2013 Wimbledon Preview Final by Tennis Now

2013 Wimbledon Preview

WHAT’S INSIDE LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

MARIA’S RETURN

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p.21-23

TOP 5 ONE-HIT WIMBLEDON WONDERS

ATP MEN’S PREVIEW

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p.24-28

ANDY MURRAY: LOCAL HERO

WTA WOMEN’S PREVIEW

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p.30-34

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2013 Wimbledon Preview

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Lana Maciel lana@tennisnow.com Blair Hemley

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Writers

Erik Gudris

Letter from the Editor Expect the Unexpected It’s a tennis fan’s favorite time of year. The formal traditions, the strawberries and cream, the fresh green lawns and, of course, the immaculate whites. Yes, Wimbledon is here, although it’s a shame it also signals the end of a grass-court season that only lasts about a month. But as brief as that window is, it also creates a bit of unpredictability leading into the Grand Slam event. As the players do their best to make a rushed adjustment from the previous battlegrounds of blood-red clay, it’s anyone’s guess as to who can hit a hot streak and make big strides on grass. Even top players aren’t always a guaranteed win. In fact, we’ve already seen it happening in the grass-court tune-up events, particularly on the women’s side. Agnieszka Radwanska, Li Na and Sam Stosur have struggled thus far on the lawn, while lower-ranked players like Simona Halep, Jamie Hampton and 16-year-old Donna Vekic are on a tear. The ultimate test is whether these players can keep that momentum going through the more grueling routine of a two-week Grand Slam, where the pressure is higher and the competition rises to another level. And the same unpredictability can also happen on the men’s side (see: Lukas Rosol, 2012).

Chris Oddo

Blair Henley

That’s what so exciting about watching the abbreviated grass court season unfold. At Wimbledon, anything can happen. Day by day, that bracket you filled out before the first ball was struck - the same bracket you felt so confident about - can potentially be in pieces by the end of week one. And it’s precisely the idea that Tennis Now’s Chris Oddo writes about in his article “Top 5 One-Hit Wimbledon Wonders,” which profiles five of Wimbledon’s most unexpected Cinderella stories.

blair@tennisnow.com

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Alberto Capetillo Juan Esparza

And our Wimbledon Preview issue wouldn’t be complete without a feature on Britain’s own Golden Boy, Andy Murray. Tennis Now’s Erik Gudris analyzes the journey the Scot has taken since his standout summer last year, and the possibility that this could be the year Murray breaks the infamous “Curse of Fred Perry.”

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Whatever happens, we all hope this year’s breakfasts at Wimbledon will include a few surprises that will leave us talking for the rest of the season.

Nick Georgandis

Alex Duff & Getty Images

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Enjoy the next two weeks of tennis!

Lana Maciel Editor, Tennis Now Magazine lana@tennisnow.com 2013 Wimbledon Preview

Top 5

One-Hit Wimbledon

Wonders They all have something in common, and yet they all possess a uniqueness... – Chris Oddo

What, truly, constitutes a one-hit wonder? There are varying opinions on that. Some think the term is a euphemism for “lucky once, but generally shoddy,” but that doesn’t have to necessarily be so, and for the purposes of this piece, it most certainly isn’t. Context must be factored into the equation, and association, too. We are talking about Wimbledon, after all. Tennis mecca, the grandaddy of them all, the place where legacies are forged and legends are created. And when it comes to Wimbledon, even the one-hit wonders are larger than life. The term is not a denigration. It is a glorification.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Though not in the same league as the Williamses, Samprases and Federers, those about to be crowned as one-hit wonders created a league all their own at The Championships. They are a part of the legend of Wimbledon as much as the aforementioned legends, woven into the fabric of the place and embedded in our memory banks for time immemorial. It is these diamonds in the rough that we will honor. Those players who caught lightning in a bottle at Wimbledon for all the world to see. Even if they would never realize the same dizzying heights again, each will forever be a part of the lore and lure of The Championships.

Goran Ivanisevic 2001 Who could forget it? On a raucous Monday, Centre Court was throttled by a roar more reminiscent of soccer stadiums than the staid confines of The All England Club. It was then and there that Goran Ivanesivic—a wild card at Wimbledon in 2001—finally had his eternal moment, bringing forth an outpouring of joy so divine that more than a decade later, some say the hair is still standing on the back of their necks. ‘’This is so great,” said Ivanisevic, a brilliant player who had come close before at Wimbledon, but fell just short. “I don’t even care if I ever play a match in my life again. If I don’t want to play, I don’t play again. This is it. This is the end of the world.’’ Selena Roberts of the New York Times summed it up best when she wrote of the exuberance surrounding match point: “As Rafter’s last return ducked into the net, Croatians and Aussies alike jumped up in a thundering group cheer. Along with their joy for Ivanisevic’s long-awaited major and respect for Rafter’s effort, they were also applauding the purity of the moment.”

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Jana Novotna 1998 Five years after crying on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent after a heartbreaking loss in the 1993 Wimbledon final to Steffi Graf, Jana Novotna would be crying tears of joy after defeating Frenchwoman Natalie Tauziat, 6-4, 7-6(2), for the title. Novotna would win 12 Grand Slam doubles titles and another four on the mixed doubles court, but her 1998 triumph would be her only singles title at a major. “Winning Wimbledon means everything to me,’’ Novotna said afterwards, ‘’but the whole match was extremely difficult.” Overcoming teenager Martina Hingis in the semifinals might have been the biggest challenge for the former World No. 2, but the excruciatingly poignant feeling of finally reaching the holy grail of tennis in her 12th Wimbledon will forever be the pinnacle of a career that, for a time in her younger years, was marked by heartbreak.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Alexandra Stevenson 1999 If Ivanisevic and Novotna are one breed of one-hit wonder, Alexandra Stevenson, a 6-foot-1 hard-serving, power-playing American, is another. Some one-hit wonders are perennial powerhouses that knock and knock on the door until they finally get in, while Stevenson’s super powers only lasted for a fortnight—and she never even knocked, she just barged in. Reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 1999 at the age of 18, Stevenson became the first woman to emerge from qualifying to the last four at The Championships. Getting raves for her serve, and “Oh dear’s” for the revealed fact that a basketball star known simply as “Dr. J” was Stevenson’s real father, she pounded past Jelena Dokic in the quarterfinals, telling reporters, ‘’On grass, it’s easier for me: boom, boom, it’s over.” In the semifinals Stevenson would fall to another tall, hardhitting American—Lindsay Davenport—and she would never get past the second round of a Grand Slam again.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

David Nalbandian 2002 Seeded 28th at Wimbledon in just his second year on the ATP Tour, David Nalbandian should have been headed for a third-round matchup with seven-time champion Pete Sampras, but when George Bastl of Switzerland pulled one of the most epic Wimbledon upsets of all-time against Sampras, the first domino had fallen in Nalbandianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s run to the final. With Marat Safin, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and seventhseeded Roger Federer all out before the third round, Nalbandian had all the steam he needed to get to the quarters. From there, the up-and-coming Argentine battled his way through two gritty five-setters against Nicolas Lapentti and Xavier Malisse to reach the final. In doing so, Nalbandian became the first male in the Open Era to reach the final in his Wimbledon debut, and the first Argentine male to ever play for the Wimbledon title. That he fell short against grass guru Lleyton Hewitt doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t detract from Nalbandianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2002 run. In his first professional tournament on a grass court, Nalbandian, only 20 at the time, came one step from winning Wimbledon.

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Lukas Rosol 2012 With Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic becoming the first two players in history to play against one another in four consecutive Grand Slam finals, the windows of opportunity for usurpers were few and far between in 2012. Enter Lukas Rosol, the avenger. Having lost in qualifying at Wimbledon for the last five years, the Czech had apparently had enough. Christoper Clarey of the New York Times described Rosol’s tactical approach to playing Nadal with accuracy, saying, “Playing as if risk were an obligation instead of a choice, Rosol hammered balls early for winners and, much more important, hammered balls deep into the fifth set for winners, too.” Tim Henman, commentating for BBC, was as blown away as the rest of those who witnessed Rosol’s improbable secondround victory over the two-time Wimbledon champion. “I think it was a freak performance,” Henman said. “I don’t think it mattered in the end who was on the other end of the court.” Nadal, who hadn’t been stopped at Wimbledon before the final since 2005, couldn’t help but be impressed. “When an opponent plays like he wanted to play in the fifth, you are in his hands,” he said. When the dust had settled, the epic upset was also an epic match that featured a remarkably courageous performance from the world’s 100th ranked player. Rosol, despite losing in the next round, had made a strong statement to the rest of the tour: Either attack the powers that be, or fall prey to them. His is a story of courage in the face on near invincible odds. Like all of Wimbledon’s one-hit wonders, he let the magic of Wimbledon become his own magic. Tirelessly, in the face of fatigue, he made the place into his own personal palace, if only for a day.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

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2013 Wimbledon Preview

Local Hero Will “Murray Mania” Fuel UK’s No. 1 Andy Murray to Wimbledon glory this year? – Erik Gudris

Every tennis player dreams of playing on Wimbledon’s famed Centre Court. But perhaps the most prestigious tennis court in the world is something of a second home for UK’s No. 1 Andy Murray. Walking out to the applause of the hopeful and vocal Centre Court crowd that is eager for Murray to finally take home the sport’s biggest prize is something the Scot has become rather used to during his eight years on tour. Murray’s early relationship with the Wimbledon crowd was an uneasy one to start. Some of that was due to his introverted, focused personality and a Scottish heritage that some English fans could never quite embrace. Every misstep or disappointment from Murray was harshly criticized in the daily English papers. And with every loss, the “curse of Fred Perry” was extended yet another year. But 2012 was a watershed year for Murray and the home crowd in London. Last year saw Murray cry tears of heartbreak and then tears of joy on that same Centre Court within the span of a few weeks. In the Scot’s first-ever Wimbledon final, he lost in four tough sets to Roger Federer. And it was during – but more importantly, immediately after – this match that Murray’s emotional wall crumbled, and fans across the globe took a strong liking to the Scot. No one can forget Murray’s candid post-match speech, where he thanked an entire nation for their support despite him coming up just short. “Well, I’m getting closer,” he managed

2013 Wimbledon Preview

to choke out through a fit of tears. He wasn’t the only one with wet eyes. Everyone in attendance had them as well.

Murray continues to prove that he has the game to win a Grand Slam, but he may have an added a stronger weapon to his arsenal this year - the home crowd. That’s what former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe believes.

Speaking about the level of new support he felt from the crowd on that bittersweet day, Murray said, “It was great. The atmosphere was unbelievable, one of the best I’ve played in. That’s really all I “When the crowd started to really get behind Murray at the can say on that. The atmosphere was great. The support was great. Olympics, that made a big difference,” McEnroe said in an interview You know, I hope it was a good match, even though obviously I lost. I to the Mirror UK. “It bothered and annoyed Federer, because he hope everyone enjoyed it.” never experienced that, as far as I know, that people were actually against him. That benefited Murray.” Murray’s Wimbledon disappointment soon gave way to Olympic triumph at the Summer Games. Once again, Murray faced off McEnroe also believes that Murray’s show of emotion, more against Federer on Centre Court in the gold medal match. But this than we were used to seeing from him in years past, was also key. time, it was Murray who tasted victory as he overwhelmed Federer McEnroe believes that helped the crowd see that Murray really to claim the highest honor. The sight of Murray singing “God Save wanted both that Wimbledon title and the Olympic gold medal. the Queen” along with those in attendance and likely everyone in the United Kingdom watching from home gave many the feeling “At first, he wasn’t doing a whole lot,” McEnroe said. “But eventually that Murray was only getting closer to winning that elusive first he pumped his fist and jumped around a bit. Personally, that was major. He soon fulfilled that prophecy by taking home the U.S. Open great to see. You win an Olympic gold medal, you want people to trophy less than two months later in New York. jump for joy. And I do think it helped him to win the U.S. Open.” A year later, Murray has returned to Wimbledon. Though he enters with a Grand Slam title and Olympic gold to his name, there is now even more expectation for him to take home the glory for his country. The Scot will likely downplay his chances, but with his current 66 grass court win record, which puts him third among all active players behind Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer, Murray remains a solid favorite to go very deep at this year’s event.

We won’t know for sure how Murray will fare this fortnight on the fabled lawns of Wimbledon. But one thing he and especially his opponents can be sure of is that those inside Centre Court – and the even more fervent fans assembled on “Murray Mount” just outside – will be chanting and screaming and doing everything they can to let their local hero know they are with him right until the very end.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

M a r i a’s R e t u r n Now that she’s back in top form, Maria Sharapova looks poised to reclaim the Wimbledon title she held nine years ago. Can she stop the one woman who appears unstoppable? – Lana Maciel 2013 Wimbledon Preview

2013 Wimbledon Preview

It’s one of the most notorious monopolies in women’s tennis: over the past 13 years, only three women not named Williams have been able to successfully walk away with the Wimbledon trophy. Maria Sharapova was the first to do it in 2004, at the tender age of 17, followed by Amelie Mauresmo in 2006 and Petra Kvitova in 2011. Since 2000, many other great players have tried to wrestle the Venus Rosewater Dish out of the hands of either Venus or Serena, with the list of casualties including Justine Henin, Lindsay Davenport, Agnieszka Radwanska and, of course on occasion, the second Williams. And with five-time champ Serena returning to SW19 as the defending titlist, the question remains, who can prove to be a viable threat to end Serena’s reign? Of the likely candidates, a resurgent Sharapova may be the answer. With nearly a decade of experience under her belt since her maiden Grand Slam win, the 26-year-old is certainly enjoying what has become a second wind in her career. She’s endured the peaks and valleys that naturally follow recovering from shoulder surgery in 2008. She didn’t retreat and go back to her old ways when a new service motion continually failed her. Instead, she pressed on and stuck to what she knew would eventually pay off. And she was right. After her injury pushed her out of the top 100 in 2009, she climbed her way back to eventually claim the No. 1 rank in 2012, taking the Roland Garros title along the way to complete a Career Slam. Her wins at Indian Wells and Stuttgart, as well as runner-up finishes at Miami, Roland Garros and Madrid, have done nothing but boost her level of confidence this year. The bottom line is, Wimbledon is potentially Sharapova’s to reclaim, if she can dethrone Serena – or hope someone else can take care of the job for her. The Russian has proven time and again that she’s by far one of the best athletes out there, and her competitive drive is obvious in every clinched fist. You can see the intensity and focus in her eyes, hear the determination and belief in every “C’mon!” Last year’s fourth round loss to Sabine Lisicki may have left a bitter taste in Sharapova’s mouth, but there’s no doubt she’s hungry to avenge it. The key lies in getting her serve to fire on all cylinders throughout the fortnight and dictate the rallies with her heavy forehand. While the serve-and-volley strategy that helped her win in 2004 might not hold the same weight now as it did then against today’s power baseliners, she is equally as powerful and adept from the back of the court, and her game has adjusted accordingly as she’s matured. After nine years, it’s about time Sharapova is reunited with the Venus Rosewater Dish. Otherwise, it’s likely the Williams reign at Wimbledon could extend another year.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Nadal- Federer Quarterfinal Looming Large at Wimbledon Handicapping the men’s draw and naming the must-see matches of the first round at the championships With Rafael Nadal dropping a spot in the rankings after winning his 8th French Open title (yes, strange, but true), the inevitable was revealed on the Friday before The Championships when the men’s singles draws were made: Roger Federer drew the short straw and could face Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals. It’s a dirty job, and apparently Federer has to do it. The pair have met 10 times in Grand Slams over the course of their glorious yet waning rivalry, but never before the semifinals of a major, and only twice before the final. If it sounds like a raw deal for a defending champion, you’re not mistaken. But such, as they say, is the luck of the draw. Speaking of raw deals, a certain Scotsman by the name of Andy Murray could have to deal with either Federer or Nadal in the

semifinals, as both former Wimbledon champions (Federer owns 7 titles while Nadal owns 2) were drawn into the second seed’s half of the draw. All of this is good news for Novak Djokovic, who will share the top half of the draw with David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and a host of other less-decorated grass-court players. Djokovic, picked by many (including John McEnroe and Chris Evert) to win his second Wimbledon title, is now, thanks to the kindness of the gods of the draw, no doubt picked by even more to win it all. Here’s a blow-by-blow, quarter-by-quarter breakdown of the draw.

– Chris Oddo

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Novak Djokovic’s Quarter The 2011 champion will open with Florian Mayer—a tricky opponent on any surface, and especially grass—in the first round, and he could face Jeremy Chardy in the third round and possibly Tommy Haas in the fourth. Haas dealt Djokovic a straight-set defeat in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2009, so he’s not to be overlooked. Nor is Tomas Berdych, a former Wimbledon finalist, who could be Djokovic’s quarterfinal opponent, should the seeds hold.

Other floaters in this section include Bernard Tomic, Sam Querrey, Kevin Anderson, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet, but it’s clearly Djokovic’s quarter to win.

Must-See First-Rounder: Bernard Tomic vs. Sam Querrey Pick: Djokovic 2013 Wimbledon Preview

Roger Federer’s Quarter There are 10 Wimbledon titles tucked neatly into this section of the draw, with Federer, Nadal and Lleyton Hewitt each being former champions. But there are other attractions, including marathon man John Isner, the bearded pizza-eater, Benoit Paire and Jerzy “How Many Times?” Janowicz. But it will take strong, perhaps Rosol-esque efforts by anybody to derail Federer and Nadal from a quarterfinal tilt. Federer could face Rosol himself or the ever tricky Fabio Fognini in the third round, and Janowicz in the fourth, while Nadal could run into hard-serving Isner or Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Given Federer’s form on grass and Nadal’s form on anything he puts his feet on these days, an upset of either seems highly unlikely. Get your popcorn popping for that Federer-Nadal quarterfinal, in other words...

Must-See First-Rounder: Lleyton Hewitt vs. Stan Wawrinka Pick: Nadal

David Ferrer’s Quarter David Ferrer reached his first Wimbledon quarterfinal in 2012, proving yet again that the neatly manicured lawns of the All England Club could be kind to a player whose game is built for the red clay, but his loss in the first round of s’Hertogenbosch last week raises a question. Is Ferrer ripe for the picking at Wimbledon? It’s hard to say. The only other top 10 player in his quarter is Juan Martin del Potro, and while the Argentine has the type of game that could be a boon on the grass, he’s never seemed to find his footing on the surface. Add to that the fact that he’s played sparingly due to a virus in the last two months, and you’d have to say that somebody other than del Potro might have to be the one to knock Ferrer off. But who?

Other seeds in this quarter include Kei Nishikori, Philipp Kohlshcreiber, Grigor Dimitrov and Milos Raonic. This section could be a free-for-all, and despite the lack of big names, it could end up being the most entertaining quarter of the draw when it’s all said and done.

Must-See First-Rounder: Michael Llodra vs. Jarkko Nieminen Pick: Dimitrov

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Andy Murray’s Quarter Andy Murray reached the Wimbledon final last year, and now that he’s won an Olympic gold medal on Centre Court and taken his first Grand Slam at the 2012 U.S. Open, talking heads in England are clamoring for more. But he’ll likely have to defeat either Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in the semifinals to get through to a final, where a lean, mean Novak Djokovic could be waiting. There are two ways to look at Murray’s plight in London: Either it’s a fairy tale in the making, or a disaster waiting to happen. Sure, it could be neither, but the way the pundits see Murray, any step back in the young man’s career will likely be viewed as a failure. Other players in Murray’s quarter include Marin Cilic, Tommy Robredo and Mikhail Youzhny, and a possible quarterfinal tilt with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga looms if the seeds hold.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Must-See First-Rounder: Marcos Baghdatis vs. Marin Cilic Quarterfinals Pick: Murray Semifinals: Murray d. Nadal, Djokovic d. Dimitrov Final: Djokovic d. Murray

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Will Serena Slam the Field at Wimbledon? Defending champion Serena Williams aims for her 17th major title and sixth Wimbledon. Can anyone but herself stop the World No. 1 from achieving her goal? After raising the French Open trophy in Paris for the first time in over a decade, Serena Williams enters this year’s Wimbledon once again as the overwhelming favorite. Is she due for a letdown? Or will this year’s fortnight be yet another extended victory lap for the World No. 1? – Erik Gudris

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Serena Williams’ Quarter Williams will open her title defense against Luxembourg’s Mandy Minella. The top seed could then get a rematch against China’s Jie Zheng, whose stellar play Williams later described as “crazy” after Zheng pushed Williams to win 9-7 in the third last year at Wimbledon.

Perhaps the biggest threat to Williams in her quarter is Angelique Kerber. That is, if the No. 7 seed survives a tough first-round test against the all-court prowess of American Bethanie Mattek-Sands. But whoever Williams faces in the last eight, it is hard to see anyone stopping her from another semifinal berth at a major.

Pick: Williams 2013 Wimbledon Preview

Agnieszka Radwanska’s Quarter Last year’s Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska comes into this year’s event with the pressure to defend all of those points and answer some lingering questions about her game of late. Fortunately for the Polish star, she will have a few rounds to finetune her grass court game before she gets a possible meeting with big-hitting American youngster Madison Keys.

No. 6 seed Li Na appears on track to meet Radwanska in the quarters. But Li’s grass game has been up and down, and she is prone to repeating another early round exit, as she did last year. Radwanska may be vulnerable herself, but her draw will help her find her way back to the semifinals.

Pick: Radwanska 32

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Maria Sharapovaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quarter After the disappointment of losing to Williams in the Roland Garros final, Maria Sharapova will aim to rebound on the grass. Early on, the Russian may face No. 27 seed Lucie Safarova, who has had positive results on grass this season. But once again Sharapova should find safe passage into the quarterfinal round.

Who she faces there is up for discussion. No. 5 seed Sara Errani is her potential foe, but this being grass, an early upset of the Italian is likely. It come could come in the first round when Errani takes on rising Monica Puig. The first-round match to watch in this section is the all-American battle between No. 17 seed Sloane Stephens and Jamie Hampton, whose run at Eastbourne will make her the new No. 3 American. Either one of the them could march into the quarters.

Pick: Radwanska 2013 Wimbledon Preview

Victoria Azarenka’s Quarter Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka may be the only one with a possible chance of stopping Williams’ run to the title. Azarenka’s early rounds should help her find her grass court footing, although a possible meeting against either No. 20 seed Kirsten Flipkens or the rising and very vocal Yulia Putintseva could be her first test of the fortnight.

game of American Coco Vandeweghe. That just might open the door for No. 12 seed Ana Ivanovic to sneak in and make a return trip to the quarters for the first time since 2007.

No. 8 seed Petra Kvitova looms as Azarenka’s possible quarterfinal foe, but that is a big uncertainty. The former Wimbledon champion’s game of late continues to be shaky on grass, and there’s no guarantee she will make it out of the first round against the power

Semifinals: Williams d. Radwanska; Azarenka d. Sharapova

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Pick: Azarenka

Finals: Williams d. Azarenka

RANKINGS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Djokovic, Novak Murray, Andy Federer, Roger Ferrer, David Nadal, Rafael Berdych, Tomas Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried Del Potro, Juan Martin Gasquet, Richard Wawrinka, Stanislas Nishikori, Kei Cilic, Marin Haas, Tommy Tipsarevic, Janko Raonic, Milos Almagro, Nicolas Simon, Gilles Kohlschreiber, Philipp Querrey, Sam Monaco, Juan Isner, John Janowicz, Jerzy Anderson, Kevin Dolgopolov, Alexandr Paire, Benoit

SRB GBR SUI ESP ESP CZE FRA ARG FRA SUI JPN CRO GER SRB CAN ESP FRA GER USA ARG USA POL RSA UKR FRA

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Williams, Serena USA Azarenka, Victoria BLR Sharapova, Maria RUS Radwanska, Agnieszka POL Errani, Sara ITA Li, Na CHN Kerber, Angelique DEU Kvitova, Petra CZE Wozniacki, Caroline DNK Kirilenko, Maria RUS Vinci, Roberta ITA Ivanovic, Ana SRB Petrova, Nadia RUS Stosur, Samantha AUS Bartoli, Marion FRA Jankovic, Jelena SRB Stephens, Sloane USA Cibulkova, Dominika SVK Suarez Navarro, Carla ESP Flipkens, Kirsten BEL Pavlyuchenkova, Anastasia RUS Cirstea, Sorana ROM Lisicki, Sabine DEU Peng, Shuai CHN Makarova, Ekaterina RUS

11,830 8,560 7,740 7,220 6,895 4,515 4,155 3,960 3,135 2,810 2,495 2,470 2,425 2,390 2,225 2,195 1,985 1,885 1,810 1,740 1,735 1,549 1,510 1,500 1,450 13,615 9,625 9,415 6,465 5,335 5,155 4,915 4,435 3,565 3,436 3,060 2,920 2,910 2,905 2,905 2,830 2,530 2,140 2,095 1,978 1,950 1,760 1,750 1,685 1,682 2013 French Open Review

All is quiet on the Wimbledon front as The All England Lawn Tennis Club prepares for its marquee event of the year.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Caroline Wozniacki looks to boost her grass game at Wimbledon after a semifinal showing at Eastbourne.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Seven-time champ Roger Federer should take a “home court advantage” when he steps onto Wimbledon’s Centre Court to defend his title.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Juan Martin del Potro faltered on the grass during his match against Lleyton Hewitt at Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club in London.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Lleyton Hewitt and Juan Martin del Potro exchange congratulations on a match well played at Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who made the semifinals the past two years at Wimbledon, hopes to continue his success on grass with another deep run in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s draw.

2013 Wimbledon Preview

Two-time champion Rafael Nadal returns to Wimbledon in hopes of completing the Channel Slam for the third time.

2013 Wimbledon Preview