The Wimbledon Championship is the oldest and arguably the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. I must confess to being a selective republican. Wimbledon and Lords make me give thanks to the traditions of English culture.
There are no advertising hoardings at Wimbledon. The lack of overt advertising is Wimbledon’s strategy in superior marketing. Other sports would do well to study this.
For the first time since the Championships started in 1877, there will be no Englishman in the main draw of the men’s singles.
The Queen will visit for the first time in 33 years on the 24th of June and will have to console herself by cheering for the Scotsmen Jamie Baker, ranked 259 and Andy Murray, ranked 4.
The torture of trying to find an English tennis champion even extended to a Canadian, Greg Rusedski, swearing allegiance to the Queen. Sadly, that was not enough. Allegiance and talent can be like oil and water.
The winners of the singles receive one million pounds and a lifetime of fame.
For multiple winners like Roger Federer, it is not about the money. He would play for free to equal the seven titles won by Pete Sampras.
King Federer has been in every Wimbledon final since 2003. Like the tax collector, he is there every June. He has won them all except the one in 2008, which many consider the greatest tennis match ever played. Nadal won 9-7 in failing light but the glow from that match still illuminates the world of tennis.
Nadal has the credentials to win but Federer is not about to abdicate. Like Prince Charles, Nadal may have to wait a little longer… The battle lines are drawn and Nadal is single-minded in his stalking of the Swiss master.
He has mapped his course with a diligence not seen since Copernicus.
Federer, on the other hand, has not won a tournament since his Australian Open triumph in January. He is distracted and impatient.
He appears serene on the outside but is churning inside. History is beckoning and the pressure is more of his own expectations than Nadal with his explosive two-handed backhand.
The inscription on the men’s trophy reads: “The All England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Champion of the World.”
This then is Federer’s trophy to lose.
The early rounds will resemble a reconnoitering mission down the dusty mine strewn dirt roads in Afghanistan. Upsets lurk for the top seeds with every step and some may implode. The serve and the return of serve become the defining moments. Grass is not as forgiving as the red clay. The ball keeps low and the reaction time is fleeting. The fittest and the most adroit will survive.
The draw has been kind to the Aussies. Hewitt, who has played the Last Post so often, should make the third round meeting with Monfils. Andy Murray is in Nadal’s half of the draw. Potential men’s quarters could have Federer playing Davydenko and Djokovic against Roddick. Murray could play Verdasco and Nadal against Soderling.
Sam Stosur plays a qualifier in Kanepi and this is always difficult. The qualifier has nothing to lose and every match is a bonus. If Sam survives this she will go deep in the tournament. This time around she will not have to contend with former number ones.
Henin and Clistjers have a potential fourth round meet, and Jankovic may not make it past Wickmayer in the fourth. Serena has a date with Maria “Miss Piggy” Sharapova in the fourth. This will be the battle of the grunt and the squeal.
Stosur will possibly play Penetta in the fourth. Once we get to the quarters it will come down to the Grass Gods on the day, the lucky net cord, the variable bounce, and the knot in the stomach.
Stosur can win this if she learns to put away the wounded.
At the French against Schiavone she squandered a lead in the second set. In the Eastbourne semi she was up 3-0 in the second and lost her way. She cannot afford to be intoxicated by the grass.
Wimbledon also binds the Aussies and the English together. This is the tournament that Aussies queue for overnight. Just like the campers for the New Year’s fireworks.
Tomic will do well to survive his first round against Mardy Fish. Peter Luczak and Carsten Ball are queuing up in hope more than anything else.
They may have to console themselves with the 11,250 pounds first round losers’ prize money.
Jarmila Groth plays Voracova from Checkoslovakia, and Alicia Molik plays Kucova from Slovakia. I see them both progressing to the second round but that is when they will have to lift.
Casey Dellacqua should win her first round but will come up against Azarenka in the second and will need her leftie serve to be working. Rodionova, the Aussie, plays Keothavong the Pommie.
In this global village, nationalities are blurred and tennis becomes an individual pursuit. Countries and administrators will be quick to claim the victor as their own.
Remember “Aussie Kim” and “Jilted Jelena”?
Wimbledon and Lords. Australia and England. Monarchist and republican. Siblings estranged but eternally tied at the navel.
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