Tim Henman - did us proud
Former British number one and now TV commentator, Andrew Castle is writing a column for VM throughout Wimbledon fortnight this year. Here he tells us how Tim Henman got so near but ran out of steam.
Henman rolls back the years against Moya ..
With Andy Murray out, it started on a bit of a downer but by the end of the first day it was like turning back the clock watching Tim play. He just got the job done. You wonder what keeps him going and you know what? It's a sense of theatre really. Every time he goes on court there's this huge wave of emotion going his way, and he's earned it as we've got to know him over the years.
..but Lopez proved too much for him
He just ran out of energy. If he had won the first two tie-breaks it might have been alright, but he had 3-1 in the first tie-break and missed a volley. He climbed back in but in the end the adrenalin wasn't enough and two five-set matches back to back did for him. At least this year he was a major part of a Grand Slam tournament. It takes a lot to get the juices flowing for someone wh's been around as long as Tim, and you have to remember he's been in the top 40 for 11 years.
It must be an ordeal to play Henman out there, but Lopez is a very handy player. If you learn your tennis on clay, you gain the base to play on all surfaces. Clay is the one where you have to be technically sound.
The chance of Federer v Safin in round 3
They've played some unbelievable matches in the past. Safin almost has an allergy to grass, considering he's one of the best players of his generation. A match against Federer could be just the kind of thing to get his blood rising. He can be such a miserable Russian but behind that miserable exterior he's a really emotional guy. Is Federer vulnerable in the early rounds? I don't think so - have you seen him? He has the amazing ability to up the pace when he needs to, just when you think he's down he moves up to another level. It's like Beckham doing it for England - winning, distributing the ball. Last year he had a terrible draw - Ancic, Berdych, Gasquet, Henman - and trounced them all without losing a set.
" Just when you think Federer's down he moves up to another level
Djokovic and Roddick
Djokovic is a class act. He's the silkiest mover outside of Nadal and Federer, and along with Roddick is not far below them. Since Roddick started working with Jimmy Connors there's been a bristling nature to his play, and more determination and purpose.
Pay parity for women?
For years women in all walks of life have been paid for less for the same job, and it's a silly argument in this day and age. In some ways sport is a leader, and this is a statement we are making that women are worth as much as men. So I do believe in equal pay - maybe having two daughters affects me on that one!
Though if you look at the commercial argument, you could argue against that. The likes of Sharapova and Serena are massive public figures, but the male game is much deeper, and in the early rounds most people would want to see the men play.
22 June - Andrew previews the tournament and discusses Murray and the state of British tennis
Have you got a question for Andrew? If so, simply email sport@virginmedia.co.uk and we'll put the best questions to Andrew during the Wimbledon fortnight.
Please note that Andrew may not have time to answer all of your questions and only a selection of the best will be published.
Andrew answers VM readers' questions
28th June 2007
