By Sven Eick

The Open Championships return to Wimbledon on the 22nd of June, 2009. This year’s tournament will mark the end of an era - specifically one that saw crowds clustered beneath black umbrellas on rain-drenched courts. All the biggest matches this year will take place beneath the retractable roof that now protects center court from the elements.

Architectural innovation aside, the 2009 Wimbledon Open Championships promises to deliver a two-week programme replete with historic achievements, stunning upsets and marathon five set duels.

Women’s Singles Draw
Women’s tennis is as open as it has been in decades, with any one of the WTA’s top twenty ranked players capable of beating one another on any given day. This situation will produce a highly competitive women’s singles tournament and fans are likely to witness a number of upsets in the build up to the women’s singles final.

Bookmakers have priced Serena Williams ahead of sister Venus as the two favourites to take the title in 2009. While both Venus and Serena have failed to set the tennis courts alight in 2009, both have Wimbledon records that command respect, and few would bet against a Williams lifting the Rosewater dish for the 8th time in 10 years.

Maria Sharapova is one of the players who could take the women’s singles draw by the scruff of the neck this year. After making a promising return to grand slam tennis at the French Open, Sharapova will be returning to her favourite surface and could be the player to beat if she hits top gear at Wimbledon.


There are several other genuine contenders for the Wimbledon title who deserve a mention, including form French Open finalists Svetlana Kuznetsova and Dinara Safina. The likes of Victoria Azarenka and Elena Dementieva are impossible to discount, and a semifinal appearance by the likes of Dominika Cibulkova or Vera Zvonareva would be unlikely to raise eyebrows.

Men’s Singles Draw
The spotlight falls squarely on Roger Federer in the men’s singles draw. The world number two is back to his best form following a first title victory at the French Open, and Federer will be seeking to achieve a record-setting 15th grand slam victory at Wimbledon in 2009.

Federer may be assisted in his quest by the knees of Rafael Nadal, which are proving to be resistant to treatment, and may prevent the world number one from even attempting to defend his title. With Nadal’s participation in the tournament uncertain Federer’s main title rival is likely to be home favourite Andy Murray, who has matured enormously since his outing against Federer in the 2008 US Open final.

Fans will expect Federer and Murray to be joined in the latter stages of the 2009 Wimbledon Open Championships by 4th ranked Novak Djokovic. However, a semifinal place is most definitely up for grabs in the men’s draw, and young guns like Jo Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin del Potro can be expected to put in strong challenges for places in the knockout round.

Conclusion
Whether or not Wimbledon bloods new champions in 2009, or simply allows former champions to put the finishing touches to their legendary careers, it is certain to keep tennis fans glued to their screens until the covers are draped over center court for yet another year.

2009 Wimbledon Preview