If ever there was a sporting foregone conclusion it’s Wimbledon. Federer always wins Wimbledon. It’s what he does. He hasn’t lost on grass in 59 games so there’s no point in watching it, right?
But this year the knives are out for the world number one. He was humbled in the final in Paris a fortnight ago, in a match many thought he would win. How come? Well the fact is Rafael Nadal has never played better, been stronger or had such confidence. He’s just won his first ever grass court tournament (at Queen’s) and he’s clearly got the psychological edge on Federer.
Many people are saying this will be Nadal’s year. Many people are also saying: what on earth is he wearing? In the Queen’s pavilion it wasn’t uncommon to overhear grumbles along the lines of “three-quarter-length shorts?” “knee bands?” “sleeveless?” “in green?” “where does one buy such things?”
Nadal neatly divides the British audience into two groups: some get up to applaud his passing shots, others take a passing shot at his appalling get up.
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