Roger Federer who win Wimbledon an amazing 8 times arguably one of the greatest players of all time, after an amazing career and winning 20 Grand slams and spending 310 weeks as the world number one, Roger Federer retired in 2022.
The King of Clay who won the French Open an amazing 14 times and my all time favourite player Rafael Nadal who won Wimbledon in 2008 which was one of the greatest finals of all time by dethroning the king Roger Federer and a second title followed in 2010.........after a glittering career Rafa won an amazing 22 grand slams and spending 209 weeks as the world number one. Rafa announced his retirement this year.
Former world number one Pete Sampras won Wimbledon an amazing 7 times he is tied with Novak Djokovic who has 7 titles as well after a glittering career and fourteen grand slam wins and 286 weeks as the world number one Pete Sampras finally retired in 2003.
And here is the man himself Novak Djokovic one of the greatest male tennis players of all time who has won an amazing 24 grand slams and spent 428 weeks as world number one..........with no immediate plans to retire as of yet.
Goran Ivanisevic after so many years of disappointment and injuries, he won the hearts of the tennis fans finally winning the title in 2001 after defeating Pat Rafter in one of the greatest finals of all time becoming the first wildcard to have done so, after being plagued with injuries throughout his career Goran Ivanisevic announced his retirement after his 2004 match with former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt. After his retirement he has had success in coaching players such as Novak Djokovic up until 2024.
Steffi Graf who won at Wimbeldon an amazing 7 times and the only player to achieve the golden slam in 1988 which is all 4 Grandslams in the calendar and an Olympic gold medal. Steffi Graf spent a total of 377 weeks as world number one a record for a female tennis player that still stands to this day ........Jana Novotna who won the hearts of tennis fans by crying on the Duchess of Kents shoulder during the 1993 presentation ceremony......after losing the final in 1997 to Martina Hingis who was the youngest ever grand slam winner at the age of 16 years old, after so many years of heartaches and injuries Jana Novotna finally won her only Wimbledon title in 1998 but retired in 1999. After her retirement she worked as commentator for the BBC from 2000 to 2002 from 2006 onwards she played in many of the Wimbledon invitation tournaments winning them an amazing 5 times. She sadly passed away in 2017 at the age of 49
Argubably one of the best rivalries in Women's tennis Martina Navratilova who won Wimbledon a record 9 times in her career, Chris Evert won the tournament 3 times her last win was in 1981, the two are really good friends since their retirement, Martina Navratilova had a rivalry with Steffi Graf their head to head is 9-9.
The Current French Open Champion and the reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz
Sir Andy Murray who won Wimbledon in 2013 ending a 77 year drought since Fred Perry's win in 1936 and won again in 2016 but retired this year after the Paris Olympics
Last but not least....................Boris Becker captured the hearts of tennis by becoming the youngest ever male player and unseeded player to win Wimbledon at the age of 17 he successfully defended his title in 1986 and won Wimbledon for the third time in 1989, he retired from the sport in 1999 he went on to be part of the commentary team for Wimbledon and went on to coach Novak Djokovic.
What Wimbledon would not be complete without Strawberries and Cream that costs an eye watering £2.50
C1: Champion Phil Campbell (3 wins, 270 points.)
C2: Challenger Ben Bradley.
DC: Susie Dent and Ranvir Singh.
RR: Rachel Riley.
OT: Other words or solutions.
R01: G C M I E A R N E
R02: B O A R S D E A T
R03: 75, 50, 6, 4, 7, 5. Target: 713.
TTT: HARMBOOT - " The beat asked the mirror to talk here."
R04: F L I E E D S N O
R05: T V S E U A T M O
R06: 100, 50, 10, 7, 4, 1. Target: 634.
R07: D H S A O U N R I
R08: Y G F O I E R N A
R09: 25, 50, 3, 2, 6, 3. Target: 579.
TTT: HAMATWOK - "The large cut of meat was given the axe."
R10: K S T A I L P A O
R11: S T M E U O D N E
R12: G W N I E O S B A
R13: H R W I I U N P E
R14: 75, 25, 9, 4, 9, 10. Target: 983.
R15: W A N D C R O C K (conundrum)
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Round 1: G C M I E A R N E
Phil: GRIMACE (7)
Ben: nearing
DC: CREAMING (8)
OT: AMERCING (8)
Score: 7–0 (max 8).
Our Champion comes up with a 7 Grimace.......even though Nearing is valid there is second N in this letters selection Susie says no.......but DC come up with an 8 Creaming
Round 2: B O A R S D E A T
Phil: BROADEST (8)
Ben: ROASTED (7)
DC: SEABOARD (8) ADSORBATE (18)
Score: 15–0 (max 26)
Another good round from our champion Phil.........our challenger must be kicking himself knowing that he add an extra letter to his 7 and get Broasted for 8...............over in DC they get to shine with 9 Adsorbate........you guessed it I spotted this one !
Round 3: 75, 50, 6, 4, 7, 5. Target: 713.
C1: 712. (4 + 6) × 75 − 50 + 7 + 5 (7)
C2: -
RR: 713. (75 + 50 − 5) × 6 − 7 (10)
Score: 22–0 (max 36)
Not the easiest of 2Ls our champion Phil does well to get one away sadly Ben doesn't even get close.......allowing Ms Riley to get a perfect 10
Teatime teaser: HARMBOOT -> BATHROOM
Round 4: F L I E E D S N O
Phil: FONDLES (7)
Ben: FIELDS (6)
DC: LESIONED (8) FELONIES (8)
OT: OLEFINES (8)
Score: 29–0 (max 44)
No comment.......let's move on shall we !
Round 5: T V S E U A T M O
Phil: OVATES (6)
Ben: MOATS (5)
DC: OUTSTEAM (8)
Score: 35–0 (max 52)
A good 6 from our champion Phil sadly Ben doesn't score in this round.........over in DC they get to shine with their 8 Outsteam
Round 6: 100, 50, 10, 7, 4, 1. Target: 634.
C1: 634. (100 − 10) × 7 + 4 (10)
C2: 636.
Score: 45–0 (max 62)
Nice and straightforward not too taxing for our champion
Round 7: D H S A O U N R I
Phil: DINOSAUR (8)
Ben: ROUNDS (6)
DC: ROUNDISH (8)
Score: 53–0 (max 70)
A Roarsome 8 from our champion Phil with Dinosaur...........DC managed to spot the other 8 with Roundish..........sadly Ben doesn't score with his 6 and needs to get some points on the board and avoid a whitewash
Just for you Susie......... Gunnersaurus Rex The Arsenal Mascot !
Last but not least............the hardest bot on Apterous..........our very own Apterous Rex
Round 8: Y G F O I E R N A
Phil: FEARING (7)
Ben: REGAIN (6)
DC: FINGERY (7) ORGANIFY (8)
OT: FORAYING (8)
Score: 60–0 (max 78)
Moving on...............
Round 9: 25, 50, 3, 2, 6, 3. Target: 579.
C1: 578. 6 × 2 × 50 − 25 + 3 (7)
C2: -
RR: 579. (((25 × 2) + 50 − 3) × 6 − 3 (10)
Score: 67–0 (max 88)
Another 2L stinker our champion does well to get 1 away.........sadly Ben doesn't even get close and hasn't scored any points he needs to otherwise it will be a whitewash and rounds are running out fast...............Ms Riley mops up and produces a perfect 10
Teatime teaser: HAMATWOK -> TOMAHAWK
Round 10: K S T A I L P A O
Phil: OKAPIS (6)
Ben: PLAITS (6)
DC: SPATIAL (7)
OT: KATIPOS (7) PAKATIS (7) PASKOLA (7) PATOLAS (7) POTAILS (7) SOLATIA (7) TOPSAIL (7)
Score: 73–6 (max 95)
At long last Ben gets some points on the board and avoids a whitewash
Round 11: S T M E U O D N E
Phil: DEMONS (6)
Ben: MODEST (6)
DC: DEMOUNTS (8) MUDSTONE (8)
OT: TEENDOMS (8) UNMODEST (8)
Score: 79–12 (max 103)
6s all round from champion and challenger.........a couple of 8s that were spotted by DC
Round 12: G W N I E O S B A
Phil: SEWING (6)
Ben: BASIN (5)
DC: BOINGS (6)
OT: BEGONIAS (8)
Score: 85–12 (max 111)
A blooming good 8 from Rachel Riley with begonias........I actually did spot this !
Round 13: H R W I I U N P E
Phil: UNRIPE (6)
Ben: UNRIPE (6)
DC: WHINIER (7)
Score: 91–18 (max 118)
Sixes all round from our Champion and Challenger..........over in DC they have a 7 with Whinier
Round 14: 75, 25, 9, 4, 9, 10. Target: 983.
C1: 986.
C2: 982. (75 + 25) × 100 − (9 + 9) (7)
RR: 982/984. (7)
Score: 91–25 (max 125)
A very useful 7 points for Ben and his only numbers solve of this game.........Rachel has said this is as good as it gets............ this cannot be solved perfectly........one either side is the best solution.
Round 15: W A N D C R O C K
C1 buzzes on 25.75 seconds to say CRACKDOWN which is correct.
Final Score : 101-25 (max 135 )
Another fine win for Phil, you have to feel sorry for Ben he was nervous and couldn't get going making it a one sided game, but he will be happy with his goody bag......join me again to see if Phil can get his 4th win and become the first Octo-champ of Series 90 ...........in the meantime it is bye for now !
