Tennis

Federer eyes record at new-look Wimbledon

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-06-25 09:28

Roger Federer begins his quest to emulate Bjorn Borg's record of five successive Wimbledon titles on Monday at an All England Club that has undergone a few changes.

The citadel of grasscourt tennis is in a state of transition and for the first time since 1922 there will be no roof over Centre Court.

The club is in the midst of a three-year modernisation project which includes building a retractable roof over the main show court and Federer expects a battle with the elements as well as with his opponent Teimuraz Gabashvili when he plays his first match on grass for 12 months.

"The wind is maybe going to have a bit of an effect on the way we play. Maybe it's harder to keep the ball in play because of the wind," the world number one said.

Among the other changes fans can look forward to is the introduction of Hawkeye technology.

Players will be allowed three incorrect challenges per set using the electronic line-calling system and the results will be played back on giant screens on Centre and Court One.

The screens, however, could come in handy to entertain the spectators as rain is forecast for most of the opening week of the grasscourt slam.

PATIENCE

Amelie Mauresmo will not begin the defence of her title until Tuesday against American Jamea Jackson but she is already well versed in the main requirements needed to win a Wimbledon crown.

"Patience -- that's sometimes a key word here at Wimbledon," she said.

Patience is something that British fans are all too familiar with as Tim Henman will once again shoulder the nation's hopes of ending a 71-year-wait for a home-grown men's singles champion.

Weather permitting, Henman is expected to follow Federer on to Centre Court for an intriguing meeting with former French Open champion Carlos Moya.

But British prospects appear extremely bleak this year as Andy Murray has withdrawn after failing to recover from a wrist injury, while Henman has managed to win only two tour matches all year and is ranked 78th in the world.

Third seed Andy Roddick was left to curse his luck when he was drawn in the same half as Federer.

But before the American can even start looking towards narrowing a 13-1 losing record against the Swiss in a possible semi-final showdown, he will have to negotiate compatriot Justin Gimelstob.

Justine Henin has been unstoppable for the past month and will be carrying an 11-match winning streak into Wimbledon when she begins her campaign to complete her collection of grand slam titles.

The French Open champion should have little trouble in overwhelming little-known Argentine qualifier Jorgelina Cravero.

Former champions Serena Williams and Martina Hingis will also be eager to test their grasscourt form but may end up twiddling their thumbs in the locker rooms because the opening day's schedule is expected to be a washout.