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Enjoying the experience
Updated: Friday June 29, 2001 4:29 PM
Yesterday (Tuesday) I called the Shinobu Asagoe-Venus Williams match with Martina Navratilova and Mary Carillo. It's been such a great experience for me working with these two women who are both such accomplished analysts. I feel like a rookie on center stage hoping to one day achieve what both of these women have done in their broadcast careers. As the match began, Martina was able to relate to Mary and myself her own experiences as a defending Wimbledon champion going out on Centre Court to play her first match of the tournament. She felt that Venus was probably as nervous to go back out there as the title-holder as Asagoe was to face Venus right off. Two young American players that I foresee having a bright Grand Slam future include Meghann Shaughnessy and Andy Roddick. Although I don't think they'll make it to the finals this year, I do think they have the potential to have a successful future in tennis. Shaughnessy won her first match of the tournament yesterday playing Iva Majoli, a former French Open Champion. She played a very aggressive game showing the type of attitude that's needed to win on these grass courts -- strong serves and ground strokes. Shaughnessy is coming off of one of her best years yet. She's a very hard worker and with these courts you can't be a lazy player. Her hard work is definitely paying off. In her next match she'll face Marta Marrero. Roddick is one of the most exciting players to watch in my opinion. He's self-motivated, which is sparking his drive to succeed. His reaction to the atmosphere on Centre Court illustrates that Roddick thrives on playing and winning in the spotlight. Friday he'll face three-time Wimbledon finalist Goran Ivanisevic. As my final journal of the tournament, I want to close with a look ahead to the finals. I'm still betting on us seeing Sampras and Lleyton Hewitt on Centre Court for the men's final match. However if the court stays firm as it's been to this point, I would pick Andre Agassi making it over Hewitt. Both Agassi and Hewitt have two crucial weapons -- return of serve and speed. I think either of these challengers could take the crown off his highness Pete Sampras. Among the ladies, I think everyone expects to see a Jennifer Capriati vs. Venus Williams final. But I also think Serena Williams could be in there and then we'd see an all-Williams final. At that point, I don't really think one player has an edge over the other. When you make the finals, the title is up for grabs and whoever has the best game that day wins. Zina Garrison, who played 15 years on the WTA Tour, is an analyst on TNT's coverage of Wimbledon. To order her new book, Zina: My Life in Women's Tennis, click here.
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