Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Get court up in all the excitement
Wimbledon is back and RICHARD JONES says the tournament is guaranteed to serve up some drama
MAKE some racket – after two years of Covid-related disruption, Wimbledon is back with a bang.
After the pandemic put paid to the 2020 tournament, and last year’s even saw a reduced-capacity, SW19 will be back to its brilliant best.
Not only will the 2022 tournament mark the return of fans without any restrictions, but Wimbledon is also celebrating another special milestone – the centenary of the iconic Centre Court.
Although everyone is thrilled to have Wimbledon back to normality, this year’s Championships, will also be tinged with sadness, as BBC tennis presenter Sue
Barker has announced she will be stepping down after this year’s tournament.
The broadcaster offered the 66-yearold a three-year contract extension, but after the death of her mother Betty earlier this year, she decided to turn it down.
“It has been my dream job and I have loved every minute of it working with so many great colleagues who I am going to miss so much,” she says.
There won’t be a dry eye in the house when Sue hangs up her mic following the men’s final on Sunday, July 10. But first, there is a feast of world-class tennis to enjoy.
Men’s singles champion Novak Djokovic kicks off the action on Centre Court as he begins his quest to win his fourth straight Wimbledon title. Victory at SW19 will take the Serb star one ahead of Roger Federer and one behind Rafael Nadal who has 22 Grand Slam titles to his name after winning at Roland Garros.
Other than Djokovic and Nadal (if he plays), the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Denis Shapovalov and last year’s runner-up Matteo Berrettini will all be hoping for success.
Then there’s two-time former champion Andy Murray – can the Scot mount another serious challenge? His recent form at the Stuttgart Open, suggests he might have a surprise or two left in him yet.
Unlike previous years, there are other British hopes in the men’s draw. Cameron Norrie has enjoyed a stellar couple of years, but has never gone beyond the third round of a Grand Slam, so he will be hoping for improvement.
On the women’s side, Polish sensation Iga Swiatek is already a twotime Grand Slam winner after capturing another French Open title a few weeks ago.
Her main challenger at Wimbledon could be Coco Gauff – the 18-year-old from Florida who was beaten by Swiatek in the Paris final.
Finally, if she takes part, much of the British focus will be on Emma Raducanu.
Since her incredible US Open triumph last year, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year has struggled with injuries, illness and loss of form, so she will go into Wimbledon as an outsider.
Nevertheless, with Ashleigh Barty now retired, there is an opportunity for a new All England champion.
And if Emma, or any other of the Brits, could triumph in Sue’s final tournament as presenter and in the Centre Court’s 100th year, it would make it even more special.
■ Wimbledon 2022 is on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer