Wimbledon 2012 by Dominic Bliss
With the big four slugging it out at the top of the men’s game, and the women’s draw looking more open than ever, this year’s Wimbledon has all the makings of a classic. Journalists from around the world reveal what they’ll be looking out for.
We Brits often forget the phenomenal impact that Wimbledon has on the sporting culture of all nations around the world. With over 8,000 hours of tennis broadcast to nearly 200 territories globally, the tournament has a potential TV audience of 700 million households.
Just what do those householders think of the All England Club and the players that compete there? Who better to find out from than the international journalists responsible for reporting on Wimbledon? In this article, top tennis correspondents from the USA, Australia, Italy, Serbia and Switzerland reveal what intrigues them about this year’s Championships.
Our man in the USA: Christopher Clarey, New York Times
Our man in Switzerland: Simon Graf, Tages-Anzeiger
Our man in Australia: Craig Gabriel, tennis writer and broadcaster
Our man in Italy: Lorenzo Cazzaniga, Tennis Best magazine
Our man in Serbia: Vojin Velickovic, Sportski zurnal
Which players will you be following most closely this year?
Christopher Clarey: I’m curious to see how John Isner adapts this year after all his promising results on clay and hard courts in recent months. I’m even more curious than usual to see what Andy Murray and Roger Federer can muster. I’d like to see how Venus Williams fares on the grass if she makes it to Wimbledon despite her health challenges.
Simon Graf: The big four men because they are evenly matched and provide us with great rivalries.
Craig Gabriel: I’ll be keeping an eye on Li Na for my Chinese TV reports. For my native Australia it will be Sam Stosur and Lleyton Hewitt. I’m not figuring any of them will be holding up trophies, though.
Lorenzo Cazzaniga: Roger Federer because it is one of his last chances to win a Grand Slam and close the debate on who is the greatest of all time. And I’ll be watching the qualies. I love the stories of the players fighting for their place in paradise.
Vojin Velickovic: Novak Djokovic, of course. He is defending champion and he wishes not only to win Wimbledon again, but to add Olympic gold on the same lawns.
You’ve interviewed hundreds of players in your time. Which do you find most amusing?
Christopher Clarey: The best interview in tennis at the moment is actually a double act: The Bryan twins are quick-witted, fun and willing to tackle potentially sensitive topics that other players probably would not touch with a long-body racket. They can also rein in the jokes and get serious when appropriate.
Simon Graf: Federer is always interesting to talk to, especially for us Swiss. And Djokovic is probably the most amusing – a guy with great humour.
Craig Gabriel: Roddick is always amusing, but he can be very cutting with people, especially if English is not their first language. He’s so quick with his comments. Djokovic tries to be amusing but sometimes it seems a bit forced.
Lorenzo Cazzaniga: Andy Roddick. He always says what he’s really thinking about. Not like the most of the other players.
Vojin Velickovic: Novak Djokovic. We all know how charismatic he is. It is a great privilege for me to work in an era when my country has that great champion
Everyone loves Centre Court. But which other place in the All England Club do you find really special?
Christopher Clarey: Wimbledon remains a great spectacle, but it has lost some of its charm and intimacy in recent years in its urge to modernise. I’m still in denial about the old Court No.2, with its crow’s nest viewing platform.
Simon Graf: Henman Hill, where the atmosphere reminds me of a huge garden party. And overlooking the site from the balcony of the broadcast centre at sunset is quite unique.
Craig Gabriel: I think Court 18 has taken on a new life since the marathon match between Isner and Mahut. They seem to be putting a few more of the bigger matches on that court now. You are looking down on the players. It can be an intimidating court for the players because of that. People are also looking over the balcony from the top of the broadcast centre.
Lorenzo Cazzaniga: I love Aorangi Park, with a beer. And the outside courts where you can get so close to the players.
Vojin Velickovic: Henman Hill. This is one of the main reasons why Wimbledon is unique.
How has Wimbledon managed to maintain its position as the world’s most famous tennis tournament?
Christopher Clarey: It is the oldest major tournament, and it is distinctive as the only Grand Slam left on grass. It also benefits from the ongoing fascination with Britains' privileged class enjoying its privileges. But Wimbledon has avoided becoming a museum piece by staying on the leading edge in terms of facilities, prize money and media coverage.
Simon Graf: Because it cultivates its traditions. That’s the best branding there is.
Craig Gabriel: Just as Lords is the home of cricket, and St Andrews is the home of golf, so Wimbledon is the home of tennis. There’s a sense that this is where it all began. What is so amazing about Wimbledon is that it holds on to things of the past but changes to reflect the modern times.
Lorenzo Cazzaniga: The tradition. The fact there are no sponsors around. And the way some matches are so quiet that you feel like you’re in a church.
Vojin Velickovic: The traditions, the beauty of the stadia, the green colour scheme, and the fact that every child, since his first contact with a tennis racket, dreams of conquering Wimbledon.
In Britain we are ashamed that no man has won Wimbledon since 1936. Are fans in your country conscious of this?
Christopher Clarey: Even casual American tennis fans are surely aware that it’s been a long time, even for a history-drenched Brit, since one of yours won the men’s title.
Simon Graf: It's always a good story during Wimbledon. So if tennis fans in Switzerland read newspapers, they are well aware of it.
Craig Gabriel: Yes. People who follow tennis in Australia are totally aware if it. And it is absolutely cause for amusement. But it is very, very tough for a player to win their country’s Grand Slam because the pressure is enormous.
Lorenzo Cazzaniga: I don’t think Italians are too worried. They sleep well at night knowing no Brit has won it for years.
Vojin Velickovic: Fans in Serbia right now have a lot of other things to occupy their attention. This is the best period in Serbian tennis history; so many big players at the same time.
Can Andy Murray really win Wimbledon?
Christopher Clarey: Even in this era when it’s brutal at the top of the sport, Murray is certainly capable. His record on grass is enviable; his talent undeniable. But I still think his chances are better of winning a Grand Slam title away from home and on a hard court.
Simon Graf: He has to be the man to break the curse. He’s simply too gifted not to win a major. But I think he has his best chance in Melbourne or New York.
Craig Gabriel: Yes. Up to the beginning of this year I did not think Murray would win a major. But the fact that he’s teamed up with Ivan Lendl… I’m starting to notice the differences. They have struck up a very good relationship. Ivan is the type of person perfectly suited to Murray. There’s been so much criticism of Murray over the years, and Ivan can relate to that because the media constantly criticised him. To have someone who’s been through the trenches like Ivan is a major plus for Murray.
Lorenzo Cazzaniga: Yes, one day Murray will win. The statistics suggest it. Provided, of course, another Federer doesn’t come along soon.
Vojin Velickovic: If he doesn’t do it, I’m afraid you will have to wait another 76 years. Murray is close, but it doesn’t just depend on him; it depends on the other top guys, too.
BLOW QUOTES
“I think Court 18 has taken on a new life since the marathon match between Isner and Mahut. They seem to be putting a few more of the bigger matches on that court now.” Craig Gabriel, Australian tennis correspondent.
“If Murray doesn’t win Wimbledon, I’m afraid you will have to wait another 76 years for a British winner.” Vojin Velickovic, Serbian tennis correspondent