The tennis season ceases for no one and the turnaround for the grass court season is particularly brutal. The introduction of an extended grass court season (an extra week has been devoted to the turf) will allow the favourites for Wimbledon the opportunity to gain some much needed practice before the third Grand Slam of the year.
Novak Djokovic
A heart-breaking loss to Stan Wawrinka at Roland Garros put paid to Djokovic’s dreams of a career and calendar Grand Slam for another year. The undisputed number one has lost just three times this year and will be hoping not to suffer another at this year’s Wimbledon (29th June-12th July).
The two-time and defending champion has elected not to play a tune-up event in preparation. He’ll head to Wimbledon without any match practice. However, if anyone is capable of winning a Grand Slam without match practice, it is Djokovic.
Roger Federer
Federer is kicking off his grass court campaign at Halle (15th-21st June) which is a tournament with which he has a life-long contract. He’s had great success at this tune-up having won seven titles and won the title most recently in 2014 by defeating Alejandro Falla. From there, he’ll make his way to Wimbledon giving him one week to practice on the courts at SW19.
A somewhat surprising finalist at Wimbledon last year, Federer lost to Djokovic in a tough five sets and will be looking to avenge the loss. The tournament holds a special place in Federer’s heart as it was the place where he won his first Grand Slam and is also his most successful Grand Slam (7 titles).
Federer will have to return to the aggressive mindset he maintained last year when he utilised net rushing to great effect. Halle will be the perfect chance for him to get some matches in on the green stuff and give him some confidence.
Andy Murray
Not withstanding reports of an illness, Murray will start his preparation for Wimbledon at The Queen’s Club, Aegon Championships (15th-21st June). He’s won the tournament three times and should have some quality match practice as Queen’s boasts a loaded field.
Murray had an extremely successful clay court season and will be hoping that this will continue as he attempts to capture another Wimbledon to complement the one he picked up in 2013.
With home support and both Amelie Mauresmo and Jonas Bjorkman in his camp, Murray will be well placed as a contender for the tournament.
Stanislas Wawrinka
The French Open Champion will be hoping that the power game which propelled him to his second Grand Slam title a week ago will translate well on the grass. Last year he was hampered by illness in his quarter-final loss to Federer at Wimbledon.
To prepare, he is also playing Queen’s, a tournament he has not won and which he will be keen to go deep in. With backswings as long as Wawrinka’s it is important that he get as much time on the grass as possible so as to ensure that he is used to the bounce and can find his timing.
Rafael Nadal
Whilst the other favourites have taken a week off, on the other hand, Nadal has utilised the extra week that has been added to the grass court calendar to play. He has been playing at Stuttgart (8th-14th June), where he won the title, and will be playing Queen’s the coming week.
Nadal is the proud owner of two Wimbledon titles but it is no secret that he has struggled this year. He went without a clay court title during the clay season which is unheard of and lost to Djokovic in straight sets at the French Open for only his second loss ever at the tournament.
In recent years, he has failed to make an impact at Wimbledon not making it beyond the fourth round since 2011. Nadal needs to play matches to improve and he has said in the past that confidence is key for him. With two tournaments under his belt by the time he reaches Wimbledon he will have maximised his time on the grass.
The next week will be an interesting one as early losses on the grass can severely damage a title campaign at Wimbledon. Who will emerge as the favourite?
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