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<\/a>Maria Bueno at Wimbledon 2015 [Photo by David Musgrove]<\/p><\/div>Maria Bueno gives her thoughts on the second week of The 2015 Championships at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year, Wimbledon seemed to be rather special, perhaps because the players got an extra week to get used to the grass courts or maybe because of the weather! It only rained a bit on the final day!,\u201d she commented.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had so many close matches and lots of upsets, which always makes Wimbledon all the more interesting.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end it was the two world number ones who came through to take the titles but both [Novak] Djokovic and Serena [Williams] had to fight hard to do so.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tNovak Djokovic (SRB) is the Champion at Wimbledon 2015 after defeating Roger Federer (SUI) 7-6(1) 6-7(10) 6-4 6-3 [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tLadies’ Singles Champion Serena Williams defeated Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 6-4 6-4 [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\u201cDjokovic pretty much sailed through the draw without dropping a set until he met Kevin Anderson when he stared at defeat. He lost the first two sets on tiebreaks, managed to win the third quite easily and then was lucky to win the fourth to level when the match was suspended due to it getting dark.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is very hard to have to come back the next day to play just one set because it can go very wrong, especially against a big server like Anderson, who has been improving every week on the grass. He was a real threat but Djokovic battled as only he seems able to do, and managed to come through 7-5 in the fifth to breath again.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter that he took care of Marin Cilic in straight sets and although he had a very tough opener against [Richard] Gasquet, he won that too in three to make the final.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough Andy Murray dropped sets here and there, to [Andreas] Seppi and [Ivo] Karlovic, he looked in really good form.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoger [Federer] also cruised through the draw despite dropping a set to [Samuel] Groth and when he met Murray, he played magical tennis. I have never seen anything like it – serving around 80% first serves and giving Murray very little chance.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tRoger Federer (SUI) was in imperious form defeating Andy Murray (GBR) 5-7 5-7 6-4 in the semi-finals [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tAndy Murray during the semi final against Federer [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\u201cMurray played well, particularly in the rallies, but Federer was unbeatable that day and Andy found it difficult to return his serve. Roger won in three tight sets and we all thought if he could play like that in the final, he would surely win his eighth Wimbledon singles title.<\/p>\n
\u201cMurray obviously was very disappointed but he shouldn\u2019t be because he played one of the best players of all time on a day when he was almost perfect. Andy tried everything he could to stop Roger but there was no way that day. That\u2019s how it goes. He now needs to regroup quickly to lead Great Britain in the Davis Cup against France, which starts on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs for the men\u2019s final, perhaps Roger peaked too early or maybe Dokovic didn\u2019t let him play to that same level but Roger\u2019s magic wasn\u2019t totally working. He broke in the first set and lost it and somehow managed to win the second set in the tiebreak, but he never really looked like he could overcome Djokovic, who again proved why he is the best in the world right now.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe deserved to win, and he overcame not only Federer but a Centre Court that was cheering for his opponent throughout. That\u2019s not easy! The noise was quite unbelievable at times.”<\/p>\n
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tMaria Sharapova (RUS) lost to Serena Williams (USA) 6-2 6-4 in her semi-final [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tGarbine Muguruza (ESP) defeated Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 6-2 3-6 6-3 in her semi-final [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\u201cSerena is a bit like that too. The crowd were so behind the newcomer Garbine Muguruza, who was so clearly the underdog, that it got a bit embarrassing, but Serena fights for every point whatever is thrown at her and sometimes it is not pretty but it is awesome.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat Muguruza reached the final at all was the surprise of the tournament. She came through the lower half of the draw that was a little light on the big names, but she did beat [Caroline] Wozniacki and [Agnieszka] Radwanska on her way.<\/p>\n
\u201cSerena was lucky to escape against Heather Watson and then had to play her sister, Venus, and dropped the first set to [Victoria] Azarenka before winning through.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe certainly has Maria Sharapova\u2019s number because once again she posed little threat on her way to the final.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe final was pretty one-sided and we never really saw what Muguruza can do but I think she is going to prove a force in women\u2019s tennis and that can only be good for the game!<\/p>\n
\u201cAs for Serena, she won her 6th Wimbledon and 21st singles Grand Slam title and only needs the US Open now to equal Steffi Graf\u2019s record and record a calendar Grand Slam. That is an amazing achievement, particularly at the age of 33. She seems to be getting better with age rather than slowing down!<\/p>\n
\u201cI was privileged to be in the Royal Box again that day, watching the women\u2019s final, and was delighted to meet two of the great characters from Downton Abbey, one of my favourite shows, Dame Maggie Smith – the Dowager Duchess – and Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Crawley. We had great fun together and I was thrilled to hear that Maggie was a fan of mine and followed my career way back when! I\u2019ve certainly enjoyed watching her illustrious career!”<\/p>\n
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tMaria Bueno with Dame Maggie Smith…\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\t… and with Michelle Dockery\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\u201cI also had the chance to talk about the Rio Olympics to Jacques Rogge, who retired as President of the International Olympic Committee a couple of years ago. He had lots of questions so I told him about my trip to the Organising Committee a few weeks back and was able to tell him a little about how the arrangements are going. He felt sure it will all go well because the soccer World Cup was a great success and Brazil, being such a large country, everyone is bound to get behind the Olympics next year.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tCount and Countess Jacques Rogge with Maria Bueno in the Royal Box on Ladies Final Day, Wimbledon 2015\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
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![\"Maria](\"http:\/\/www.mariabueno.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/IMG_4093-e1436804973750-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tMaria Bueno in the grounds at Wimbledon\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\u201cGetting back to the tennis, it is amazing that [Martina] Hingis won both the ladies doubles and mixed titles some 17 years after winning her first title at Wimbledon, the junior girls singles [in 1994]!<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is interesting to see how some juniors successfully transition to the senior game and some even manage to win both titles at Wimbledon. That is true of Pat Cash, Stefan Edberg, Roger Federer, Hingis and Amelie Mauresmo.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast night [Sunday] was the Champions Dinner, which this year was at the Guildhall in London and what an amazing place that is! I have a passion for castles and it was like stepping into one, with stonework, pillars and courtyards\u2026 fabulous!<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/www.mariabueno.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Great-Hall-at-Guildhall-1024x532.jpg\")
<\/a>The magnificent Great Hall at the Guildhall in London, venue for the Championships Dinner concluding Wimbledon 2015<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u201cThe winner of the Junior Boys was there – a 6\u2019 10\u201d tall American called Reilly Opelka who, I am told, has an amazing serve as one would expect from such a height! He certainly towered over all of us\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a lovely occasion that was made special by the two champions who actually danced together on the stage in tribute to the old days when we used to open the dancing at the Wimbledon Ball. They haven\u2019t done that for years but in my day, we did, and I got to dance with Alex Olmedo, Neil Fraser and Roy Emerson\u2026 I remember that Alex and I danced Cha Cha Cha!<\/p>\n
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tThe Great Hall\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tChampions Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic dance!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tGuarding the bottles, former AELTC Chairman Tim Philips and Maria Bueno\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tMaria Bueno with host Ian Hewitt\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\u201cIt was a very memorable evening and an even more memorable Wimbledon! Chairman Phillip Brook and his wife, Gill, plus all the Committee, the Referee and staff are all to be congratulated for putting on such a good show and looking after us all so well.\u201d<\/p>\n
- \n\t\t\t\tMaria Bueno with host Ian Hewitt\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tGuarding the bottles, former AELTC Chairman Tim Philips and Maria Bueno\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tChampions Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic dance!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tThe Great Hall\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tMaria Bueno in the grounds at Wimbledon\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tCount and Countess Jacques Rogge with Maria Bueno in the Royal Box on Ladies Final Day, Wimbledon 2015\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\t… and with Michelle Dockery\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tMaria Bueno with Dame Maggie Smith…\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tGarbine Muguruza (ESP) defeated Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 6-2 3-6 6-3 in her semi-final [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tMaria Sharapova (RUS) lost to Serena Williams (USA) 6-2 6-4 in her semi-final [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tAndy Murray during the semi final against Federer [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tRoger Federer (SUI) was in imperious form defeating Andy Murray (GBR) 5-7 5-7 6-4 in the semi-finals [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tLadies’ Singles Champion Serena Williams defeated Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 6-4 6-4 [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tNovak Djokovic (SRB) is the Champion at Wimbledon 2015 after defeating Roger Federer (SUI) 7-6(1) 6-7(10) 6-4 6-3 [Photo by David Musgrove]\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>