Gen Z takeover 🇪🇸🇩🇰🇮🇹

Both Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune got through two tough 4th round matches to join Jannik Sinner in the final 8. Both Alcaraz (vs Berrettini) and Rune (vs Dimitrov) fought back from a set down to win in 4 sets.

Youngest quarterfinal line-up in Wimbledon history
By doing this, the youngsters made it the first time in Wimbledon history that three under 21 year olds have been in the quarterfinals together (Alcaraz 20, Rune 20, Sinner 21). It’s also the first Grand Slam quarter-final featuring two 20-year-olds since Juan Martin del Potro defeated Marin Cilic at the US Open in 2009.

Alcaraz hungry for more
Speaking after his match win, Alcaraz was keen to share his motivation to go further than he has before at the Championship. The young Spaniard spoke about his dream to make it right to the final: “I came in with that goal this year, to first get into the quarter-final, and now that I got it, I am looking for more – it’s my dream to play a final here, to win this title one day”
The 20 year old who became the youngest quarterfinalist since Nick Kyrgios, will play Rune next for a place in the semis.

Rune fearless
Rune, who had completed his 4th round match earlier, was already looking towards the battle ahead of him. The Dane has a 1-1 head-2-head record against the Spaniard. Speaking on the upcoming match-up and it being the youngest quarterfinal of the Championships the world no.6 said: “It shows that the young players are doing a great job…For me it’s cool. For him it’s also cool, I guess. To be able to play quarterfinal against a player that is your same age, at the top of the ranking, feels amazing.” 

Both Alcaraz and Rune have long history together, coming up through the juniors in the same age group. They first met at 11 years old at a tournament in Mallorca and even played doubles together at 13 at the famous Les Petits As.

Coming from the bottom, now they here….

Jannik Sinner will play against Roman Safiullin in the today’s first quarterfinal, followed by Djokovic and Rublev.

Breakthrough Eubanks 😎

Overnight sensation Christopher Eubanks stunned fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a five-set thriller to reach the quarter-finals. The American trailed two sets to one but powered back to win 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. A year ago his ranking was 153, now he’ll be in the 40s or better.

“It’s like I’m living the dream right now…This is absolutely insane.”

New love for grass
The 27 year old, described grass as the “stupidest” surface to play on just last month after a miserable run. But then his luck changed. He beat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in the final in Mallorca to win the first title of his career, before hitting his stride at the All England Club. He has now won nine consecutive matches on grass.

Making history
He also becomes only the 3rd Black American to reach the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. Eubanks once played Arthur Ashe in a documentary but now he’ll have a chance to repeat what Ashe did: win Wimbledon.

Next up? The human tennis Octopus, Daniil Medvedev 🐙

Day of retirements 🩹🩺

There was no worries about the Wimbledon curfew stopping play yesterday. For once the tournament finished on time without having to send the players and crowds packing early at 11pm. How come you ask? Well, the fourth round schedule was helped along with two retirements both on the men’s and women’s side.

Retirements all round
The first of the retirements came on Centre Court as no.3 seed and defending champion Elena Rybakina knocked the wind out of Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia after just 5 games. Rybakina broke in the fourth game but Brazilian Haddad Maia looked immediately uncomfortable with her lower back. After leaving the court in tears for a medical timeout, Haddad Maia came back to play one more game before conceding at 4-1. The retirement set up a mouth-watering clash and repeat of last years final with Rybakina vs Ons Jabeur.

The second retirement of the day came on the men’s side as Czech Jiri Lehecka had was forced to concede against Daniil Medvedev trailing 6-4, 6-2. To be honest, we too would concede too against the human brickwall if down 2 sets to love - it’s a long long way back from there. The match will be remembered more for a 10 minute break due to an elderly lady collapsing in the stands and a stray ball landing in a “drunk” Wimbledon fan’s Pimms - Azarenka was right!

Minis 🎾⏰

Tomas Berdych thinks only Novak Djokovic can stop himself from winning this year's Wimbledon title. The bookmakers agree.🤪

Davidovich Fokina opens up on that underarm serve that went horribly wrong. “I won’t regret anything” 😅

Nick Kyrgios might not be playing but still weighs in with his opinions on the challengers for Djokovic. 🤭

Roger Federer continues his concert tour. This time he meets the boss, Bruce Springsteen : Hey…"When the boss calls you answer." 📞

Wimbledon officials despite the pleas from players refuses to make announcements on Ukraine players’ non-handshake practice 🙈🙉🙊

Coaches Corner 🤓

Coach Karue plays for the first time on grass. How’d he go? He shares his experience and a few tips for playing on the surface that gives so much of us trouble.

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