BRAD GILBERT’S CONTENDERS
ANDY MURRAY (GB) Age 30, seed 1. Last year: Winner
APART from health issues, his struggles come down to finding the right balance between attack and defence. He is at his best when being aggressive with his forehand and second serve. The confidence from his run to the French Open semi-finals helped but his shock first-round exit at Queen’s was a setback. Andy loves grass, though. His movement is superb and I still expect a strong showing from him.
RAFAEL NADAL (Sp) Age 31, seed 4. Last year: DNP
IT TOOK until last year for Rafa to add a new voice to his team, and ex-No 1 Carlos Moya has made a difference. He serves with more variety than I have ever seen and trusts his backhand more, meaning he does not have to run around his forehand so much. If his knees do not disrupt him I am sure Rafa will play better on grass than he has for five years. He can be vulnerable in the first week though — he hasn’t made it past the fourth round since 2011.
ROGER FEDERER (Swi) Age 35, seed 3. Last year: SF
CREDIT to the Swiss master, you could tell he used his long break last year to improve his game, which is why he came back so spectacularly in Australia. The big change is his backhand, which is better than ever, especially off the return of serve. His ability to serve accurately and hit his chosen spots remains the best the sport has ever seen. A huge chance to win his 19th Slam.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (Ser) Age 30, seed 2. Last year: R3
WHATEVER the reasons behind his recent slide I believe there are two areas in particular where Djokovic (below) has slipped. His second serve has not been the same fearless shot we are used to and his backhand is missing more than it used to — he is struggling when the ball is hit deep to it. But his game is still suited to grass. Do not write him off.
STAN WAWRINKA (Swi) Age 32, seed 5. Last year: R2
HIRING Paul Annacone as a grass court consultant looks a smart move. The ‘Stanimal’ is playing wonderful tennis but Annacone will be working on his return of serve, which is a weakness on grass. He will hope for dry weather, making the courts harder and balls bounce higher. It is all about controlling the centre of the court and if he makes the second week he will be dangerous.
ANGELIQUE KERBER (Ger) Age 29, seed 1. Last year: Finalist
THE surprise star of 2016 has really struggled this year. She is a great counter puncher but has not found the right blend of defence and attack. Her transition from one to the other has been a problem. She has been one of the great over-achievers in the past 18 months, which is to her credit. She is an incredible scrambler at the back of the court and knows how to win a Slam.
SIMONA HALEP (Rom) Age 25, seed 2. Last year: QF
IT REMAINS to be seen how the Romanian reacts to losing that Paris final but she has two vital assets — a beautiful backhand and wonderful movement. She is one of those who will be hoping for a higher bounce and looking to add some aggression to her tried and tested defensive capabilities. She has been to the semis before, so knows what she’s doing here.
VENUS WILLIAMS (USA) Age 37, seed 10. Last year: SF
VENUS is my favourite. She still moves unbelievably well at her age and loves the surface. Grass suits her forehand because she is very comfortable with the ball’s bounce. She moves naturally on it, especially coming forward and her volleys are excellent. We could still have a Williams winner without Serena being here.
JO KONTA (GB) Age 26, seed 6. Last year: R2
THERE is no reason why she can’t put together her first really good Wimbledon, providing she is over that nasty fall at Eastbourne. Konta is a good athlete and has an excellent serve for her size — she hits her spots efficiently and lulls opponents with that slightly odd ball toss before delivering it at 115mph. She is proactive off the first ball but I would like to see a bit more variety, rather than flatout attack. If she gets through the early rounds and the crowd gets behind her, she can go very deep.
THE WOMEN’S FIELD
I THOUGHT 30 players could win the French Open. At Wimbledon I would say it is even more. Two Grand Slam champions are coming back from different experiences: Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka. Kvitova, who suffered nerve damage in her hand when she was stabbed by an intruder in her home, is a dangerous player and has to be taken seriously. Azarenka, after giving birth to her son Leo six months ago, always attacks and may play with more freedom. Just as Jelena Ostapenko came from left field in Paris, there may be a bolter from obscurity in London.