Championship Point?

Andy Murray began the grasscourt season with a victory at Queen’s club. He won an uneven final in the rain. It was a convincing win as he played his best tennis after losing the first set. It is his second victory at Queen’s club which is located over near Barons court. I went there a couple of times in the 1970’s when I recall seeing Roscoe Tanner serving wearing the tiniest and tightest white shorts I’ve ever seen. I guess in our misspent youth the best of us are victims to the worst excesses of fashion.

Murray is now well placed to have a second serious stab at Wimbledon. After losing to Federer last year he had the consolation of beating him on the Centre Court in SW19 and winning his Olympic gold medal. Gosh can that be a year ago – tempus fugit as those Romans said. Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer might all win the championship. Nadal has been particularly impressive since his return to the circuit after his long lay off with injury. He won the french open with a decisive victory over David Ferrer. federer is serving from the advantage of his first victory in Wimbledon a decade ago and his recent victory in Halle. in many ways he is the grass court player par excellence and could easily upset any of the top four on his day. Djokovic is still World number I; he defended his title in Australia and had great hardcourt tournament success in Cincinnati and Indian Wells. Which brings us back to Murray – he is better placed this year than last and I think he will reach his second final but knowing Andy Murray it will not necessarily be an easy path. This year he brings a new quality to this two weeks of unyielding mental pressure – he has already won his first grand slam title….he is hungry for his second.

Murray is currently world number 2 and he was is seeded 2 today –  below Djokovic. Federer is seeded third, Ferrer fourth and therefore Rafael Nadal is seed only 5. This will create interest in the draw for in theory Nadal could meet any of the three men at the top of the draw in the quarter finals.