Live from London: What to Look for at Wimbledon 2014

LONDON-Breitbart Sports is in England to cover Wimbledon from June 23 – July 6, providing live coverage of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament and insight into why this tournament is beloved even by non-tennis fans. With the first matches two days away, here’s what to look for:

1. Will Wimbledon 2014 Be Anything Like 2013?

After Wimbledon 2013, is it possible for anyone to comfortably make any predictions? Last year’s Wimbledon shook my confidence because it proved whatever possibly could happen will eventually happen. It was one of the craziest tournaments in all of sports as the majority of the top seeds on both sides were eliminated by the end of the third day. Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka were just a few of the stars eliminated or who withdrew because of injuries.

2. The Grass

Many people, including Sharapova, complained about the grass at Wimbledon. The tournament prides itself on being the top tennis tournament and no doubt the club hires the best grounds crew to maintain their historic courts. Complaint after complaint forced the club to defend the grass and insist nothing was wrong. However, especially in the first rounds when the grass was not broken in, players slipped and fell.

Could it be the shoes? Could it be the older players are losing their grip?

3. Andy Murray

In 2013, Murray became the first British man to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1938. Wimbledon obviously holds a special place in his heart. He expressed this post-tournament: “I accomplished Wimbledon. Everything else is minor.” He advances far in tournaments, but there is something slightly off in his play. He hired Amelie Mauresmo as his coach for the grass season, which shows he takes this part of the year seriously. He will not repeat, but he will give it his all and play his best. 

4. New Women’s Champion

Wimbledon 2013 champion Marion Bartoli retired, which means there will be a new champion on the women’s side. But who? The popular and logical choice is Serena Williams. But Canadian Eugenie Bouchard made the semi-finals in the Australian Open and French open. Why not her?

5. Men’s Dark Horse

Juan Martin del Potro is usually my dark horse in tournaments, but he is out due to wrist surgery. I think Grigor Dimitrov will give the top seeds a lot of trouble on the men’s side and could cause potential upsets. A few call him “Mini Federer” and while I see a young Federer in Dimitrov, I do not think he will win Wimbledon. But if he pulls through (he was eliminated in the first round at the French Open) I see him beating David Ferrer.

6. Men’s Tournament

Dimitrov has what it takes to beat the top seeds, but is not quite ready. Nadal is not a good grass player and his draw is horrendous. It’s between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Djokovic wants to make up for his loss in 2013 and in the final at the French Open.

7. Women’s Tournament

Serena Williams. It is a boring pick, but how can anyone not pick her? She is her own worst enemy. When she loses it is not because the other player was better; it is because Serena loses control and cannot maintain focus. If she does lose, expect to see Maria Sharapova as the winner. She is still on a high from her French Open win and the energy boost could help her.