Wimbledon most open in a decade, says Lopez

THIS year’s men’s singles at Wimbledon promises to be the most open in a decade, according to Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez, who is quietly fancying his own chances of a deep run.

While Roger Federer was winning a ninth Halle title on Sunday afternoon to mark himself out as favourite, fellow 35-year-old Lopez rounded off a magical week on the Queen’s Club lawns by winning the Aegon Championships. Left-hander Lopez said he was playing the best tennis of his career.

Few would argue with that after victories against world No 3 Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych, Grigor Dimitrov and finally Marin Cilic in the space of a week.

“Considering the results of the best players in the world, it is true that it is probably the most open Wimbledon in the last 10 years, I will say,” Lopez said.

He was referring to the struggles of Wimbledon champion and world No 1 Andy Murray and three-time winner Novak Djokovic.

“Roger is playing great. He’s not playing much, but when he’s playing, he’s winning.

“Novak and Andy, it’s true they are not playing their best, I will say, and Rafa [Nadal] hasn’t played on grass for a long time.

“So it’s probably a little bit more open.”

Lopez, for all his elegant grasscourt skills and one of the most devilish serves in tennis, has only made three Wimbledon quarterfinals in 15 visits.

After a thrilling Queen’s final against Cilic in which he saved a match point before clinching a final set tiebreak 10-8, Lopez clearly believes his best Wimbledon run might still be ahead of him, possibly in the next few weeks.

Lopez, ranked 25th yesterday and seeded at Wimbledon, said: “Tennis is a unique sport. Anything can happen.

“I’m going into Wimbledon with a lot of confidence.

“But next week the draw has to be done. And then I hope I can still play in the same way.

“Winning here [is] the best preparation I can have.”

Lopez is the first Spaniard to win at Queen’s since Nadal in 2008, after which the Mallorcan won Wimbledon.

Nadal, 31, will arrive this time having just claimed a 10th French Open but with no competitive grasscourt play, having pulled out of the Queen’s Club event. – Reuters