“Pressure is privilege.” This is the quote imprinted on the tunnel of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the biggest tennis court in the world, when tennis players are about to play some of the most important matches of their careers. As the sports editor at The Tribune at McGill, I had the privilege of interviewing our first freshman starting quarterback in ten years. When I asked if he felt the pressure, he quoted Arthur Ashe. Although it is impossible to compare the pressure of too much schoolwork to the pressure Aryna Sabalenka, the former world number one, and Elena Rybakina, the current world number one, face when they walk out into the biggest stadium in the world, I think it is important to remember how privileged we are to witness and experience such meaningful moments.
Here is what happened in the last week of the last major of the year:
So much good tennis. Although we had some of the latest finishes the tournament has ever seen, and some of the best tennis is played at 3 a.m., I still must pause to acknowledge how high the quality has been this year. We saw a player ranked outside of the world’s top 300, Zheng Qinwen, come back twice from 0-5 down to beat Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek consecutively. We witnessed Rybakina show the world why she should be the world number one by beating Coco Gauff, the home favourite, and Sabalenka, the former world number one, in two incredible matches. And to think she couldn’t walk two weeks ago when she last stepped on the court… Athletes are incredible.
We also experienced the heartbreak of Learner Tien, who lost his first five-set match to Karen Khachanov, a semifinal battle of two Americans: Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelson. This match defined friendship in competitive sports. After the match, Tiafoe paused his celebration and lent his shoulder to Michelsen, as Michelsen collapsed into his arms. Man, Alcaraz is wonderful. Despite losing in a five-set epic against Shelton and puking on court, he walked off with the biggest smile on his face, reminding us he is so back. As I am writing this, the men’s final has yet to begin, but I just have one ask:
Dear Zverev,
Please stop bouncing the ball.
Love,
The Service Game
(Note: Hi. This is me after the men’s final. So… my prediction did NOT age well… feel free to skip the last three minutes of this show.)
Links mentioned:
Qinwen Zheng vs. Iga Swiatek:
Elena Rybakina vs. Coco Gauff:
Elena Rybakina vs. Aryna Sabalenka:
Karen Khachanov vs. Learner Tien:
Frances Tiafoe vs. Alex Michelsen:
Carlos Alcaraz vs. Ben Shelton:
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