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Without Russian pros, but with Williams comeback: Wimbledon begins

Prestige and prize money are hardly higher at a tennis tournament: This Monday, Wimbledon will serve again, but not free from the shadow of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. Professionals from Russia and Belarus have been barred by the organisers.

Euronews interviewed an intimate connoisseur of the tournament: the British ex-professional Tim Henman the now 48-year-old Brit ended his career in 2007 with a Davis Cup match – at Wimbledon. His best ranking in the ATP world rankings was fourth. Today, he still plays on the ATP Senior Tour and runs his foundation, the Tim Henman Foundation.

Henman: “Win seven matches “

He said of the grass court tournament: ”I would say Wimbledon is the best tennis tournament in the world. I might be a bit biased, but what’s really special is the history, the tradition, the grass courts and the predominantly white attire. If you think back to the beginning of the tournament in 1877, it certainly has a lot of history and traditions, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Euronews sports editor Andy Robini: ”You have reached four semi-finals here. What does it take to go far in this tournament and who are your favourites?”

Tim Henman: ”Well, you have to play good tennis. In both the men’s and women’s tournaments, the best in the world are competing. If you want to progress, you have to master your game and I think lawn tennis has changed over the years. It used to be a lot more serve-and-volley, but now you see a lot more action on the back of the court. Physically, technically and mentally you have to be ready, and the tournament is over two weeks, so you have to be able to win seven matches.”

Tournament without the world number one

Andy Robini: ”I know you are part of a programme that focuses on creating opportunities for the younger generation. Tell us more about this initiative.”

Tim Henman: “HSBC’s World of Opportunity Programme really tries to create opportunities in different areas.If you look at Wimbledon as a whole, the focus is on the tennis court and being a professional tennis player, but there are so many other elements, whether it’s working in the Wimbledon Foundation, whether it’s working as a member of the ground staff, whether it’s working in television, behind or in front of a camera. I think it’s really about educating the younger generation about all the different elements that are part of an event like Wimbledon.”

In the men’s competition, in the absence of Russian world number one Daniil Medvedev, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic is the number one seed among bookmakers – and the seedings list. This is the programme on Centre Court on Monday. Local hero Andy Murray will play third after crowd favourite Emma Raducanu and Djokovic.

In the women’s singles, the comeback of 40-year-old Serena Williams after a year’s break from the tournament is eagerly awaited. German hopes are limited to 2018 Wimbledon winner Angelique Kerber due to Alexander Zverev’s injury break. In the preparatory tournament in Bad Homburg, however, the player from Kiel was eliminated in the quarter-finals. Perhaps this was also due to her double burden as a player and tournament director.

By Arnold