Grass Court Preview
by Barry Flatman
AS A MULTITUDE OF UMPIRES OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS WILL CONFIRM, WHEN JOHN MCENROE TALKS, THE TENNIS WORLD TAKES NOTICE.
So after a Wimbledon final last year that the verbose New Yorker insists was the best match of all time, few would dare to argue when he maintains the upcoming grass court season on the lawns of The Queen’s Club and Wimbledon is something no true fan should miss.
McEnroe should know. Until Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal staged their battle royal on Centre Court into the dusk of that damp but magical evening last July, his final against Bjorn Borg 28 years earlier was regarded an imperious. “I’ve given it a lot of thought and I’m no longer saying it as a knee jerk reaction but ’08 Nadal Federer final was the greatest we have ever seen,” he said. “If this doesn’t spark interest in our sport, I don’t know what will. I can’t wait for this year.”
Some things will certainly be different. Courtesy of modern technology there will be no late night finish to the final this year thanks to Centre Court’s new retractable roof. And while few would either complain or be too surprised if Nadal and Federer again square up over the Wimbledon net, Britain very much has a vested interest this year.
It is now 73 years since Fred Perry won the last of his three consecutive Wimbledon titles. Tim Henman of course made a noble effort, reaching four semifinals but Andy Murray, US Open finalist last September, has emerged as a true contender who can maximise the home support and finally become a British champion.
Pat Cash was the same age as Murray when he won the Wimbledon title back in 1987 and he is excited by what he sees from the British No.1. “Andy’s certainly got the game to win on grass,” said the Australian. “He’s matured, he’s improved, he’s got so much stronger and fitter. Plus it is a huge advantage at Wimbledon to have all of that crowd cheering for you - give me that
any day over the crowd cheering against you. Since going so far in last year’s US Open, it’s clear he’s very close to winning to a Grand Slam and he’s a much more accomplished player now than then. Wimbledon will be an exciting time for him.”
So too will the newly rebranded AEGON Championships at Queen’s. Last year Nadal became the first man in history to travel straight from winning the French Open at Roland Garros, collect the title at The Queen’s Club and continue his unbeaten run all the way to the Wimbledon crown. It was a superhuman effort and Nadal obviously holds both London tournaments dear to his heart. “Queen’s is a special place,” insisted the world No.1. “You feel like you are in a club, a real tennis club, so that is really nice. Playing the AEGON Championships means that you are already in London and the courts are in perfect condition like at Wimbledon.”
“You feel like you are in a club, a real tennis club, so that is really nice.” - Rafael Nadal
