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The short grass season has led up to the third Slam of the year, Wimbledon. The courts are ever so perfect; they will be until the first few rounds are complete. The crowds are ready with their famous strawberries and cream, with their little ‘golf’ applause (unless your names NEA or Dave of course). The English are famous for not being able to do well here, failure here seems to run in their blood, yet they hold their breath for a title every year. People have pointed to the likes of NEA and Dave to be almost another set of Henman and Rusedski, two Brits who are both good players at the same time. They both very much are, NEA with his speed and guile, Dave with his consistent groundies. Both however live by the belief that grass is for cows however. While they aren’t horrible on it, they don’t have the games a typical Wimbledon champion has. NEA had a wonderful run to the semi’s two seasons past, only to get pounded by Jennacourt in the quarters the next season. Dave was another casualty of Jenna’s last year as well. Whether they will take this title this year remains to be seen. Dave could very well make the quarters, there it will likely be two-time champion Vanessa Child who greets him. NEA will need to get past Phobia or Leftys just for the quarters; there he could face either Yodavitch, or Roddick Open champion, Edelstein. It is not impossible they are both talented. The odds are against them however.
Matches to watch,
J-man-Agassi – J-man has been mediocre since his French title. When he won that title, a thumping over PSALT in the final, many said he was finally getting his act together and would live up to his talent. That has not happened however, if anything he has been on a decline since that Slam. He can still make a run anywhere everybody knows it. Grass, however, is the last likely of places for it to happen. The low, quick bounce doesn’t allow for the big rips at balls he prefers to take. Agassi is someone who can exploit that. Agassi lives for grass, he is a player with a lot of guile that can get to net and finish points quickly. He is more than capable of keeping the ball as low as possible and knocking of the easy volleys that will get him. Once again though, if J-man focuses, he can pull of the passing shots and handle the low balls to snatch the win.
Doublea-Stevos – Doublea has never lived up to his potential on grass. He is more than capable of a handful of titles here though. Stevos could be tricky, but should be overwhelmed by Doublea’s grasscourting ability if his compatriot should finally get it together.
Bizet-Agassi – Bizet truly is the first-class choker of tennis right now. You might say PSALT, or NEA, or Trinky, no one has been doing it as long as this Frenchman however. From his loss to a nobody named PSALT three seasons ago on Rod Lavar Arena, to losing to Child in the Wimbledon final two years ago while he had match point, then losing to Jennacourt, someone he is 5x better at on grass here in the final a year ago? Those are truly only a few. Agassi is a giant killer and is a mini-Bizet gamewise, if you will. It will be wonderful watching two almost identical players serve and volley it out on Center Court, on a surface made for them.
I have interviews with Dave and Bizet. Dave first,
Q. Words have been exchanged between NEA and yourself. What is the problem there?
I am not really sure. NEA has been quite argumentative and irritable this season. He said I struggle against good players and criticized my talent, but I think he is just annoyed with the fact that I have achieved things that he hasn’t. I don't think he was comfortable with me being British number 1 for a while and taking the limelight from him. I haven't really responded to this yet because it is just comments from a frustrated person. I know that what I have achieved is respectable and I worked hard for it. I'm not going to take any notice of it. At the end of the day, I have been in a Slam final, he has not. I hope things get back to normal before the defense of the Team Cup.
Q. Critics have dismissed your Aussie run due to an 'easy' draw. Do you agree?
No I don't agree. I think these comments are stupid. My Australian Open run was as good as any other player's run to a Slam final. I beat Phobe comfortably. Phobe has thrashed me just two events before the A. Open. I beat Sarahginia who had played the tournament of her life. I beat J-man in the SF, which I regard as one of my best wins, 7-6 in the final set. If people still say that I am not a good slam player after that match, then they don't have a clue. These critics have said J-man is a good slam player, yet I beat him in an incredibly tight match at one of the hardest stages of a slam.
Q. Is it the LTA's own fault no Brit has won this title for so long? For such a long time the coaching was so poor in the UK that many went to Spain and the US and didn't grow up on grass. Thoughts?
I don't know. I think it is more a mental thing than being able to play on grass. There are so few grass tournaments, it is hard to train for it. I think British players have succumbed to home pressure, especially in the later rounds.
Q. Who will win this title?
It is hard to look past Child at all. The only other person is Yodavitch.
Bizet,
Q. Comparisons have been made between Tricatrina-French Open, and you-Wimbledon. Is that fair? Can your chokes be compared with the depressingly bad chokes Trinky has had at the French over the past few years?
Bizet:
I don't think it is fair. I mean I didn't choke really I just played good opponents. Both Vanessa and Jennacourt played well in those finals. I know, it's surprising that Tricatrina hasn't won the French Open, but I don't know if that was choking either.
Q. Young NEA has chosen you to do well here, what do you think? Will you?
Bizet:
Did he really? Well I hope so! I have a though road to the finals, but I think if I can play my grasscourt game I will be able to. Hopefully this time I can win it!
Q. In your honest opinion, as an experienced grasscourter, should the UK hold their breath for either NEA or Dave to win the title?
Bizet:
I guess it's possible, but I don't think it will happen. I mean I really think they will do well, especially N_E_A since he usually does well here, but winning it just doesn't seem to be in the cards this year.
Q. Who do you think will win it all?
Bizet:
Vanessa of course is the favorite. She has only lost once this year and that was way back in Australia. She also has won Wimbledon twice before, and trust me, she is hard to beat, even with a match point ! Both Yodavitch and John could do it as well, not to mention J-man or PSALT. Of course I think I can win it as well.
