Wimbledon 2008

Wimbledon: Time to sing the praises of Wimbledon’s rain

World No.1 Ana Ivanovic put it perfectly when singing the praises of Wimbledon recently – everything about this grand slam is charming.

From the strawberries and cream to sipping Pimm’s on Henman Hill – or Murray Mound as British fans turn their affection to Scottish upstart Andy as a replacement for their beloved gentleman Tim – it’s the traditions that make the tournament what it is.

Think five-time champion Roger Federer striding onto the court in his white monogrammed blazer, think endless queues for ice cream as the mercury barely bursts out of the teens and yes, think rain.

“Everything about Wimbledon makes it special,” Ivanovic said as she prepared for her assault on the second half of the French Open – Wimbledon double.

“It’s the grass, it’s playing in white, it’s the Sunday off in the middle of the tournament, it’s the rain. Yes, the rain is a great tradition at Wimbledon.”

All the players, even the clay courters, speak reverently of the tradition and “special” atmosphere of SW19.

For the two who hold aloft the winners’ trophies at the end of the fortnight, there will be no mistaking how much it means to them. By Valkerie Mangnall

Leading contenders in Wimbledon’s men’s draw

Penpix of the five leading contenders for the men’s singles title at Wimbledon:

ROGER FEDERER (SUI)

World ranking: 1
Birthdate: Aug 8, 1981
Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
Residence: Oberwil, Switzerland
Height: 185cm
Weight: 80kg
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1998
Career singles titles: 55
Grand Slam singles titles: 12
Career prize money: $US40,979,981 ($A43.48 million)
Best Wimbledon result: Champion (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)

Summary: Answered suggestions his confidence had taken a knock after a straight-sets loss to Rafael Nadal in the French Open final by claiming a fifth title at Halle, his traditional Wimbledon warm-up in Germany. His winning streak on grass stands at 59 as he bids for a record sixth consecutive crown at the All England Club. Players and bookmakers have him as the favourite – for good reason. This powerful all-court player has strong self-belief and no tangible weaknesses on this surface.

RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)
World ranking: 2
Birthdate: June 3, 1986
Birthplace: Manacor, Mallorca
Residence: Manacor, Mallorca
Height: 185cm
Weight: 85kg
Plays: Left-handed
Turned Pro: 2001
Career singles titles: 28
Grand Slam singles titles: 4
Career prize money: $US17,987,823 ($A19.08 million)
Best Wimbledon result: Runner-up (2006, 2007)

Summary: Had a near-flawless transition from clay to grass after winning his fourth straight French Open to claim the title at The Queen’s Club. His fightback after being one point away from a 4-0 deficit against Novak Djokovic to win the final in a tough two sets is testament to his tenacity. A two-time runner-up to Federer at Wimbledon, all indications are if Nadal is to go one better, this year presents his best chance yet.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
World ranking: 3
Birthdate: May 22, 1987
Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 187cm
weight: 80kg
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2003
Career singles titles: 10
Grand Slam singles titles: 1
Career prize money: 8,035,331 dollars
Best Wimbledon result: Semi-finalist (2007)

Summary: A worthy finalist at Queen’s, the young Serb has grown in confidence since winning his first grand slam title at the Australian Open in January. Showed real grit to win a five-hour quarter-final against Marcos Baghdatis at Wimbledon last year before retiring injured against Nadal in the semis. Had he beaten the clay-court king at the same stage of this year’s French Open, he would have become the world No. 2. Has a strong all-court game and is not afraid to come to the net.

ANDY RODDICK (USA)
World ranking: 6
Birthdate: Aug 30, 1982
Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska
Residence: Austin, Texas,
Height: 187cm
Weight: 88kg
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2000
Career singles titles: 25
Grand Slam singles titles: 1
Career prize money: $US14,069,938 ($A14.93 million)
Best Wimbledon result: Runner-up (2004, 2005)

Summary: Missed the French Open with a shoulder injury, but recovered to play at Queen’s, where he had limited court time when Mardy Fish and Andy Murray withdrew from matches because of injury. Lost to Nadal in the semi-finals. With a booming serve and big forehand, his achievements on grass are impressive – four titles at Queen’s and twice runner-up to Federer at Wimbledon.

DAVID NALBANDIAN (ARG)
World ranking: 7
Birthdate: Jan 1, 1982
Birthplace: Cordoba, Argentina
Residence: Cordoba, Argentina
Height: 180cm
Weight: 79kg
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2000
Career singles titles: 8
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $US8,893,109 ($A9.43 million)
Best Wimbledon result: Runner-up (2002)

Summary: Ranked No.7 in the world but has better grass-court credentials than some above him. Lost to Lleyton Hewitt in the final of his first Wimbledon appearance in 2002. Bounced back from a shock loss to little-known Frenchman Jeremy Chardy at Roland Garros to make his debut at Queen’s but was beaten convincingly in London by runner-up Djokovic in the semi-finals. An aggressive baseliner who can also volley with a reliable serve, even if it lacks the fire-power of Roddick or Djokovic.

Leading contenders in the Wimbledon women’s draw

Penpix of the five leading contenders for the women’s singles title at Wimbledon.

ANA IVANOVIC (SRB)
World ranking: 1
Date of Birth: Nov 6, 1987
Place of Birth: Belgrade, Serbia
Residence: Basel, Switzerland
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 69kg
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2003
Career singles titles: 7
Grand Slam singles title: 1
Career prize money: $US5,630,015 ($A5.97 million)
Best Wimbledon result: Semi-finalist (2007)

Summary: Has come a long way since crumbling under the pressure of playing her first grand slam final at the 2007 French Open, which she comprehensively lost to Justine Henin. Won an almost equally lop-sided final against Dinara Safina earlier this month, claiming the No.1 ranking en route. The 185cm baseliner reached the 2007 Wimbledon semi-finals, losing to Venus Williams, and reversed that result in the quarter-finals of this year’s Australian Open, where she finished runner-up. Withdrew from the Wimbledon warm-up at Eastbourne citing an abductor injury and mental fatigue, but the break is likely to have done more good than harm.

MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS)
World ranking: 3
Date of Birth: April 19, 1987
Place of Birth: Nyagan, Siberia, Russia
Residence: Bradenton, Florida
Height: 1.88m
Weight: 59 kg
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2001
Career singles titles: 19
Grand Slam singles title: 3
Career prize money: $US12,122,252 ($A12.86 million)
Best Wimbledon result: Champion (2004)

Summary: A three-time grand slam winner at just 21, the first at Wimbledon in 2004 and latest in Melbourne in January. Opted for a tournament-free build-up to the grass-court grand slam for the first time because of a shoulder problem. Lost the top ranking she inherited after Justine Henin’s retirement was upset by Safina in the French Open fourth round. Another tall baseliner, will be looking to bounce back from disappointment at the one major that has eluded her.

JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB)
World ranking: 2
Date of Birth: Feb 28, 1985
Place of Birth: Belgrade, Serbia
Residence: Belgrade, Serbia
Height: 1.77m
Weight: 59kg
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2000
Career singles titles: 6
Grand Slam singles title: 0
Career prize money: $US4,821,465 ($A5.12 million)
Best Wimbledon result: 4th rd (2006, 2007)

Summary: Would have become the World No.1 had she not capitulated against Ivanovic in the French Open semi-finals. Goes to Wimbledon under an injury cloud after hurting her arm at Roland Garros. Highly regarded for her fitness and versatility on every surface, has a good all-court game and her only real weakness is her serve.

SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)
World ranking: 6
Date of Birth: Sept 26, 1981
Place of Birth: Saginaw, Michigan
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 68kg
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1995
Career singles titles: 31
Grand Slam singles title: 8
Career prize money: $US19,266,700 ($A20.44 million)
Best Wimbledon result: Champion (2002, 2003)

Summary: Counts two Wimbledon titles among her eight majors, which include a career grand slam. Has had a disappointing first half of 2008 after entering the Australian Open as the defending champion but losing to Jankovic in the quarter-finals. Seeded fifth at the French Open but was knocked out in the third round by No.27 seed Katarina Srebotnik. Has what is regarded as the best serve around and always lifts for Wimbledon.

VENUS WILLIAMS (USA)
World ranking: 7
Date of Birth: June 17, 1980
Birthplace: Lynwood, California
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 72.5kg
Plays Right-handed
Turned Pro: October, 1994
Career Singles titles: 36
Grand Slam singles titles: 6
Prize Money: $US18,556,982 ($A19.69 million)
Best Wimbledon result: Champion (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007)

Summary: The defending champion has had an indifferent year but, like her sister, can always be relied upon to perform at the All England Club. The similarity does not end there. She is another strong server who also lost in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, in her case to Ivanovic, and, as the No.8 seed at Roland Garros, was bundled out by 26th-seeded Flavia Pennetta. With four Wimbledon crowns among her six grand slam titles, however, she should again be a contender.

Wimbledon Men’s Singles, All England Lawn Tennis Championships

Round 1

Wimbledon Women’s Singles Draw, All England Lawn Tennis Championships

Round 1