Wimbledon 2009
With the news that defending champion Rafael Nadal had to withdraw due to tendonitis in his knees, this year’s Wimbledon opens up the men’s singles a bit.
The grass court grand slam tournament which begins this week will definitely have a different spin with the brilliant Spaniard out.
Can Roger Federer regain the throne? If so, he will become the all-time leader in Grand Slam titles at 15, just weeks after tying Pete Sampras’ record in winning the French Open. The Swiss great came up on the losing end to Nadal in the longest singles final in tournament history last year, a 4-hour, 48-minute test of physical talent and will that ended 9-7 in the fifth set as darkness descended.
Will this be the event that marks a turning point in the career of Scotsman Andy Murray?
American Andy Roddick has a powerful serve that should help his climb through the rounds as long as his tender foot holds up under a tough early draw.
Novak Djokovic has not played well recently and an early exit at last year’s Wimbledon may still play on his mind. Still the Serbian has the tools to get it done.
Another second round loser was Argentine Juan Martin del Potro who actually has gone out early at Wimbledon the last two years.
David Ferrer’s strength at chasing and returning doesn’t figure to be well-suited for this surface and James Blake has to overcome a tough draw to get anywhere.
Speaking of tough draws, if he can get past Ivan Ljubicic and his weak ankle and potentially the Croatian Marin Cilic, American Sam Querrey has the potential to do some damage at this event.
Still this tournament is shaping up to be a record-breaking event for Roger Federer.
Can Roger Make History...More History?
Nadal becomes the first reigning Wimbledon men’s champion to not defend the title since Goran Ivanisevic in 2002 — and only the second in the last 35 years. Marcos Baghdatis, the 95th-ranked Cypriot, and a Wimbledon semifinalist has also withdrawn due to knee concerns. Frenchman Gael Monfils has pulled out of Wimbledon due to a wrist injury.
On the women’s side even though she is seeded number one, Dinara Safina’s less-then-impressive record at this event does not bode well for a deep run, especially with the Williams sisters seeded right behind her, both with strong games on grass.
Venus Williams, a five-time Wimbledon winner, is practically a different player on this surface and if she gets her confidence going early, number six will not be a far fetched notion.
Serena Williams will have to improve her recent poor service game to have a realistic shot, especially if it comes down to facing her sister.
French Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova, though not as stellar on grass has to be on opponent’s minds simply because of her serve and overall athleticism. She’ll be there in the late going.
Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova is still coming back from that nasty shoulder injury that clearly affected her serve.
Since grass is simply not where they do their best work, highly-talented players like Jelena Jankovic and Elena Dementieva don’t figure to go deep.
Not surprisingly, the ladies final is shaping up to be a family slugfest between the Williams sisters.
Venus Looking Good for Six Crowns
While the competition is still grand and to take nothing away from the eventual winners, Wimbledon 2009 is an example that tennis does exact a toll in injuries, sparing no one. It would have been interesting to see how things might have played out if two champions, Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova, were at full speed.
Wimbledon Television Coverage
*All times are EST and are subject to change.
Monday, June 22
7:00 am – 5:00 pm Wimbledon (M/W): Early rounds ESPN2 – LIVE
Tuesday, June 23
7:00 am – 5:00 pm Wimbledon (M/W): Early rounds ESPN2 – LIVE
Wednesday, June 24
7:00 am – 5:00 pm Wimbledon (M/W): Early rounds ESPN2 – LIVE
Thursday, June 25
7:00 am – 5:00 pm Wimbledon (M/W): Early rounds ESPN2 – LIVE
Friday, June 26
7:00 am – 5:00 pm Wimbledon (M/W): Early rounds ESPN2 – LIVE
Saturday, June 27
8:00 am – 3:00 pm Wimbledon (M/W): Early rounds ESPN2 – LIVE
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm Wimbledon (M/W): Early rounds NBC – LIVE
Monday, June 29
7:00 am – 10:00 am Wimbledon (M/W): Early rounds ESPN2 – LIVE
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Wimbledon (M/W): Early rounds NBC – LIVE
1:00 pm – 7:00 pm Wimbledon (M/W): Early rounds ESPN2 – LIVE
Tuesday, June 30
7:00 am – 10:00 am Wimbledon (W): Quarterfinals ESPN2 – LIVE
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Wimbledon (W): Quarterfinals NBC – LIVE
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Wimbledon (W): Quarterfinals ESPN2 – LIVE
Wednesday, July 1
7:00 am – 10:00 am Wimbledon (M): Quarterfinals ESPN2 – LIVE
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Wimbledon (M): Quarterfinals NBC – LIVE
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Wimbledon (M): Quarterfinals ESPN2 – LIVE
Thursday, July 2
7:00 am – 12:00 pm Wimbledon (W): Semifinals ESPN2 – LIVE
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Wimbledon (W): Semifinals NBC – LIVE
Friday, July 3
7:00 am – 12:00 pm Wimbledon (M): Semifinals ESPN2 – LIVE
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Wimbledon (M): Semifinals NBC – LIVE
Saturday, July 4
9:00 am – 2:00 pm Wimbledon (W): Final NBC – LIVE
Sunday, July 5
9:00 am – 3:00 pm Wimbledon (M): Final NBC – LIVE
Please check The Tennis Channel for their coverage.
Yeah I’d say this will come down to the Williams sisters once again. just too tough on grass.
With Nadal out, it doesnt mean there wont be great tennis.
Also I think the Williams sisters are the best on grass and should meet up in the finals again.
Cant wait for this tournament to get started. It is my favorite grand slam event. seems like it is the true roots of the sport, a great walk back into history.
Somehow I see another slipping through, a player like Murray or Roddick will take the men’s title this year.
Serena will get her “serve” on and take the crown from her sister.
The grass has certainly gotten greener for Roger. He should break the record by winning here.
Yes that is true about sports injuries. It is a pity that we have no chance of a rematch of last year’s titan battle between Roger and Rafael.
I think Roger is the best player ever and it would be appropriate that he sets the grand slam record here at wimbledon.
This Wimbledon has the look of Venus.
Sure going to miss Nadal, but I think Roger will win in any event.
Federer got some help at the French and got some help again here, but he is too good to matter where Nadal is.
King Roger will take Wimbledon again.
you are right about injuries, Sharapova tried but she’s not the same yet and look what happened- an early exit.
I think Venus takes her third straight Wimbledon
Federer is one that doesnt waste opportunities and he sees one here.
Hi, Wimbledon Open Tennis 2009 started. I am wishing Roger Federer to win the Wimbledon trophy. For more information like schedules, dates, players list, rankings, draws, score etc visit “Altiusdirectory.com”.
http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Sports/2009-wimbledon-tennis-championships-schedules.html