Clash of tennis titans goes green

Nadal, Djokovic under Wimbledon cloud as Federer waits to pounce.

LONDON: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic enter Wimbledon plagued by injury fears and self-doubt, leaving Roger Federer convinced that this could be a golden opportunity to capture a record eighth title.

The 28-year-old Nadal hinted at another Wimbledon letdown in the immediate aftermath of his triumph over Djokovic in the French Open final two weeks ago, when he claimed his 14th major, and this weekend hinted at more trouble to come.

“I’ve said before, this is really the most dangerous tournament of the year,” said Nadal.

“When I arrive at Roland Garros I have already played for one month on clay. So more or less I can imagine how I am going to play.”

World number two Djokovic won his only Wimbledon title in 2011 and was runner-up to Andy Murray in 2013.

But he admits he fears that a right wrist injury may return to haunt him.

“Right now I don’t feel any pain,” said Djokovic.

“But I felt like when I’m changing surfaces, especially from clay to grass, in the opening few days of the practice here got a little bit of a strange sensation in the wrist.”

Murray, having become the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to win Wimbledon goes into the tournament with his form also giving cause for concern.

“The difference between this year and last year is that I’ve played a lot of matches on clay in the last couple of weeks,” said Murray.

“Last year I had about a week to 10 days’ preparation on grass before Queen’s.”

Federer, who won the last of his 17 majors at Wimbledon in 2012, hopes his success in Germany is a sign of things to come in south-west London.

“On grass, I feel like if I play my game it’s more on my racquet,” said Federer. “I feel I have a very good chance again this year.”

Fired-up Serena in no mood for small talk

Serena Williams sent a warning to her Wimbledon title rivals as the world number one completed her preparations for the grasscourt Grand Slam in a feisty mood.

Serena made an appearance at the All England Club’s pre-tournament press conferences on Saturday, but it quickly became clear the American had no time for small talk.

Asked that how quickly she had managed to put the French Open loss behind her, Serena gave a curt response.

“Who says I’m over it?” she said with a smirk. “Yeah, I doubt it. Knowing me, no.”

With Marion Bartoli now retired following her maiden Grand Slam triumph at Wimbledon 12 months ago, this will be the first time since Steffi Graf in 1997 that the reigning women’s champion hasn’t returned to defend her crown.

Maria Sharapova, fresh from winning the French Open for the second time, is seen as the biggest threat to Serena and they are scheduled to meet in the last eight.

“I don’t like to come into this tournament thinking, ‘I just won a Grand Slam’. I like to challenge myself and be hungry,” said Sharapova.

“Always when I think about winning so many matches or having a great season, I don’t know, I get a little bored in my mind. I want to challenge myself when I go out on the court.”

Other potential contenders include China’s Li Na, Romania’s Simona Halep and Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska.

Women’s winners

2013: Marion Bartoli (FRA)

2012: Serena Williams (USA)

2011: Petra Kvitova (CZE)

2010: Serena Williams (USA)

2009: Serena Williams (USA)

Men’s winners

2013: Andy Murray (GBR)

2012: Roger Federer (SUI)

2011: Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2010: Rafael Nadal (ESP)

2009: Roger Federer (SUI)

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2014.

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