Rafael Nadal’s announcement that he was not going to play at Wimbledon this year sent shockwaves through the tennis world.
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ESPN tennis analyst Mary Carillo told me by phone last week that Nadal could have trouble with Wimbledon: “The ground is hard at Wimbledon and there is no doubt that it would put great pressure on Rafa’s knees.”
Nadal had trouble at the French Open. Carillo said perhaps his knees were not the only thing hurting him: “I think that Rafa’s is shaken on the confidence side. I mean he lost on the surface he owned in Paris and going into Wimbledon that has to be in his head.”
Carillo on Venus Williams: “I don’t see how she is not seeded No. 1 here. This is her stage and she loves this tournament and no one plays here better than she does. Are there other women that can win here? Yes, but the road to the title goes through Venus.”
Carillo on the new roof over Centre Court: “It will help the top players for sure. I mean there will be no more rain delays. The court won’t get as chewed up as it has in the past so it will play better. Also with the lights and the way that sound bounces, it is going to be a really great place to play and to watch tennis. I think that people watching will enjoy seeing that new roof. It is impressive.”
Lastly, Carillo is not quite ready to name Roger Federer the greatest player of all time: “There is no doubt that Federer is one of the best ever to play. He may very well break Pete Sampras’ record and win his 15th major title. That said, I don’t really think Rafa is out of the conversation for the best of all time. Rafa needs to win the U.S. Open to get his personal slam and then who knows how far he could go? There is plenty of tennis to be played by both men and I would like to see how it plays out before I say that Federer is the best of all time.”
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
