Have Brits lost their chance to stop the Federer bandwagon ?
Strawberries, Cliff Richard and rain; it’s that time of the year again, where all of Henman Hill holds its breath in the hope that a Brit will finally win the Wimbledon men’s title for what would now be the first time in 70 years. This annual two week feast for tennis fans is soon to begin and below is a look at what this year’s tournament has to offer.
The undoubted favourite for the men’s title is Roger Federer. Having won the last three Wimbledon titles as well as the most recent Australian and US Opens, the Swiss has now firmly established himself as one of the all time greats. His record on grass is simply incredible and challengers such as Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick will have to be at the very top of their game to even get a look in.
Indeed the only person who has seriously challenged Federer’s dominance of late is Rafael Nadal. He has won six of his last seven matches against Federer, but it must be remembered that he is more of a clay court specialist and goes into Wimbledon with doubts over his fitness, having injured his shoulder at the recent Stella Artois Tournament.
As for British hopes, Henman’s last Wimbledon outing left a lot to be desired but reaching the last four of the Stella Artois tournament for the first time since 2003 gives hope that he may have a stronger tournament this year. Britain’s rising star, Andy Murray, made the tennis world sit up and take notice by winning his first ATP title in February, beating Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick along the way, but has since won only three of his last twelve matches.However the 19 year old will only get better and his progress this year will surely get the country chewing its collective fingernails.
Unlike the men, the women’s tournament will have no clear favourite. Justine Henin will be looking to build on her recent success at the French Open, although current holder Venus Williams will be keen to defend her third Wimbledon title as well as atone for a disastrous first round defeat at the Australian Open. Her sister and previous winner Serena Williams will be absent owing to a knee injury. Belgian Kim Clijsters and Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, winners of the most recent US and Australian Open’s respectively, will also be staking their claim.
Thus as the two week tournament begins, expect drama, upsets and an undoubtedly worthy winner. But with Federer being so dominant in the men’s and no female British tennis star of note, expect champagne to only be toasted with strawberries rather than for a British victory.
