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Tradition unlike any other
Wimbledon is the most magical event on the calendar
Posted: Tuesday June 19, 2007 11:18AM; Updated: Tuesday June 19, 2007 11:15AM

LONDON -- Grass-court season has arrived, and I couldn't be happier. Once
June arrives, the clay-court shoes of spring are tossed aside in exchange for
the pimpled-bottomed soles for the grass court of England.

Players make their way here in preparation for the big "W." Sore behinds,
tight backs and pulled hamstrings seem to be common in the training rooms in
the weeks to follow as players adjust to the slick, low bounces of the fine
green surface.

Wimbledon Village during the fortnight is like no other. Players and fans
walk the streets of this charming little area, filled with stylish boutiques,
trendy cafes and, of course, plenty of pubs.

Unlike most events, players often opt to rent apartments while they're here,
giving the fortnight that warm and cozy feel you don't get at the other Grand
Slams. The Village at night is always bustling, as the anticipation of what
is soon to come fills the damp English air. For the next two weeks, this
small town is the center of the tennis universe.

Then there's the All England Tennis Club itself. As you enter the gates and
proceed onto the grounds, the site that awaits you almost takes your breath
away: the beautifully manicured lawns, the picturesque flowers and a sense of
something regal strike you as you make your way into the club.

Wimbledon whites adorn the players on court, while pitchers of Pimms and
strawberries and cream are consumed by the loyal British fans. One of the
unique traditions of Wimbledon is the "queuing up" for tickets. Fans line the
streets overnight in tents, fully equipped with sleeping bags, coolers, mini
barbeques and friendly attitudes, all with a sense of anticipation of
watching a full days play at Wimbledon.

Can't see the New Yorkers sleeping in tents outside Flushing Meadows, can
you? Again, this is one of the many traditions of this incredible event that
make it so unique and special.

What about the rain? You cannot utter the word "summer" in London without
thinking about a few showers overhead. It's all apart of the Wimbledon
experience -- rain delays and playing the waiting game. The Wimbledon
Committee has agreed to construct a retractable roof for those soggy days, a
project due to be completed in 2008.

(Personally, I'm not sure we need to interfere with the integrity of a place
that holds tradition in such high regard. Sure, a few more matches may be
played due to the roof, but if I'm not mistaken, the tournament in its many
years of competition finished on Monday maybe twice. Call me old-school; it
just seems some things are better left alone.)

So who will be dancing the night away at the Wimbledon Ball at the
tournament's end? Four-time French Open champ and world No. 1 Justine Henin
will certainly be a top pick, hungry for her first Wimby title. Defending
champion Amelie Mauresmo has the game, as she proved last year. But is her
confidence where it needs to be to come back to SW 19 and defend?

Don't ever count out Maria Sharapova, either -- she could battle her way to
the title again. There's always Venus and Serena Williams, both past
champions and always dangerous.

Then there are the outsiders, the two young Serbs Jelena Jankovic and Ana
Ivanovic. Jankovic just defeated Sharapova last week on her way to the
grass-court title in Birmingham. This could make for a nice rematch at the
Big W.

If I were a betting girl (which is legal here, but players aren't allowed),
my pounds would be on the No. 1 player in the world, followed by the
ever-present Serena, who can never be counted out of a Slam, where she seems
to always rise to the occasion. I know it's not a stretch, but my outsider is
big sister Venus, who always brings her best tennis to the lawns of the All
England Club.

In the doubles, the news is that defending champs Zi Yan and Zheng Jie are
not playing due to Zheng's nagging ankle injury. So will it be one of the
usual suspects -- such as Raymond-Stosur or Black-Huber -- in the final? Or
maybe look to a new team, such as French Open champs Alicia Molik and Mara
Santangelo, to cause an upset and steal another title?

Whatever the case, if you ever happen to be crossing the Atlantic or any
other body of water toward the U.K. during the summer months of June or July,
make a point to stop by SW19, pitch a tent and grab a pint.

Once you're on the grounds of Wimbledon, take it all in. I promise you it
will be a day that will be etched in your memory forever -- come rain or
shine.

Half of the No. 1-ranked doubles team in the world, SI.com contributor Lisa
Raymond will seek to win back the Wimbledon women's doubles title she claimed
in 2001.

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雙打名將Lisa Raymond對溫布頓的評論
女單他最看好juju->小威->大威啦 ~

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