Wimbledon 2014: Nadal and Federer seek grasscourt success to erase sour memories

Rare sight – Steve Darcis commiserates with Rafael Nadal after beating him at Wimbledon 2013

It is time to work the holy grass for two of the greatest players to have ever played the game. The duo may have dominated tennis conversation for the past decade, but arrive at Wimbledon needing to prove their worth all over again.

In 2013, the Holy Grail of tennis was still reeling from the aftershocks of Rafael Nadal’s straight set defeat to Steve Darcis, when seven-time champion Roger Federer lost to Sergiy Stakhovsky in the second round in another sensational upset.

Nadal and Federer hit the practice courts at SW19 soon after reaching the city on Wednesday. Both players – seeded two and four respectively – will look to steady their boat and run deep this time around.

Nadal is dealing with a string of losses on the green grass – he lost to Lukas Rosol in the second round in 2012, before suffering the iginominy of a first round exit last year. The Spaniard has admitted that he does not feel his best on grass, just after winning the French Open. Speaking to the press after the Roland Garros final, Nadal said, “?I know probably the result will not be the perfect one there.” And his words came true, as he lost in straight sets to Dustin Brown.

Meanwhile, Federer gained some time with his family and the newly born twins after he made an exit from Paris in the fourth round. The Swiss was in Halle last week, where he went on to defend his title. But it wasn’t without a stutter or two. Federer lost the first set to Joao Sousa in the second round, before recovering to keep his hopes alive. In the end he did win his seventh title in Halle, but his only top 20 opponent was Kei Nishikori.

Sergiy Stakhovsky is congratulated by Roger Federer at Wimbledon 2013

It is difficult to read too much into the events of last week. There was a school of thought which suggested that Nadal was perhaps keen to make amends for his late withdrawal from Halle last year. Besides, it is believed that both Nadal and Federer receive a substantial cheque for showing up in Germany for the Gerry Weber Open. Either ways, Federer will look to play much better next week, hoping that the scent of Wimbledon will help him raise his game.

The two giants of modern tennis – 31 Grand Slam titles buttressing their overflowing collection of titles – will certainly hope that another early exit is not ordained upon them by the merciless gods of tennis when the tournament begins next week. The two were seen practising on the outside courts yesterday – Nadal was seen with his uncle Toni, but it appeared that Federer’s team was yet to join the Swiss maestro.

Apparently the Swiss press is out in force at Wimbledon, somehow believing that Federer might clinch his 18th Grand Slam title a little more than two weeks from now. But only time will tell if Federer has the legs for sustained battle against the rank and file of the game. The fear factor is long gone, and most arrive into a match against Federer sensing a great opportunity. The Swiss though will troop out knowing that every win is important as he seeks to cement his legacy in the pantheon of greats.

Nadal is waiting on 699; if he gets past the first round it will give him his 700th career victory. The Spaniard relies on his improved serve, baseline prowess and undying spirit to wear out opponents. A third title appears unlikely given the doubts that seem to cloud the Spaniard’s mind. But if a few early round wins can mend Nadal’s relationship with grass, you never know; that might just fuel him deep into the second week.

The mercury is set to climb tomorrow, when the AELTC makes the draw for this year’s championship. Who will get Djokovic in the semis, and who will get Murray? All the answers will be loud and clear tomorrow.