[ad_1]
WIMBLEDON, England – It's been 50 years since Wimbledon became the first Grand Slam tournament to win awards as a pioneer of the so-called "open era" of tennis. Eleven years ago, Wimbledon tied men and women by eliminating a gap that tournament officials had reduced, as Rod Laver collected 2,000 pounds (about $ 2,646 today) and Billie Jean King won 750 pounds ($ 992) for winning the men's and women's championships of 1968, respectively.
On Wednesday, the most responsible woman for Wimbledon's final win for price equality, Venus Williams, was still struggling – not in the private room of the All England Club or on the Times editorial page of London, where she presented a compelling argument in favor of equalizing wages – but on the No. 1 Court.
For a second time in three days, the ninth-seeded Williams s'. is beaten for a three-set victory, which is just as great as her field match is something to fear in what has become a women's playground.
In defeating Romania's Alexandra Dulgheru, 4-6, 6-0, 6-1, Williams advanced to the third round of the tournament while younger rivals and higher seeds tumbled all-around her. . Second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki was eliminated on Wednesday, eliminated by Russia's Ekaterina Makarova in three sets
"I think it helps if you're good, it's really a big plus," he said. Williams, 38, when asked what motivated her to continue to compete, is making her 21st appearance at Wimbledon, an event she has won five times (in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008). "I think I'm pretty good and I have a lot to give."
Williams will face Dutchman Kiki Bertens, 20th seeded, on Friday
[A rediscovery of and renewed appreciation for Wimbledon’s magic]
. seven Grand Slam titles, five Olympic medals, including four gold, four Summer Games, and more than $ 40 million in prizes.Out of the court, Williams was the "closest In a battle for equal pay that King had begun decades ago by orchestrating a The campaign that convinced Wimbledon officials to raise the women's salary of the tournament to 70% in 1972 in 1974.
"What she did was miraculous," King said about Williams, whom she admires deeply, in a telephone interview on Wednesday. King is pleased to report Williams' decision to fight for pay equity in 2005, first by speaking privately to All England Club officials
"She made them close their eyes and pretend that They were 9-year-old girls, and she led them to dream of becoming the best in their sport, "explained King." Then she had them stop, shut up and think about what they were doing. would feel like they were not getting as much as the other athletes. "
Williams did not move the play that day, but his remarks laid the groundwork for the Times of London column that She wrote on the eve of Wimbledon in 2006, in which she claimed that the tournament's pay structure told her, as well as all future female champions, that they were second-class citizens.
The following year, Wimbledon made the change, awarding its champions singles 2007, Williams and Roger Federer, 1.4 million dollars each.
Asked Wednesday about this aspect of his achievements in tennis, Williams said, "I think it's just being able to be part of something bigger than you." Tennis will continue long after I just want to see the sport increase – not just women or men – but tennis in general. "
[At Wimbledon, the kids are all right, but the grown-ups win the trophies]
She was less expansive about the ebb and flow of her victory over Dulgheru She had never faced it. She has been particularly circumspect since opening her 21st campaign at Wimbledon, revealing little about the state of her game or state of mind. At this point in her career – having first claimed the world's # 1 ranking in 2002, plummeted from the top 100 after developing a debilitating autoimmune disease in 2011, and now elevated to # 9 – she spends little time to analyze hot spots in a
Against Dulgheru on Wednesday, these difficult points included a lethargic departure and a first erratic service, which is his best weapon on the grass and his most important ally in the quest paramount to shorten the points.
on his right arm, Williams was broken in the first game of the match and never managed to pause in a 43 minute opening game. She returned the match in the second set, breaking early, intensifying her assault with net forays, and exploiting her impressive range to repel lobs and passive shots.
Williams nevertheless studied efficiency without spending extra effort on the field and felt little emotion during the sitting break after odd matches.
[Frances Tiafoe upsets 30th-seeded Fernando Verdasco in first round]
She unleashed her fastest service, at 118 mph, in the final match and ended the match
"As long as I'm leaving at the end with a win, it's the goal," he said. said Williams, proclaiming himself happy.
The first round of Wimbledon was tough on the seeded players, sending 21 of 64 packs, including former Wimbledon champions Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova. With Wednesday's setbacks, half of the first 10 women were eliminated, which improves the prospects of seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, who only needed 66 minutes to send Bulgarian qualification Viktoriya Tomova , 6-1, 6-4 and breaks in the third round.
Serena was awarded the No. 25 seed of the tournament in recognition of the fact that her ranking, which fell from the top 100 during maternity leave, does not reflect her ability. This protected him from facing a top seed in the first two rounds, but put him on the track for a third round with fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina. With Svitolina among the injured in the first round, only one seeded player, American Madison Keys (10th), remains in the quarter of Serena's draw.
"I feel I'm going in the right direction" handling Tomova. "Overall, it's certainly a little better than the first round."
[ad_2]
Source link
