Wimbledon 2008: Day 1

London, England:

The groundskeepers at the historic “All England Lawn and Tennis Club” are poised to unveil the meticulously manicured grass tennis courts just in time for the open of Wimbledon 2008. The best tennis players in the world are in London to play in what most believe to be the preeminent championship in world tennis competition. One of the four grand slam titles, the Wimbledon Tourney is dripping with tradition, buzzing with nervous energy and full of athletic drama as 128 gentlemen and 128 ladies prepare to battle for the coveted Wimbledon Championship Trophy.

Favored by many to garner a record-tying sixth consecutive Wimbledon title, Roger Federer is nipping at the heels of his one-time tennis idol, Bjorn Borg, and the chance to write his name in the record book alongside the tennis great for most consecutive titles on the hallowed grass surface of London’s All England Lawn & Tennis Club. Though in order to accomplish this feat he must not only stay on top of his game, but vastly improve it. Rafael Nadal, the explosive and fiery Spaniard from small town Manecor, Mellorca has an all-court-game and has taken his dominance on clay and parlayed that by a dominating performance on grass on the Queens Court in London last week where he took the Artois Championship (just 7 days after winning the FO on clay).

Rafael Nadal, the world No.2, is not as good as he was last year (2007) when he took Roger Federer into a fifth set on Center Court at the Wimbledon final… He’s better… much better, in fact. Many believe Nadal outplayed Federer in the 2007 Wimbledon final and probably should have won. If not for an injury he sustained in the fourth set with what is described as (patella tendonitis), slowing down Nadal’s ability to move around the grass court, he would likely have stopped the Swiss juggernaut at 4 straight Wimbledon Titles. Once Federer saw that Nadal was injured, he played to the Spaniards weak side forcing Rafa to his backhand putting the knee in constant stress. Nadal never whimpered and never complained and in true form taught to him by his uncle and coach (Toni Nadal) he gave all the credit to his opponent, not hiding behind his injured, taped-up right knee. Playing through pain, Rafa still never cheated a single tennis fan taking Roger through 5 grueling sets, his body finally failed him as the pain robbed him of the court speed that normally frustrated the best of foes. Roger ultimately prevailed in 5 sets: 7-6(7), 4-6, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-2.

Rafael Nadal, the world No.2, is not as good as he was last year when he took Federer into a fifth set on center Court at Wimbledon final in 2007… he’s better… much better, in fact. Many believe Nadal outplayed Federer and probably should have won the 2007 Wimbledon match if not for an injury he sustained in the 4^th set when he was rolling with momentum and confidence taking the set 6-2. Nadal had Federer frustrated, irritated and the world No.1 looked exhausted even to the point where he began quarreling with the linesman and head referee about the accuracy of Hawkeye (the electronic lines system) asking that they turn off the video equipment. “Hawkeye is killing me” Federer argued. Shortly after that, Nadal injured his knee, forcing him to change the way he played the match. Roger Federer is too great to be for most players when they are 100% healthy. If he smells blood in the water, he will circle around you like a shark and gobble you up at his convenience. If Roger is going to win Wimbledon 2008, he will likely have to go through the Spaniard to get it done. With Federer’s lukewarm performances in 2008, Rafael Nadal would have to be considered “the man to beat”. Nadal has had a very good year thus far, perhaps his career best, making it to the Australian open final where he lost to No.3 Novak Djokavic in four sets, he has another French Open trophy to add to his three others and just one week after the clay-court championship at Roland-Garros, he won a championship on grass against Djokavic on Queens Court for the Artois championship, his first grass title. Nadal has been noted by many experts in tennis to have a much improved serve used as a weapon now, an attacking two hand backhand, and he has become more comfortable approaching the net with serve and volley points when needed. An improved Rafael Nadal spells bad news for everyone who is unlucky enough to find themselves in his path as he eyes this Wimbledon competition as HIS to lose. The mild mannered Rafael Nadal simply plays every point like it’s Game/Set/Match until it’s Game/Set/Match! Vamos Rafa!

Another up-and-coming young tennis threat to Roger Federer’s No.1 ranking and every tournament he enters is 21-year-old Serbian Novak Djokavic, the “Serb Superb”. Djokavic has risen to the top of tennis greats faster than any tennis player in decades. He truly has an all court game and has proven that he is effective on all surfaces as well. He feels most comfortable on the hard-court surface, using his rocket speed backhand and pin-point forehand to put away his opponents. Each and every tournament, win or lose, he come out of it stronger and more confident. He is a hard worker and his work is evident every time he loses a match, a set, and game… even a single point. He takes every loss personal and uses it as motivation to improve all the areas of his game. One of the young Serbs shortcomings is his immaturity as he sometimes speaks before he thinks… and his trash talking can cause him to lose focus. Honest to a fault, he has a gift for turning fans, critics and opponents against him for taunting and patronizing them. He mocked the fans at the 2007 US open for encouraging Jo-Wilfred Tsonga to fight and extend the match as Djokavic started to run away with the match, clapping his hand on the strings of his racket sarcastically. Most recently, he has criticized the British tennis youth for being “lazy” and “spoiled”. He’s even taken a few shots at the No.1 player in the world, Roger Federer. Djokavic has gone on record to say that he thinks Federer’s game has shown vulnerabilities and he has even said that Roger’s head and confidence may be lacking for the first time because of so many young talented players rising up to take his throne. If Djokavic doesn’t back up his mouth with his game, he could become the pariah of the Serbian tennis movement. However, if his next two years of tennis is anything like his last two years… we may be looking at Djokavic… the world No.1 before long. If this happens, he may become the man-child that John McEnroe was during his plight to greatness. Don’t be surprised if his tennis greatness draws boos and hisses throughout the tennis world. Djokavic doesn’t seem to care how he affects people as the number one goal is to become the world No.1. Rafael Nadal has already predicted that Novak Djokavic will be the world number one before the end of 2008. However, something tells me that Roger nor Rafael are going to hand this title to him without a grueling fight and they are two of the most vicious tennis Warriors the game has ever known. I suggest Djokavic keep his “inhaler” close by. Matches against world No.1 and No.2 last 5 Sets and 7 exhausting hours. Federer and Nadal are two supremely conditioned athletes…

Other contenders I think can compete for the Wimbledon Trophy:

Andy Roddick, USA – Great Serve and can be dangerous. Reached finals twice. Could challenge Nadal in Semis?

James Blake, USA – Serve and Volley. Game on grass getting better after buying home in London.

David Ferrer, Spain – Competitor and Fierce Spaniard like Nadal. Long rallies, wears his victims down.

Marcos Baghdatis, Cyprus – Good on Grass, moves well and plays the volley tight.

Lleyton Hewitt, Australia – Former No.1 and has one Wimbledon title. Understands grass surface.

Nikolai Davidenko Hates grass, but he is the world No.4 ranked

Dark Horses:

Richard Gasquet, France -

Mikhail Youzney, Russia -

Andy Murray, Scotland -

Mario Ancic, Croatia -

Radek Stepanek, Chech Rep -

Let the Games Begin! The heavy hitters are dawning the traditional Wimbledon Whites and nearly every big name in tennis has made it to London. For the fans? Chill the Strawberries & Cream… Warm the Stout… Toast the Crumpets… Put on the Shades and best hold tight to your Parasol… It’s “Breakfast at Wimbledon”!

Let the Games Begin! The heavy hitters are dawning the traditional Wimbledon Whites and nearly every big name in tennis has made it to London. For the fans? Chill the Strawberries & Cream… Warm the Tea and Stout… Toast the Crumpets… Put on the Shades and best hold tight to your Parasol… It’s “Breakfast at Wimbledon”! Could it more exciting?