Wimbledon 2008
It is time to get out the strawberries and cream...Wimbledon has arrived! Can Roger Federer make it six titles in a row? Nadal and Djokovic, the world numbers two and three respectively, will be considered the greatest threats.
Few players have a winning record against Federer. Nadal, at 11-6, is the only one to have done it consistently. But, Rafael Nadal lost to Federer in the past two Wimbledon finals.
However, throughout 2008, Federer’s dominance of the men's singles has been challenged on multiple fronts: Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Mardy Fish , Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Radek Stepanek have all beaten the Swiss this year...
Federer is vulnerable after his recent defeat to Nadal in the French Open final and lack of a Grand Slam title this year. The Australian Open was won by Djokovic who beat Federer in the semifinals.
Roger Federer was last beaten on the grass courts of the All England Club by Mario Ancic in the first round of 2002. Since then he has been undefeated here in 35 matches, winning 102 sets and losing just eight, and 671 games to 394. That incredible run has taken Federer to the brink of history, he is just seven victories away from a record sixth consecutive title, one better than Bjorn Borg.
While the men must rise to knock Roger Federer off his throne, the women’s crown is up for grabs, a fact compounded by the retirement of world No.1 Justine Henin. Venus Williams has played indifferently all season, but the defending champion, and her sister Serena, are always formidable at Wimbledon. Venus will be looking for a fifth Wimbledon title at this year's tournament, while Serena will be hoping to add to her back-to-back crowns in 2002 and 2003.
Dates: June 23-July 6, 2008
Play is scheduled to start on Centre and No. 1 Courts at 1pm for the first eleven days of play and at 2pm on finals days. On all other courts the play is scheduled to start at midday for at least the first eight days and 11am for junior matches on the middle Saturday and during the second week.