Wimbledon

The greatest, oldest and most eagerly awaited Grand Slam of the year is here. Wimbledon with its special charm and great respect for tradition always promises fantastic tennis and entertainment.

This year's tournament has something new with the ball boys and ball girls changing to blue and cream coloured Ralph Lauren uniforms, giving up the traditional dark green and mauve. But the prize money issue is still hot. I think female players deserve equal amount. True that they play fewer sets, but then, we don't watch the ladies just for the tennis.

I'm confused about whom to support in this year's championship. It isn't as easy a question to answer as it was last year, or the year before that. There is a long queue of gentlemen vying for my moral and vocal support for their campaign this year.

The God

Federer. Even after his loss (at Nadal's hands yet again) at the Roland Garros, my heart refuses to give up on his neat serve-vollyeing and classy gameplay. Federer is poised to win his 4th consecutive Wimbledon and equal Sampras's and Bjorn Borg's feat. Only something extraordinary, rather supernatural can prevent him from becoming 'The All England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Champion of the World' yet again.

The Underdog


My natural tendency to favour underdogs is what has landed me in this problem. When I was fully for Goran Ivanesevic in 2003, it wasn't soo difficult to choose. He was my favourite in his two previous final clashes with Sampras also.

With Andre Agassi announcing that this will be his last Wimbledon, I'm undergoing an emotional turmoil. Should I give up my loyalty for Fed and switch sides to Agassi? From his days of denim-shorts and long hair to the present, mature avatar, he has been a great player, fighter and icon. Bouncing back from world ranking of 142, toiling through tier 2 tennis circuits, isn't a piece of cake for anybody. Also he is my all time favourite Steffi's husband. Anything for Steffi!

The Brit

Tiger Tim can be called the 'Semi-final man'. It is incredible how he has managed to keep on fighting in spite of the semi-final exits against the eventual winners. I seriously feel pity for him. But, in spite of being unseeded this year, he is still a contender. Can he shock everyone and be the first Brit after Fred Perry to be kissing the cup on the Centre court?

The Others

Tennis has become quite unpredictable in recent years because of the rise of many young players who keep causing major upsets in many tournaments. Likes of Andy Murray, Ljubicic, Fernando Gonzalez, James Blake have the potential to show the exit to some of the best in the game on their day. I just pray it happens to Nadal, who is another force to reckon in spite of being only a shadow of his clay-invincible self on grass. I hate him, for being Federer's nemesis. Not to forget Roddick, who is very much capable of ending his drought of major titles.

The Ladies!




The ladies competetion is also a source of worry. The problem is even more difficult with too many pairs of beautiful legs and attractive faces to choose from. There's Sharapova(my current favourite) with her no-sweat Nike outfit, Hingis making a comeback, Daniela Hantuchova and Nicole Vaidisova (who suffered a painful loss against Kuznetsova in French open semi), supposed to be the one of the Maria tradition. If we disregard the X-factor (why would anyone do that?), there's Justin Henin, Amelie Mauresmo, Venus Williams and many more.

I think the I'll just wait and watch. A hard-fought Federer v/s Agassi final would be a feast as good as a ladies final between Sharapova and Vaidisova.

May the best gentleman and the loveliest lady win!