The enforced absence of Rafael Nadal from Wimbledon has improved the title chances of Roger Federer and Andy Murray. Nadal’s recent winning record against the five-time winner is well-documented, whilst Murray is now the highest seed in his side of the drawer.
However, there is another player who will be secretly relishing the Nadal-shaped gap in the drawer. Every player knows their chances of success have suddenly been enhanced, but Andy Roddick is now a serious contender.
Like Murray, the sixth seed is in the top half of the drawer and a semi final showdown with the home favourite is a real possibility. Fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro is a prospective quarter final opponent, but a Roddick win in that match should not be considered a surprise.
Del Potro has had a stellar 18 months, flying up the rankings and just missing out on a Grand Slam final, having been edged out by Federer in the French Open semi finals.
The big Argentinian has the serve and weight of stroke to prosper on grass, but he is inexperienced on the surface – he has lost in the second round on both previous Wimbledon appearances – and will take time to develop his movement on court.
Roddick will have no such problems. His heavy serve is at times unreturnable on grass and the two-time runner-up is one of the most mobile players around. His grass game was in perfect working order at Queen’s club earlier in the month until an ankle injury ended his interest at the semi final stage.
Roddick has been improving steadily this year under the guidance of new coach Larry Stefanki, reaching the Australian Open semi finals and French Open fourth round. He is nearing the form that brought him the 2003 US title and successive Wimbledon runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2005.
The American has been unlucky to see his career coincide almost exactly with Federer and with the best still to come for the younger Nadal and Murray, Roddick will perhaps view this as his best chance to upset the tennis odds and win at Wimbledon. He might not get a better one.
