The weeks just after Roland Garros are some of the most understatedly enjoyable in tennis. With the end of spring, clay turns to grass, and over the course of 24 hours, the sport is transformed. Sliding is out, serving is in, and there’s a new, clipped, quiet cadence to the game.
There’s also, on the men’s side, a new sheriff on tour. As has been the case for the last 13 years, Roger Federer picked up the baton from Rafael Nadal this week. The Swiss followed the Spaniard’s 11th win on clay at the French Open by starting his own drive toward his ninth win on grass at Wimbledon. With his title in Stuttgart this weekend, he has already taken the No. 1 ranking back from Rafa.
Federer is in action again this week in Halle, where he leads one of four small, strong pre-Wimbledon fields. Here’s a look at what’s at stake at those events, and how they may play out.