Wimbledon full of drunks 🍻

The match of the day, ended with the most controversial moment of the tournament so far. Elina Svitolina and Victoria Azarenka played out an epic third round match on centre court, with the Ukrainian coming back from being 2-6, 0-2 down and then 4-7 down in the match tiebreak to clinch victory.

Booed off court
As Svitolina dropped to the ground in joy, Azarenka calmly walked to the net, shook the umpires hand and gestured to the Ukrainian that there was no need to shake hands. She was meet with a chorus of boo’s before finally being booed heavily off court. Azarenka looked in disbelief at the crowd, before hitting her fists together in a ‘F You’ gesture and exiting the court. Somehow she became enemy number one, even though all she was doing was respecting Svitolina’s stance on not shaking any Russian or Belarusians’ hands during the tournament.

Too much Pimms
In her post match press conference, Azarenka tried to down play the situation, while wearing a pair of dark sunglasses 😎 she said, "It's probably been a lot of Pimm's through the day. It wasn't fair. What can I do? She doesn't want to shake hands with Russian, Belarusian people. I respected her decision"
She went on to say she wasn’t sure that many people understood what's going on. And that if people were just focussed on handshakes, then “it's a pretty drunk crowd”, booing at the end. Svitolina shared a similar view when asked about the shake-uation: "It would be good if the tennis authorities released a statement explaining the position of the Ukrainian players.”

Power of the people
Svitolina claims she has an extra motivation to playing right now since the invasion of her home country. Mrs Monfils, added there is a lot of pressure to try and bring some happiness for a nation with little right now. She exclaimed in her post match press conference that: "I feel responsibility, as well. So, if I'm going out to play this match against a Russian, Belarusian, I feel of course more pressure that I need to win. That's why it means a lot to get these kinds of wins. In my own way, to bring this small victory to Ukraine.”

Well, let’s hope her Wimbledon supporters can ease up on the Pimms and stay awake for her next match…

Swiatek back from the brink 😮‍💨

Top seed, Iga Swiatek came close to being knocked out in the 4th round. The Polish dynamo had to save match points against Switzerlands Belinda Bencic before going on to win 6-7(4), 7-6(2), 6-3.

Rising to the occasion
After losing the first set on a tie-break, the turning point came at 5-6 in the second. A combination of bad play and Bencic’s assertiveness had given the Swiss No 14 seed two break points. But in the moment when she needed it most Swiatek was able to raise her game; first finding a low forehand drive, then one off the backhand to pull to deuce before serving out for 6-6. After securing the second set in a tiebreak, it was business as usual as all the air seemed to deflate from Bencic having missed her chance.

Confidence booster
Even though Swiatek has been dominate on all other surfaces and struck fear into the rest of the WTA, grass has been her Achilles heal up until now. So despite it almost going the wrong way, the world no.1 felt she could take some real confidence going into the next round. In her press conference she said: “It wasn’t easy,” Swiatek said. “She had match point, right? I don’t know if that’s even happened in my career [to come back]. I’m really happy. I needed that win to believe in myself a bit more on this surface.”  

Who’s her next oppenent? Why Elina Svitolina. Thank god Swiatek is a big supporter of Ukraine. Handshakes all round 😃 …except for you Azarenka…

Wimbledon & homework 📚

Most 16 year olds would be in school right now or on summer break. But not Mirra Andreeva. The Russian teen sensation is about to play her 4th round match at Wimbledon with a chance to make it into the QFs in only her second Grand Slam.

Online learning the way
The 16 year old who said she looks up to both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal shared that she is trying to juggle both her tennis stardom and school at the same time. Currently, she is taking online classes in a Moscow school in between, training, matches and press commitments. Although the teenager said doing it online has made it easier to do some school, she quickly added “sometimes” admitting it is still a challenge for sure.

Just a normal teenager
Outside the court the Russia wants everyone to know that she is still only 16, and that she is a “normal teenager”, admitting that she is just a kid and will do things that kids do - like complaining a lot 😂. She also watches series, has to do school, but also likes to spend time alone when she can.

Next up she plays American Madison Keys, who is the inform grass player at the moment having won Eastbourne coming into the Championships.

Let’s hope the teenager passes her next exam.

Minis 🎾⏰

Andy and Jamie Murray, both weighed in on the Wimbledon curfew after Novak Djokovic and Hubert Hurkacz’s match was suspended due the ruling. The Serb was leading 2 sets to 1 before play was stopped.⏱️

Jess Pegula is richer than Cristiano Ronaldo, but says she would happily trade her family’s $6.7 billion fortune💰 for one Wimbledon title🏆 . Why doesn’t she just buy the damn thing? 😂

Daniil Medvedev says he wants to be remembered not for his tantrums and outbursts but for "the funny things" he does on the court. Aspirational Daniil… 😅

Elina Svitolina, won twice yesterday as on the same day of her victory over Azarenka, Adidas finally confirms sponsorship of the Ukrainian 🤝

"Is no one coming?" Apparently no one turned up to Ons Jabeur second round press conference, leaving the Tunisian to joke “everybody went for the Weeknd," - probably with Casper Ruud 😂

The shot everyone was talking about 🤯

Serving for the match at 5/4 and 30-15 up, Andrey Rublev left his opponent, the crowd and the internet stunned with a miraculous scrambling get to win the point. One point later, he secured his place in the quarterfinals. Here’s what Rublev thought about it all…

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