Wimbledon (United Kingdom) (AFP)
One year after a historic cancellation due to covid, Wimbledon (June 28-July 11) and its grass will be more than ever the temple of tennis where Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Serena Williams have the opportunity to sublimate the course of this sport ... and their record.
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Djokovic for a 20th Major
The world No. 1, winner at the start of the Australian Open season and two weeks ago at Roland Garros for his 18th and 19th Grand Slam titles, can equal the record of his two rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (20).
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"I hope to know in two weeks what it means to have 20 Grand Slam titles," said the Serbian two days before his entry into the running for the traditional opening of Center Court by the male title holder.
"I am very confident after winning the first two Majors of the season and having played very well at Roland Garros. This tournament has asked a lot of me mentally, physically, emotionally. But I also came out with a lot of hard work. "positive energy and confidence. It created like a wave that I'm trying to ride," he added.
Winner of an epic final in 2019 against Federer (he had saved two match points), the Serbian is the big favorite of this 2021 edition. A sixth trophy on the London turf would also bring the 34-year-old champion closer to the tennis Grail : succeed in the Grand Slam (which only Donald Budge in 1938 and Rod Laver in 1962 and 1969 have succeeded to date, the latter only during the Open era).
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"I watched Novak as he prepared for the trophy ceremony at Roland Garros and it looked like he was preparing for Wimbledon. I had the impression that in his mind he was already wondering who he would play at Wimbledon against, how he should play, and to think about his preparation, his recovery ... he's a machine, "Misha Zverev commented on Eurosport.
Chance of the draw, and in the absence of Rafael Nadal who gave up to "recover", Djokovic could find Federer for a dream final.
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Federer, the crazy bet of the 21st Major
The Swiss, who will turn 40 in August, is trying to recover from a double arthroscopy of his right knee suffered in 2020 and made it to Wimbledon - where a ninth title would make him the sole holder of the Major record (21) - its only real goal.
As proof of his importance, Federer preferred to give up playing his round of 16 at Roland Garros to preserve his knee.
But he remains on an elimination from his second match on the lawn of Halle on June 16, which he blamed on a bad psychological attitude.
"I am now at Wimbledon and I have a chance. I know that if I get going well, reach the second week which is my immediate goal, I will be stronger and stronger game after game and I think anything is possible ", he warned, saying to himself" mentally strong ".
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Still, his physical condition is a big unknown.
He could find on his theoretical road in quarter the world N.2 Daniil Medvedev, winner on Saturday in Mallorca of his first tournament on grass, then Alexander Zverev or Matteo Berrettini in semi-finals.
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Serena Williams and the dream of the 24th Major
The American will be 40 years old in September and despite four failures in the final (Wimbledon 2018 and 2019, US Open 2018 and 2019), she is still chasing this 24th Grand Slam title which would allow her to equal Margaret Court's record.
"There is no game that is a sure win anymore. All the players are playing great. Whoever the opponent is, you have to be ready. Everyone has worked very hard to be there," said Williams.
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In the absence of Naomi Osaka, in psychological distress, and of the defending champion Simona Halep, who still suffers from the left calf, the queen Serena could find on her way in the semifinals the world No.1 Ashleigh Barty.
“I would love to be a champion one day here,” admitted the Australian. “It's a dream, it's a goal. Dreams don't always come true, but you can fight to give yourself every chance. What I have learned from the last two years: I announce loud and clear my hopes and dreams and I go in pursuit of them. "
© 2021 AFP