MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015 SPORTS Djokovic eyes Wimbledon healing after Paris misery

LONDON: insists his heart- breaking final defeat has been consigned to history as he begins his Wimbledon title defence today. The world number one had stayed resolutely out of the spotlight since his Roland Garros upset by ended his latest bid to complete the career . But the Serb says he is fired up to defend his Wimbledon crown just as he was in 2011 when he captured his maiden title in London. “I needed some time off, more mentally rather than physically,” said eight-time major winner Djokovic who faces world number 33 German in a tough Monday opener. “I know it could have been useful to play a couple of official matches on grass, but it’s not the first time I’m coming straight into Wimbledon.” Djokovic’s loss to Wawrinka in Paris was just his third defeat in 44 matches this year. With the already under his belt, the shattering loss ended his chances of going on to become just the third man in histo- ry-and first since 1969 — to clinch a calendar Grand Slam. But such Paris disappointments have previ- ously worked in his favor. His 2011 semi-final loss to at Roland Garros ended a 41-match win streak that year. However, just four weeks later, he defeated to secure a first Wimbledon title and then went on to his maiden US Open tri- umph. Djokovic is also the most consistent of the top players at the majors-the last time he failed to make at least the quarter-finals of a Grand WIMBLEDON: US player Serena Williams is seen at the practice court at The All Slam was at Roland Garros in 2009. England Club in Wimbledon, southwest London. —AFP World number two and seven-time Wimbledon champion Federer, who won the last of his 17 majors at the All England Club in Plaudits pour in for Serena 2012, is seeded to meet Djokovic in the July 12 final. LONDON: Serena Williams arrives at very difficult to beat her. She won in Roland He will be 34 in August-the oldest man to Wimbledon for the latest stage of her bid Garros, that probably was the most difficult win Wimbledon in the modern era was Arthur for an historic calendar Grand Slam with one for her. She has the right game to play Ashe who was 31 years and 11 months when he the praise of her peers ringing in her ears. well in Wimbledon. If she really does it, it triumphed at the All England Club in 1975. Williams has swept to victory at the will be amazing,” Nadal said. Federer fervently believes that another Australian and French Opens over the last “My feeling is she has much more pow- Wimbledon is not beyond him and he was six months and a sixth Wimbledon crown er than the others. That’s a big advantage buoyed by his eighth Halle title last weekend. would leave the world number one within in the women’s game. Her shots are hit a lot LONDON: Current Wimbledon men’s singles champion Serbia’s Novak Djokovic gestures dur- “If I look at last year, I see more the positives touching distance of becoming the first differently than the other women.” ing a press conference at the Wimbledon Championships. —AP than actually the heart-breaking loss in the woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win all No-one has had a more up-close look at final,” said Federer, defeated in five sets by better,” said Murray, who begins his campaign Despite Wawrinka’s second major title at the four majors in the same year. Serena’s ability to blast her way to victory Djokovic in 2014. against of Kazakhstan. French Open, the dominance of the sport’s four The 33-year-old American’s march to a than Maria Sharapova, the five-time Grand “I didn’t expect myself to right away make Two-time champion Rafael Nadal is seeded heavyweights is unlikely to be seriously threat- memorable milestone has reached the All Slam champion who has now lost 17 of the final. It goes to show that last year, I wasn’t 10 — his lowest position for a decade. The nine- ened at Wimbledon where , in England Club, where she opens against their 19 career meetings, including this playing great and I made the finals.” Federer time French Open champion was beaten for 2002, was the last champion from outside the Russian qualifier Margarita Gasparyan. year’s Australian Open final. starts his campaign against Bosnia’s Damir only the second time in his Paris career by “Big Four”. And her exploits have captured the Sharapova, who won her 2004 Dzumhur, who he beat in the French Open third Djokovic in a morale-sapping quarter-final loss. Wawrinka has never got beyond the quarter- attention of fellow players in both the Wimbledon title with a famous final upset round. He then clinched the Stuttgart grass-court finals, while fifth-ranked can only female and male locker rooms. Asked to of Serena, is regarded as one of the only , the 2013 champion, saw his title which only proved to be a false dawn as boast a fourth-round best. World number six assess Serena’s place in history and her credible challengers to Williams’ bid to 2014 campaign sabotaged by a combination of just days later the 29-year-old was losing to Tomas Berdych was runner-up in 2010 but has chances of achieving the calender Slam, wrestle the trophy from defending champi- back pain and an inspired in the Alexander Dolgopolov in his Queen’s opener. since only made the quarter-finals on one occa- Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Maria on Petra Kvitova. But, despite a prickly rela- quarter-finals. His recent trips to Wimbledon have also been sion. Among the rest of the top 10, ’s Sharapova all offered glowing reviews of tionship with Serena, she admitted the But the 28-year-old world number three, chastening affairs, featuring losses in the sec- David Ferrer was forced to withdraw on the eve the 20-time Grand Slam champion. Few American, a potential semi-final opponent, fresh from a record-equalling fourth Queen’s ond, first and fourth rounds. of the tournament due to an elbow injury. know the pressures of competing for a is the overwhelming favorite. Club title, believes he’s playing better than Nadal joked that he was coming into US Open champion Marin Cilic is expected to place in history more than Federer, who “Yeah, absolutely. She’s certainly the when he secured his historic Wimbledon tri- Wimbledon fully attuned to being on grass. “I mount a strong challenge, while , will attempt to win a record-breaking player to beat having won the last three umph. “Physically I’m definitely in a better place played golf,” he smiled as he recalled how he who recently underwent foot surgery, was a eighth Wimbledon title-which would take majors. I think those results speak for her- than I was then and I’m using my variety much spent his time at home in Mallorca last week. semi-finalist in 2014. —AFP his all-time best tally of Grand Slam tro- self,” said Sharapova, whose Wimbledon phies to 18. opener is against British wildcard Johanna The Swiss great marvels at Serena’s Konta. longevity and believes the greatest threat “I think it always comes down to consis- Nishikori feels no to her chances is looking ahead to the fin- tency. It’s one thing to do it at one or two ish line at the US Open in August. events, but to have that level to be able to pressure ahead of “When she plays on her terms you do it consistently is pretty incredible.” would think Wimbledon and the US Open After reaching the French Open final first major bid would be the easier ones to win, especially and then the Wimbledon semi-finals last with her serve. But that’s exactly when you year, Romanian third seed Simona Halep LONDON: Kei Nishikori has shrugged off the pressure of have a hiccup,” Federer said. “So it’s all could also fluster Serena, who has failed to being Japan’s highest-seeded player at Wimbledon in the about focus right now, sometimes just make the quarter-finals in her last two Open era and believes he is getting closer to the levels of grinding through some matches. appearances at the All England Club. the world’s top players. “Once she gets to the final, she’s always However, ahead of her first round tie going to be the favorite. “I’m not surprised against Slovakia’s Jana Cepelova, Halep US Open runner-up Nishikori is the fifth seed in the she’s still at the top. To be mentally ready admitted she is in awe of Serena’s achieve- men’s single at the All England Club, surpassing the seed- for the challenge, that’s what’s so ments and expects to see her succeed at ing of compatriot Kimiko Date-Krumm, who was seeded admirable about her.” Wimbledon and US Open over the coming sixth in the women’s draw in 1994 and 1995. Having Nadal has 14 Grand Slam titles to his months. “Serena has two (Grand Slams) this reached the Australian and French Open quarter-finals name, including two at Wimbledon, and, year already, so she can do it. It’s pretty this year, Nishikori is aiming to go at least one better than like Serena, his success has often been amazing,” Halep said. “She’s a great champi- his career-best fourth-round exit at Wimbledon in 2014 achieved by overpowering opponents, so it on. She has a lot of power. She’s very strong when the tournament begins today. is no surprise to see the Spaniard salute her mentally. “I admire her a lot. I have learned The world number five says his Florida base helps him blistering serve and thunderous ground- many things from her. You know, she is the to avoid the weight of expectation coming from tennis strokes. “When Serena is playing well, it is best player in the world.”—AFP fans in Japan as he focuses on trying to win a first grand slam title. “I don’t feel any pressure from Japan, you know, because I live in the United States,” he told a news LONDON: In this July 2, 2014, file photo, Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland prepares to Dimitrov hopes to turn conference at the All England Club on Saturday. play a return to compatriot Roger Federer during their men’s singles quarterfinal “In the match, I just try to focus what I have to do. I try match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships. —AP Wimbledon upside down not to think too much about outside things. I mean, I feel pressure sometimes, but I think I’m handling really well.” LONDON: With his knees looped over the he is ready and primed to improve on his Nishikori beat each of the world’s top four, Novak Wawrinka doesn’t want Big yellow handrails of a moving London 2014 showing. “Obviously reaching the semi- Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Stan Underground train, Grigor Dimitrov raised finals was one of the biggest highlights in my Wawrinka, in 2014. “I think I’m getting close. I mean, not Four to become Fab Five some curious glances from fellow passengers career so far. I’m excited to be back on the like winning a lot of titles yet, but I’ve beaten them a cou- LONDON: Being a member of tennis’ Big Four beat them when I play them, that’s it.” as he hung upside down from the horizontal grass at Wimbledon,” said the 24-year-old, ple times. The next goal is to win the Masters or to win a might be the burning ambition of many play- “Beat them” he certainly did because just bars this week. who could run into world number one Novak ers but Stan Wawrinka is in no rush to join the as he toppled the top two seeds to capture “Feeling silly!” he tweeted to his 200,000 Djokovic in a repeat of last year’s semi. grand slam,” Nishikori said. The Japanese has overcome the calf injury that forced him to retire in his semi-final ranks and redefine that club as the Fab Five. the Park title 18 months ago, he plus followers as he headed for Wimbledon’s “Last year I had a great run so why not The man who belted down backhand bul- again proved to be the dark destroyer in Paris. All England Club. What the Bulgarian now repeat it and why not get a step further. The against in Halle last week and is ready for his first-round match against Italy’s . lets to crush Novak Djokovic’s French Open With much of the focus on whether hopes is that he will be able to show off his only thing I can do ... is fight the battles. If I do dream, thus denying the Serb a chance to Djokovic could win the one title he yearns for gymnastics skills to a wider audience come that in a good way and a good manner I think “It’s going to be tough for sure. We played five sets last complete his collection of grand slam titles, more than any other or whether nine-times men’s final day on July 12. things will happen for me,” added the 11th year (which Nishikori narrowly won),” he said. “He’s good now owns two majors thanks to his success at champion Nadal could stretch his victories “If I win I will roll upside down on the seed, who is coached by Lleyton Hewitt’s for- on grass but I’ve had a good preparation and I’m feeling Roland Garros earlier this month. into double figures, barely anyone paid atten- court. So if I get to that point, every one will mer coach Roger Rasheed. good.”—Reuters That is the same number of slams won by tion to what Wawrinka was doing with his get to see my acrobatics live!,” Dimitrov told “I’m the only one who puts the pressure Andy Murray, one of the bona fide members wondrous backhand. Reuters in an interview as he broke down in on me. I just focus on myself and work hard of the Big Four, but Wawrinka cares little In fact his bizarre red and white checked laughter. “I got bored on the tube. Then I just so that I get better and better every time I about being held in the same esteem as the shorts-compared to everything from pyjamas decided to take a funky photo. It was a good step out on court. Ferrer withdraws Scot, Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafa Nadal. to out-of-fashion 1970s wallpaper- got more way to distract myself.” There will be no mon- “We have created our vision for the tour- “Honestly I don’t try to compare myself to column inches than the damage he was key business from Dimitrov, however, over nament so we hope everything goes accord- from Wimbledon them or try to be part of a group. I just want wielding with his racket. the next two weeks as he attempts to ing to plan. We’ve worked a lot and hopefully to do the best I can in my career,” Wawrinka Celebrated rivals, however, had no choice become the first Bulgarian man to win a it goes well and the body holds up well.” LONDON: Spain’s David Ferrer has pulled out of told Reuters in an interview on the players’ but to take notice as first world number two grand slam singles title. Dimitrov has already enjoyed the adrena- Wimbledon on the eve of the tournament because of an lawn at the All England Club as he looked for- Federer fell under his spell in the quarter- The man who once revelled in being line rush of lifting a trophy at Wimbledon, elbow injury, the All England Club said in a statement yes- ward to launching his Wimbledon campaign finals before top ranked Djokovic was also left called “Baby Fed”-a nickname he picked up having won the junior title in 2008. But what terday. today. “I’m really happy with what I have done dumbfounded in the final. for owning a graceful style of play akin to 17- he really wants is to follow in the footsteps of “Unfortunately I won’t be able to play at Wimbledon especially in the last two years because that is “I’m feeling great for sure. I’m really proud times grand slam champion Roger Federer- players such as Federer and , because of an injury to my elbow,” the 33-year-old, who has when it all started, with the two grand slams, and happy the way I am doing it,” said came into his own during a stellar 2014 sea- who graduated from being boys’ champions played in 50 consecutive grand slam tournaments since the (title in 2014) and everything. Wawrinka, who became the first man outside son. After winning titles on three different to holders of the gilded Challenge Cup at the the 2003 Australian Open, said on his Twitter page. “I’m really happy with my career,” added the Big Four to win two slams since the quar- surfaces-on outdoor hard in Acapulco, clay in All England Club. “I remember winning it as a “It’s time to get better as quickly as possible.” Ferrer, who the Swiss, who had to wait almost until 29th tet began their era of dominance a decade Bucharest and grass at Queen’s Club in junior on Court One. It was a great experience was seeded eighth, had been due to face Briton James birthday to get his grand slam breakthrough ago. “For me it’s been amazing to think that I London-he ambushed 2013 champion Andy for me because I always wanted to win that Ward in the first round but will now be replaced in the at the before doubling won the Australian Open and the French Murray at Wimbledon to reach his first grand title and I won it,” added Dimitrov, who had draw by from qualifying Luca Vanni of Italy. his haul in Paris. Open by beating the number one and two slam semi-final. never stepped on a grasscourt before arriving Ferrer had been seeded to play fellow Spaniard Rafa “For me it doesn’t matter if it’s the Big Four players in the world. Playing my best match Having fallen two wins short of hoisting at Wimbledon as a precocious 16-year-old Nadal in the quarter-finals, a stage he has reached twice in or Big Five or whatever, I don’t need that and I ever on clay this year in the final, that has giv- the most famous tennis trophy in the world, junior in 2007.—Reuters his career at the grasscourt tournament. —Reuters am not looking for that. I’m just trying to en me a lot of confidence.”—Reuters