Defeated Peer upbeat over future prospects
THE BEAUTY of Israeli sportsmen andwomen is that they always look on the bright side of life. They tell it how it is. After all, it’s sport – not life or death.
In certain countries there would be a major fall-out for continued failure at Wimbledon. But not this year. Sela is about to make the big dip into marriage, while Peer is starting to think about life after tennis. “I’d like to do something with food,” she told me in one of the interview rooms at Wimbledon. “I don’t know what exactly. Not cooking, but maybe be the face of a restaurant.”
Peer has been through the sporting doldrums over the past couple of years. Having reached the fourth round in 2008, it was good to see her fighting all the way. She is now looking at the bigger picture – realising what an honour it is to be an elite sportsperson.
The problem is that the Israelis don’t play or train on grass courts all that often and if the draw is unkind, as it was this year, the chances are that they won’t get very far. They are hamstrung.
Speaking of tight limbs, I’d like to reflect briefly on the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run. I was delighted as much as I was relieved that my body held up and I completed the 10k, 5k and 1k - back-to-back, and in temperatures in excess of 26 degrees. I have to say my energy levels surpassed expectation.
The event was a resounding success and Maccabi GB deserve huge credit for bringing the community and 43 organisations together. I now know Copthall like the back of my hand and congratulate Saracens’s Allianz Stadium for playing the role of host to perfection.
It’s a shame that Luis Suarez isn’t Jewish, otherwise we could’ve splashed with a big backpage headline of ‘Canine horror’. Email dcaro@thejc.com and/or follow Danny on Twitter:@djcaro
TENNIS Shahar Peer insists she is happier than ever despite tumbling out against Caroline Wozniacki.
“Winning isn’t everything,” said Peer, who succumbed 6-3, 6-1 in a rainaffected first-round match against the 19th seeded German.
“I’ve pushed myself hard to get fitter this year and played really well in the first set. I had chances in every game, but my standards dropped when play restarted.
“I’ve had some ups and down this year, but this is the first time I’ve felt comfortable on grass. I’ve realised that I need to be more aggressive to compete against the top girls and can be proud of my performance.
“I’m trying to be a better person and I came away with positive energy. I almost retired last year and I don’t know when t hat moment will come, so it’s not all about winning for me any more.” Wozniacki credited Peer for being “a very good competitor who never gives up”.
Julia Glushko was outclassed 6-2, 6-1 in less than an hour on Centre Court against last year’s losing finalist Sabine Lisicki.
In the main draw for the first time, the Israeli battled bravely against the powerful Lisicki, only to be let down by a series of unforced errors.
She punched the air in delight after winning the third match, but was broken frequently against a tenacious opponent who teased her with a series of lobs and drop-shots.
Camila Giorgi was the only Jewish player to survive the first round. She overcame Alexandra Cadantu to set up a meeting against Alison Riske.
“I made more mistakes in the second set, but then I started to play like the first set again and recovered to win the match,” said Giorgi after her 6-1, 7-6 victory.
“I like grass — it’s my favourite surface. I’m playing well so I’m feeling confident for the next round.”
I feel good and came away with positive energy
Shahar Peer lost to Caroline Wozniacki (Den) 3-6, 0-6 Julia Glushko lost to Sabine Lisicki (Ger) 6-2, 6-1