Talk of a easy draw can be irrelevant on grass

The third Grand Slam of the year is always a homecoming for me and happily, Novak Djokovic too has begun to enjoy his time at SW19. Wimbledon starts on Monday and will test whether Team Novak’s decision to take a break from the circuit after his defeat at the French Open will bear fruit.

It was a conscious decision by Novak to not play any grasscourt tournament before Wimbledon. He has been playing a lot of tennis since the start of the year, possibly more matches than any of the other top five have. It had been an intense clay season for him, and one he had a lot of success in. It’s a surface that demands a lot in terms of fitness and stamina and the defeat against Stanislas Wawrinka was a tough blow for the world number one.

Sometimes, it’s best to move away from it all and take a break from the tournament grind to simply focus on one’s own game. He is the top seed and knows how to win at The Open and the last few weeks have given him ample time to get match-ready.

It’s a late start to Wimbledon this year and most players will look fresh and hungry as they enter the tournament. Novak’s first round match is against Philipp Kohlschreiber, who can be a dangerous opponent, and really, talk of a ‘good, easy draw’ is quite irrelevant at Wimbledon. The absence of Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal on this side of the draw does not mean there are no dangers lurking. Grass is a surface on which many relatively unsung players fancy their chances and all players need to be wary.

The other seeds have been playing the grasscourt circuit and it has to be said that Murray looked in top form when he won the Queens for the fourth time. He is now looking stronger, fitter and tournament ready. His serve was so crucial when he won here a couple of years ago and is serving at least as well has he did then.

Federer went back to Halle as he always does before his campaign at Wimbledon. I know how he feels about this tournament, and he will always be a strong contender in this Grand Slam where he still looks like the man to beat. Nadal, also a former champion, might be a notch below his titanic standards but he is emerging from his fitness problems so let’s see where he reaches this year. He must be hurting and hungry for success after missing out on his annual ritual of winning the French Open.

However, for me, the big threat is at number four in the form of Wawrinka. He is playing the best tennis of his life and his power might make him very difficult on grass. His movement on court too is looking better than ever before. Importantly, he now believes he can win.

Looking across at the women’s, Serena Williams has always been a favourite at this tournament – her early exit last year notwithstanding. However, the defending champion, Petra Kvitova, too, has a big game for grass. She possesses an excellent left-hand serve and is lightning quick across the court. Petra is perhaps the only player who can match Serena groundstroke for groundstroke at the moment.

-Gameplan