Wimbledon 2011: 6 Major Storylines Heading into the First Day of Action
Wimbledon 2011 is here. As always, there are various scenarios and sequences that might happen during this great tennis tournament.
So, what are the major storylines as we head into the All England Club? Will Federer gain the seventh? Will Djokovic come back from his defeat at Roland Garros? Will Murray cope up to the hope of a nation? Will the Williams sisters regain their foothold?
We have to wait and watch!
Will Wozniacki Finally Win a Major?
1 of 6
Everyone knows that Caroline Wozniacki didn't steal the World No.1 title. She got it out of pure talent and skill. Of course, the Williams sisters are not playing regularly, and there are no Henins and Grafs on the circuit theses days. Still, achieving the No.1 spot is a titanic task.
There have not been many players who were No.1 and didn't win a single major. Marcelo Rios from the ATP circuit is one name that jumps into thoughts.
We all know that hard court is the strength of Wozniacki. She lost to her good friend Kim Clijsters in the finals of the US Open at 2009 and made it to the semis at 2010.
She hasn't made it past the fourth round at Wimbledon, and I don't give her great chances to win this time around.
She is a defensive player with a great two-handed backhand. At Wimbledon, you need to be offensive and go forward to close out volleys. I don't see Wozniacki doing that at least for this time being.
All we wish is for her to win a major, but I don't think that will happen this time. All the best for the US Open, though!
Will Djokovic Come Back Strongly?
2 of 6
He has a losing streak of one.
When you talk about Djokovic, you talk about a man who has lost only one game since last Thanksgiving! But, how will he handle it is the most important question.
After winning 43 matches on a row, it is hard to lose a game of that importance. If he had won the French Open and eventually gone on to be the No.1, then Wimbledon would have been his to lose. But Federer had other ideas, and we all knew what happened.
Personally, I feel that the surface, style and tactics don't apply to Federer, Nadal or Djokovic these days. They have proved time and again that they are great, so it is the game on the particular day that matters the most.
Djokovic has made it to two semifinals at Wimbledon. Now, he is on Federer's half of the draw. So, what if he meets Federer on the semis? Remember, he has ousted Federer on more than one occasion at a major semis. He has everything in it to do it.
But, if you ask me "Will he win?", I cannot be affirmative on that.
Williams Sisters Are the Favourites?
3 of 6
Well, if you want to take a hard look at the state of women's tennis, then this is a perfect example. The favorites to win the most prestigious major in Woman's tennis are ranked No. 7 and No. 23.
Oh, yeah! The women's game has struggled without these two powerhouses. Given the fact that this is Wimbledon, I don't see anyone else taking the title away from them.
Venus and Serena have won nine of the last 11 Wimbledon titles. Much more than any stat, they are the literal powerhouse of women's tennis. Their serve and forehand are unrivaled by anyone else today.
I think that they will win this one hands down!
If there is anyone who can challenge them, then it should be Li Na, the reigning French Open champion. She is good on grass and she is on song. Then the second contender is Maria Sharapova. She is good on grass and won her first major here, but stopping the sisters will be a huge task!
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Andy Murray and the Hope of a Nation
4 of 6
It has been said for a million times now, and I'm just going to add to that number! "Britain has not had a Grand Slam champion in more than 75 years"
Well, Murray, according to me is a great player! And I fancy his chances this time around.
For starters, Murray is in the best place he can be at this moment. He has won the Aegon Championship and is full of hope. Personally, I don't think that there are better grass court players than him on tour (Nadal and Federer are excluded, of course)
Murray has matured greatly over the past two years. He is handling the media brilliantly for one! He has reached two consecutive Wimbledon semifinals. This time, too, he is going to be just fine till then.
He might face Nadal in the semis. Interestingly, he had defeated Nadal on two occasions and went on to lose to Federer in the finals. Defeating Nadal is an achievement on its own. If he does that, he will have a great chance against Federer.
Roger gets inspiration from the crowd, and what will he do when the crowd bursts frenzy for every point he loses? Home court advantage might be really helpful for Murray.
So, will the Brit win? I fancy his chances!
Will Nadal Defend Is Title?
5 of 6
When you speak about the favorites for Wimbledon 2011, you tend to forget about the fact that Rafael Nadal has not lost a game here since that 2007 finals!
He won in style during 2008 and pulled out during 2009. He came back and won in 2010. Now, will he defend his title?
Now, pundits in B/R are suggesting that he will not. I don't know why. I don't think that it is possible to predict the fall of a player even before he gets into court.
If you go by the stats, then Nadal will win this thing hands down! He is on song, he is good on grass and he is hungry to win! What else makes a champion?
If Nadal fails to win here, it will be because of his opponent's play rather than his! If you want to defeat the defending champion, you have got to bring out the best in you, people, because that is the only way you can!
Roger Federer and His Quest for No.7
6 of 6
Well, how can it be men's tennis without Roger Federer being the major storyline?
Things had been difficult for the Swiss for the past one year. He lost to Tomas Berdych in last year's quarterfinals, ending his run of seven finals in a row at SW19. He lost in the semis of the US Open and did the same in this year's Australian Open.
With Djokovic firing all cylinders and Nadal getting back to form, Federer was moving to the "third wheel" slot. Many considered him to be past his prime until French Open 2011!
Federer, according to myself, played his best French Open. He ended the majestic run of Novak and played a great final against Nadal, but eventually lost. But that is French Open and that is where Nadal reigns supreme!
This is where Federer has six titles! This is where he overhauled Pete Sampras, this is where nobody touches him!
Federer, according to me, has the best chance of winning on the men's tour. He has already got the most number of major titles and now is searching to equal Sampras's record of seven Wimbledon titles.
Wimbledon is Federer's preferred slam and it will take only a lunatic not to consider him the favorite!
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
