High on grass

Wimbledon is where the whites, the atmosphere, the tradition all play a role in infusing the game with a sense of history, writes Ranjona Banerji.

From all accounts, the strawberries are usually extremely sour and definitely far too expensive. The cream is always good though. And that makes sense, for this cream of tennis tournaments. Last year when Roger Federer walked on court as the unchallenged emperor in a cream blazer suitably emblazoned, it was not seen as vainglorious arrogance but somehow in the rightness of things.

This year, though, whatever he wears, one might well say, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”. The pretenders have sensed weaknesses and are ready to bay for his blood. Is the emperor under par this year? Did the battle on clay in Paris hurt his regal paws? Is the burden of being the best beginning to tell?

Already, former stars at the lower levels of stardom have come put with their comments, that Federer is finished, other players have a chance and so forth — Mats Wilander, Pat Cash and a few clay-courters. In fact, since Wilander started this refrain, Federer has won three Grand Slams. Ah well, in the great and greater category of tennis stars — Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, Bjorn Borg — there is certainty that Federer remains supreme. So, this may be a battle of the challengers over the classicists; between those who want a good match and those who want just good tennis.

As the French Open this year was Rafael Nadal’s chance to equal Borg’s record of three consecutive Roland Garros titles, this is Federer’s opportunity to equal Borg’s feat of five Wimbledon crowns. As usual, the stakes are high. But the contenders have changed. The slow, grinding clay-courters have had their chance for their year. Andy Roddick is back in contention and so is Lleyton Hewitt, two men who have bore the brunt of the Federer onslaught. Andy Murray has a look-in, if he is fit enough. The Davydenkos and Nalbandians have a chance anywhere in the world. And the young Novak Djokovic is full of his own domination games, eager for victory.

But this is still Wimbledon, the queen of tournaments, the cream of the crop. The grass, the atmosphere, the whites, the tradition all play their role of intimidation, of infusing the game of tennis with a sense of history and making players feel that they are part of something bigger and must now pay homage to it. Which is why Federer fits in so well — it’s a game he understands very well and on grass, he has almost perfected it.

It is also why the Williams sisters have done so well here — Serena has two and Venus has three and she was the finalist who lost when Serena won. Why Maria Sharapova has determined again and again that she must repeat her 2004 victory. It could well have been Nadal’s determination and intimidatory tactics that brought him as far as the final last year. Of course, Mauresmo was a bit of a surprise winner last year, but then 2006 was her year. This year, biting at her heels are many contenders, from last year’s finalist Justine Henin to Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic and even Martina Hingis, who last won here 10 years ago.

But the race lies not just to the fittest, but also the most classical. Grass asks for a faster pace, a serve and volley ability, a strong service. It asks for a game. It insists on quality. Not all those who won had the same quality. And many who had quality did not get it. But whoever won, knew that they wanted it again and again. Who was better at domination in his time than Sampras, and he was rewarded with seven titles. The odds, therefore, lie with Federer making a successful bid for his fifth title.

Grass looks soft, but it draws blood. Let the games begin. This, ladies and gentleman, is Wimbledon.