Wimbledon Preview

6/22/08 By Lauren Johnston

Wimbledon Preview

By Max Dickstein

mdickstein@am-ny.com

With the first round of the most prestigious Grand Slam tennis event of the year starting today, the current world rankings are a good guide to the favorites to win the men’s and women’s singles titles at Wimbledon this year.

MEN

(1) Roger Federer, Switzerland

2008: 38-8 record, 2 titles

Career on grass: 75-11 (10 titles)

Wimbledon best: winner, 2003-07

Despite his 59-match winning streak on grass, the five-time defending Wimbledon champion is a slight underdog at a tournament he has owned. Afflicted with mononucleosis to start the year, Federer has played relatively sluggish and uninspired tennis throughout the year — most recently in a humbling 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 loss in the French Open final against Nadal. Federer’s bid to equal William Renshaw (1881-86) with a sixth straight Wimbledon title comes at a difficult juncture for owner of 12 major titles — the mental scars from a season of unbecoming results could linger.

(2) Rafael Nadal, Spain

2008: 37-7, 5 titles

Career on grass: 24-7 (1 title)

Wimbledon best: runner-up, 2006-07

Nadal has never been in better form entering Wimbledon, where he has twice been an impressive runner-up to Federer. He’s won an ATP-best five titles this year, including his first on grass at Queen’s Club in London last week. Just as important, Nadal holds an 11-6 record in matches against Federer, giving him an increasingly decisive mental edge against the top-ranked Swiss.

(3) Novak Djokovic, Serbia

2008: 28-6, 3 titles

Career on grass: 16-6 (0 titles)

Wimbledon best: semifinals, 2007

The big-serving Australian Open champion would be cleaning up at Grand Slams if not for the two players ahead of him. Federer is more skilled, Nadal is fitter, and both are more mobile and mentally tough than the likeable Serb. The 21-year-old won't get past Nadal in the semifinal of this championship.

Darkhorse

No. 6 Andy Roddick is a two-time finalist (2004, 2005) who is returning from injury. His indomitable first serve could fuel a surprise run.

WOMEN

(1) Ana Ivanovic, Serbia

2008: 27-6 (2 titles)

Career on grass: 13-6 (0 titles)

Wimbledon best: semifinals, 2007

The French Open champion’s hard-hitting, rugged game has not translated into a win on grass so far. Her confidence may be high, but her hold on the top ranking must be considered fragile at this point.

(2) Maria Sharapova, Russia

2008: 30-3 (3 titles)

Career on grass: 46-7 (3 titles)

Wimbledon best: winner, 2004

When Sharapova won Wimbledon at age 17, there was speculation that she could diversify her power game and dominate women’s tennis for years. Instead, Sharapova has had elite but inconsistent results since then. She is at once vulnerable and dangerous.

(3) Jelena Jankovic, Serbia

2008: 33-10 (1 title)

Career on grass: 26-12 (1 title)

Wimbledon best: round of 16, 2007

With so many top WTA players able to crumble and give away a match on a dime, the quick and powerful Jankovic is our pick for a major breakthrough on grass.

Darkhorse

Defending and four-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams and her sister Serena (a two-time winner) are dangerous on the grass and lurk at No. 7 and No. 6, respectively.
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