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Steve Tignor
Executive Editor |
 Rafael Nadal: He has a tough draw, but if he survives it, he matches up well against the guys he would probably face at the end.
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 Serena Williams: She might have to play Maria Sharapova early, but that might be just the thing to get the defending champion focused for the second week, a time when she usually shines at Wimbledon.
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Sarah Unke
Editor, TENNIS.com |
 Andy Murray: He’s gotta win a Slam sometime, right? A title for Murray at the Championships would be the fairy tale Britain’s been waiting for. Nadal, who was untouchable all clay season, is in his half, but the world No. 1 will have to contend with big men Ernests Gulbis, John Isner and Robin Soderling in his quarter. A lot of things will have to go right, but Murray is too good not to win a major in his career.
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 Venus Williams: Williams is in the more difficult half of the women’s draw, and if she makes the final, there’s an excellent chance she’ll face her sister Serena, who beat her in last year’s final. But the five-time Wimbledon champion has a beautiful game for grass, and I think the 30-year-old has one last Wimbledon title in her. Let’s just hope she wears an outfit that’s sensible for playing championship tennis.
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Peter Bodo
Senior Editor |
 Andy Roddick: The one thing we know for sure is that we won’t have a repeat of last year’s Wimbledon final, as Roger Federer and Roddick are in the same half of the draw. Given Federer’s inconsistent play since he won the Australian Open, I think he’s ripe for the taking—or as close to it as he’s been since he first earned the No. 1 ranking.
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Venus Williams: It’s her turn, right? I mean, one of the two Williams sisters has won Wimbledon in eight of the past 10 years. And both girls have grass-court games that present enormous problems for their main rivals. But Venus will need to be extra careful in the early rounds, because she’s been somewhat erratic at Grand Slams this year. |
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Tom Perrotta
Senior Editor |
 Roger Federer: It’s not 2008, when everyone knew that Federer and Nadal would meet in the men’s final. They’re still the two favorites, but Nadal has a tricky draw and Federer hasn’t played like Federer since the Australian Open. Still, I’m picking him because he hasn’t played a bad match at the All England Club since 2002. This is his event, and he doesn’t want Nadal to take it away from him again.
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Venus Williams: First, the obvious reasons: Venus loves the lawn (she has won this event five times) and she has a good draw (her sister doesn’t). But I’m picking her because she won’t have too many more chances here, now that she’s 30 years old. Despite her defeat in last year’s final, Venus remains (at least in my book) the best grass-court player of her generation. A victory in two weeks would prove it. |
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Bill Gray
Senior Editor |
Rafael Nadal: Nadal is pretty much a lock to cruise to the crown, just as he did at Roland Garros. But the big drama of the fortnight will be the probable semifinal match-up between Federer and Roddick. I’m predicting Roddick gets revenge for last year’s loss in the final against the Swiss. |
 Samantha Stosur: This could be a wide-open Wimbledon for the women, but my hunch is to go with Stosur, mainly because she has the hottest hand on the WTA tour this year with 35 wins, more than any other player. And the Williams sisters look strangely vulnerable this season. I think Sam will knock off both—Serena in the semis and Venus in the final.
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David Rosenberg
Photo Editor |
Rafael Nadal: This pick isn’t based on current form—Rafa suffered an early loss at Queen’s Club. Then again, what do the warm-up events dictate? I’m going with my gut and believe Nadal is ready to pick up his second Wimbledon title. |
Venus Williams: Venus has been playing solid tennis heading into Wimbledon. Combine that with her history of amping up her game at the All England Club and she'll be tough to beat. |
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Ed McGrogan
Assistant Editor, TENNIS.com |
Andy Roddick: It seems crazy to say that Roddick will notch just his third win in 22 tries against Federer at the All England Club, but it’s been an equally crazy year for the Swiss. He’s been vulnerable since the Aussie Open, especially against players with poor lifetime records against him. Call it a hunch, but Roddick gets it done in the semis, then collects his long-awaited second Slam. |
Venus Williams: The serve still pays dividends on grass, and Venus has one of the game’s best. Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin should make for an entertaining fourth-rounder, but neither should threaten Venus. But the five-time Wimbledon champ will get tested in this tournament, most sternly by Serena in the final. This year, the older sister shows who’s boss. |
