New Wimbledon Pics and Best Video Clips

Many readers of The Way Things Turn have at least a passing interest in professional tennis, and a few of you are as obsessed as I am with all things related to the sport. That's my basic rationale for focusing several recent blog entries on tennis, and for those who couldn't care less about the sport, that's my apology for this post. But come on people, it's Wimbledon!

Two weeks ago we featured some unusually casual pre-Wimbledon photos of favorites like Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal, including this picture of the Spaniard, which is actually a wax statue from Madame Tussaud's.

Then, we moved on to some interesting video clips from the Wimbledon fortnight.

Did you see the wicked 118-mph Mardy Fish serve that hit a line judge in the face, or the playful antics of Viktor Troicki, who took a fan's mid-match advice on how to win a point off Djokovic?

And don't forget - with Federer still on track to win his seventh Wimbledon title, a dead man may win $150K for charity with a nearly decade-old wager.

With finals weekend fast approaching, I couldn't resist the urge to share a few more incredible pictures. Some of the most compelling photos from the last week at Wimbledon are below. You can see 60 additional pics here.

The biggest shocker of the week - Rafael Nadal, a finalist from last year, was knocked out in the second round by 100th ranked Czech Lukas Rosol.

Photo: Reuters / Toby Melville

Andy Murray slips on the court during a winning effort. The Scot advances to the semi-finals on Friday and hopes to be the first Brit to win Wimbledon since 1936.

Photo: Reuters / Dylan Martinez

Even with a helping hand from a friendly ball boy, American Mardy Fish could not overcome the power of Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Photo: Reuters / Dylan Martinez

After his defeat of Fish in the fourth round, a triumphant Tsonga took a flying leap ahead to the quarterfinals.

Photo: Reuters / Suzanne Plunkett

Last year's Ladies' Champion Petra Kvitova failed to defend her title, falling in the quarterfinals to a resurgent Serena Williams.

Photo: Reuters / Toby Melville

 With a win on Thursday over Vika Azarenka, Serena advances to the finals on Saturday where she faces first-time Grand Slam finalist Agnieszka Radwanska.

Photo: Reuters / Stefan Wermuth

Wimbledon Line Judge Takes Ball In the Face

The second highest ranked American tennis player Mardy Fish inadvertently sent a 118 mph serve directly into the face of a line judge at Wimbledon this week.

I loved how top-ranked French player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga reacted to the unfortunate ball strike, immediately rushing over to see if the judge was okay.

                    

Troicki Takes Fan's Advice at Wimbledon, Wins Point Against Djokovic

Serbian tennis player Viktor Troicki struggled mightily today in his fourth round Wimbledon match against his countryman, world #1 Novak Djokovic.

Early in the third set when Troicki was trying to close out a service game, a fan yelled some advice to him - "Go to his backhand, Viktor."

Troicki initially responded by comically offering his racquet to the fan, essentially inviting him on to the court to demonstrate his expertise. He then took the fan's advice, served out wide to Djokovic's backhand, and won the point and his service game. Troicki charmingly gave the fan his due after the point.

I love that in tennis there is room for a smile and a laugh, even during a tense moment in an important match. Well played, Viktor.

Dead Man's Bet and Federer Win At Wimbledon Will Earn $155K For Charity

Fed at Wimbledon 2012
Photo: Tim Hales / AP

Back in 2003 a British gambler wagered nearly $2500 that Roger Federer would win seven Wimbledon Championships by the year 2019.

Nick Newlife, who placed his bet at 66:1 odds, stood to win $155,000 if the Swiss tennis player could match Pete Sampras' record seven Wimbledon singles titles.

Nine years later, the wager is still in play as Federer, who has now won the Wimbledon championship six times, is in hot pursuit of his seventh title. Newlife, however, will not collect his winnings, even if Federer wins. Newlife died in 2009. 

Before his death, the British gambler and bachelor stipulated in his will that any earnings from the wager be donated to Oxfam, an international charity which fights poverty and works to ensure basic human rights for people of all nations.

It's not likely that the wager is motivating Federer's stellar early round play, but it certainly gives me one one more reason to pull for the all-time tennis great.

Tennis Extra - Wimbledon Pics and 2012 Draws

Singles draws were released today for both the Men's and Ladies' competition at Wimbledon that begins Monday at the All England Club.

Here are a few unique photos I found to get you in the mood for two of the best tennis weeks of the year. Click any pic to enlarge.

Welcome to Wimbledon
Photo: Clive Rose / Getty Images Europe

Under London summer skies
Photo: Dan Istitene / Getty Images Europe

Painting the lines
Photo: Wimbledon / Facebook Page

Novak Djokovic and team - returning to a steady grass diet
Photo: Nole / Twitter Feed

Wax figure of Rafael Nadal. Really.
Photo: Madame Tussaud's / London

Roger Federer shopping in London
Photo: Pool / Getty Images

British #1 Andy Murray, trying to relax on the grounds
Photo: Tom Dulat / Getty Images Europe

American #1 John Isner, at end of his epic three-day 2010
match. Note the scoreboard (he won 70-68 in the fifth set).
Photo: Pool / Getty Images

ESPN's Live Wimbledon Coverage Starts On Monday (And NBC Can Suck It)

I respect NBC's coverage of professional tennis exactly as much as NBC respects tennis fans - which is to say, very little.

Consequently, it was with great joy that I read how ESPN will take over complete Wimbledon coverage this year, and how the network is fully committed to broadcasting live matches.

The most recent trouble between tennis fans and NBC Sports started last summer when the network opted to show a couple of important tennis matches from major tournaments on a several hour tape delay. Avid tennis watchers raised a big stink about the shoddy network coverage (inasmuch as fans of a relatively minor sport can raise a big stink), and moved on, hoping that NBC and tournament executives had learned their lessons.

Sadly, NBC's coverage of last month's French Open served only to prove that the clamor of angry fans mattered little. During the Open, which is one of the four "major" events in tennis, NBC once again dropped the ball repeatedly, disappointing tennis fans by either cutting coverage short or broadcasting critical matches on tape delay.

First, NBC interrupted the very end of a significant ladies match upset-in-the-making (Kanepi vs Wozniacki at 5-2 in the third set) because the broadcast reached the end of its allotted coverage time. Imagine - a network cutting away from a playoff baseball game in the top of the 9th because it was time for Judge Joe Brown (who I'm sure is a competent jurist, but come on, it can wait).