lisicki, was told about the withdrawal 30 minutes before their second round match was to begin today. "I saw Venus and heard she practiced as usual. I saw her in match clothes so was fully prepared and really looking forward to the match. I love those big matches and playing against Venus - we had two amazing matches the last two meetings. But that's tennis. It's unfortunate and I hope she will be fine quick."

The Williams sisters have been notoriously private about injuries and illness over the years but have opened up lately, most notably with Serena's recent health scares. And while this news comes as a surprise to us (and some in her close knit circle) it has been an issue according to her mom and coach, Oracene Price, who told SI.com, "It's been something that's been worrisome for a long time."

At this point, no one knows when V will come back. Some are even questioning whether she will at all considering her age, litany of injuries and the unknowns surrounding the management of this disease. There's no doubt that if she tries, and my gut tells me she will, it'll be a tough road back. But as we've seen over the years, when it comes to the Williams sisters they love a good comeback.

[Photo(s) credit: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images]

HE SAID/SHE SAID: US Open Days 1 + 2

Yeah, Mardy. I feel the same way. A few of these questions are head-in-the-hand BAD. Who writes their stuff anyway? Oh wait. THEY DO.

P.S. I love you already, Ms. Keys. Not in a creepy, stalkeratti kinda way but in a "You get fashion and therefore you're awesome"  way. You knows what's up.

Check out 'HE SAID/SHE SAID' from Days 1 + 2 at the US Open after the jump!

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Roger Federer

I'm aware that Novak had to do something extremely special to get past me. Same thing for Rafa. I think we all had to do something very special to get past each other in the rankings. I think that's a good thing.

- Roger Federer during his conference call for the USTA promoting the US Open Series today

Never change, Fed. Or do. Whatevs.

[Photo(s) credit: AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL]

The dream catcher

"I always dreamed of winning this tournament. I think I’m still dreaming."

As I got up this morning I felt compelled to visit the ATP World Tour site to make sure what happened over the weekend really did happen. And there it was staring at me starkly in the face: Novak Djokovic is World No. 1 and the new Wimbledon champion.

It all happened so fast. Before his semifinal Nole was a baller dealing with a crushing blow from Roland Garros and an unproven record on the grass. But then he defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to officially call himself the top baller in the world and then two days later made his biggest statement by ousting defending champ Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 in the final. I suppose if he lost the final it still would've been an incredible achievement to reach the pinnacle of the sport but to consolidate his rise with the biggest crown in the sport was impressive. There was pressure in droves the last few days of the tourney but, aside from a third set lull in the final, he excelled.

I don't think it would be an understatement to say there's been a major shift in the men's game. The Serb broke the stranglehold Rafa and Roger Federer held on the top spot and at the All England Club. He's no longer the interloper but the one to beat. Nole's been the best baller this year but even he knew it wasn't enough to just say it - he needed to prove it. And he did just that.

Even for a fan and blogger like me, Wimbledon always held that special place. My first memories of watching tennis as a kid involved matches at the All England Club. I don't even think I knew of any other tourneys besides Wimby. As a matter fact, I don't think I even knew there were other matches besides the Centre Court finals aired on NBC (so long and farewell)! I may have also pretended to win a final and practiced my own moment of glory, but that's for another post.

So when ballers say Wimby is the where it all began for them I kinda get it. What I will never truly understand is what it must be like to eat the grass, as he did hilariously, after triumphing on tennis' biggest stage. Nole was still dumbfounded a day later:

"I still haven’t had enough time to realise the success that I had. I’m sure in the next couple of days I’ll start to think about how big this win is."

Give yourself some time to wake up from this dream, Nole, because when you do you'll realize this: IT'S REALLY BIG.

[Photo(s) credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images]

Steel blue

If anyone knows what it's like to let it fly in a first major final against a multiple Grand Slam champ it's Maria Sharapova. She was all but 17-years old and facing the daunting prospect of Serena Williams on the other side of the net at Wimbledon's Centre Court. But she had nothing to lose and played like it earning the big W at the Big W. The same could be said for Petra Kvitova who defeated Shrieka 6-3, 6-4 in her first major final to earn her maiden Grand Slam championship today.

The Czech seemed inspired while making Centre Court her own tennis playground. She played the aggressive game she wanted to play and hit the penetrating shots she needed to hit all with little fan fare and barely a shriek (what IS that noise?). But I suppose that comes with the territory of a baller whose game is tailor made for a certain surface. Think Justine Henin on clay, Kim Clijsters on hard court and Venus Williams on grass. The baller, surface and game just fit and one never questions the other.

According to Kvitz, she wasn't even feeling the pressure before entering the match:

I felt normal before the match. I was speaking with my coaches and we said I should play like it's a fourth round match. I was focused only on the point and the game and not on the final and the medal.

She may want to bottle that attitude and sell it on the WTA tour. Big Babe Bucks y'all.

Maybe we should've seen all of this coming. With those ice blue eyes and affectless expression, Kvitz possesses that steely look most champions own; her face never betrays the moment. You can't tell whether she's winning or not. Even when she looks to her box because she's desperate for support or joining their celebratory dance it's pretty much the same. During her post-match remarks, the 21-year old southpaw admitted she wasn't as calm as she may have seemed, though, saying, "I was nervous, because I thought I could win Wimbledon, but I just focused on each point."

Yup. That's exactly what champions do. Welcome to the club, girl.

Check out Nike Tennis' and Wilson's tributes to the new Wimbledon champ after the jump.