Wimbledon 2012: Novak Djokovic and Stars Looking for Redemption

With the 2012 Wimbledon tournament in full swing, it’s time to give a hard look at which stars are coming into the heart of this tournament with something to prove.

Tennis sensations like Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic are looking for redemption, and there is no better place to find it than at a Major as prestigious as Wimbledon.

Despite coming in as favorites to win it all, these three players will use redemption to fuel their rides to the latter rounds.

Roger Federer

Despite the fact that Swiss legend Roger Federer is 39-6 with four wins in 2012, he comes into Wimbledon with redemption on his mind. In his last three tournaments, he has lost in heartbreaking fashion in or on the verge of the finals.

With two of the losses coming against foe Novak Djokovic, Federer will hope to use his extensive experience on the grass to push the Djoker to his limit.

The six-time Wimbledon champion hasn’t won since 2009, but he wants to prove to the world that the perception that his best days are behind him aren’t true. Winning the oldest Major would make his case pretty convincing.

Serena Williams

After a French Open performance to forget in which Serena Williams was bounced in the first round, the tennis star is looking for redemption on the grass of Wimbledon.

Williams’ season was going just fine before the tournament at Roland Garros, but her two wins and stellar 27-3 record for 2012 offers hope. If Serena can block out her poor play from the French, she will be a contender to win it all.

It will take consistent play throughout the tournament and Williams finding her swagger and attitude to walk away victorious, but she has the talent to do it any time she wants. I have her as the betting-favorite on the women’s side.

Novak Djokovic

While there is no doubting that Novak Djokovic is playing great tennis right now, he is coming off a huge loss to Rafael Nadal in the finals of the 2012 French Open.

The Djoker really didn’t get beat as badly as it looked, but the loss still feeds into the perception that Nadal is the best of the big three right now. The world’s No. 1 wants to prove Nadal is nothing but No. 2.

Nadal has beaten Djoker in three of the four finals they have played in 2012, but it is Djokovic that comes into this tournament with a bigger chip on his shoulder. While it was clear that Nadal had the advantage on clay, the grass advantage goes to Novak.

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