Once dominated by Roger Federer, Wimbledon is now open territory for the Big Four of men’s tennis. Sean Sequeira predicts if Federer will be the champion once again or if there will be a new king to claim the trophy when they take the green lawns between June 24 and July 7
GENTLEMEN’S SINGLES
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Current ATP Ranking: 1
Best in Wimbledon: Won (2011)
Career titles on grass: 1
ATP titles won in past year: 6
Finals lost in the past year: 4
YI seeding for Wimbledon: 1
Ace verdict: The World No. 1 is in excellent form coming into the tournament. He is likely to pick up maximum points by lifting the trophy this year.
RAFAEL NADAL
Current ATP Ranking: 5
Best in Wimbledon: Won (2008, 2010)
Career titles on grass: 3
ATP titles won in the past year: 6
Finals lost in past year: 1
YI seeding for Wimbledon: 4
Ace verdict: The King of Clay has dropped form and may bow out of Wimbledon at the semi-final stage this year.
ROGER FEDERER
Current ATP Ranking: 3
Best in Wimbledon: Won (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012)
Career titles on grass: 12
ATP titles won in the past year: 2
Finals lost in past year: 2
YI seeding for Wimbledon: 2
Ace verdict: Federer’s domination has faded. Though he did win last year, he is beyond his prime.
SEEDING
A seed is a preliminary ran k given to a player which predicts his/her final position at the end of the tournament. For example, a player seeded at 1st position is expected to win the tournament while a player seeded 3rd or 4th is expected to reach as far as the semi-final round.
Seeding also helps make sure that the top players do not face each other in the early rounds of the tournament to make sure that the final is contended by the best players.
WIMBLEDON TRADITIONS
On the tennis circuit, Wimbledon is known for being the Grand Slam that insists on sticking to its traditions and imposing it upon both the players and spectators a like. The players are required to follow a strict dress code of only white while the spectators are served strawberry and cream with tea. There is an additional requirement to offer Royal Patron age if any members of the British Royal Family are in attendance at the courts of
Wimbledon.
ANDY MURRAY
Current ATP Ranking: 2
Best in Wimbledon: Finals (2012)
Career titles on grass: 3
ATP titles won in past year: 3
Finals lost in the past year: 3
YI seeding for Wimbledon: 3
Ace verdict: The only notable British player on the circuit, Murray’s recurring injury problems will restrict his progress, as always.
LADIES’ SINGLES
SERENA WILLIAMS
Current WTA Ranking: 1
Best in Wimbledon: Won (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012)
Career titles on grass: 5
WTA titles won in the past year: 7
Finals lost in past year: 0
YI Seeding for Wimbledon: 1
Ace Verdict: With the top form she is in, Serena Williams looks set to lift the title of Ladies’ Champion at Wimbledon this year.
MARIA SHARAPOVA
Current WTA Ranking: 2
Best in Wimbledon: Won (2004)
Career titles on grass: 3
WTA titles won in past year: 4
Finals lost in past year: 1
YI seeding for Wimbledon: 2
Ace verdict: Sharapova’s ups and downs in the top 2 should take her as far as the finals but probably no further.
Volume 2 Issue 12
