Last Chance Saloon
Saturday, 18 June, 2005
At Wimbledon, there are many certainties. Strawberries and cream, overnight
queues filled with tennis fans eager to witness marathon matches and, of
course, rain delays. But one thing that can never be guaranteed at the start
of the tournament: who will win the prestigious event - and be back next year?
In particular, question marks hang over players seemingly at the end of their
careers, be it through age, injury or rumours of retirement. This isn't
necessarily a bad thing, as it can spur players to great feats. Pete Sampras,
for example, called on his formidable inner strength to take the US Open
title in 2002, before walking away from the game.
Last year Todd Martin, Marcelo Rios, and Yevgeny Kafelnikov were among those
to hang up their rackets. Sadly, for a number of well-known players, the 2005
Championships could be their last.
Some didn't even make it to the starting gate. Until last week, 1992
Wimbledon champion Andre Agassi was due to compete. However, the popular
American was forced to withdraw from the Gentlemen's Singles due to injury.
Speculation mounts as to whether he will ever return.
In 2004 Agassi, at the age of 34, became the oldest player to finish the year
in the top 10 since Jimmy Connors in 1988. But ever since October 2001, when
his first child was born, commentators have been asking him whether he is
ready to retire.
At the time, Agassi said his dream was for his little boy to "watch me so
he's got something to remember". Nearly four years later he is still keeping
the dream alive. In 2004 he claimed his 17th ATP Masters Series shield in
Cincinnati and this year reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open
before being defeated by Roger Federer.
But this latest Wimbledon setback does not bode well for the future. Last
year Agassi was forced to pull out of The Championships due to a hip injury.
This year's withdrawal reinforces the inescapable truth that age and injury
go hand in hand. How much longer can the hugely popular Agassi continue on
the circuit?
The end could be in sight for Greg Rusedski, too, as he plays his 10th
Championships representing Britain. Rusedski has long been prone to injury,
which has left him with an erratic Wimbledon record. In 1998 he was forced to
retire from Wimbledon against a qualifier due to problems with an ankle
injured at Queen's. Only the year before he had raised the hopes of the
nation by reaching the quarter-finals.
This is a feat he has failed to repeat. Having been knocked out in the second
round at Wimbledon the past two years, Rusedski will have his work cut out if
he is to compete with the likes of Federer and Roddick and take the title
that surely would mean most to him.
Meanwhile, the women's game could see the last of Lindsay Davenport. Rumours
about the American's departure from the game began to circulate a couple of
years ago but improved form - she ended 2004 No.1 in the WTA singles rankings
- seemed to prompt a fresh outlook. In January she reached her sixth career
Grand Slam final, losing to Serena Williams at the Australian Open, and
during 2005 she has also picked off titles at Dubai and Amelia Island.
So what of Davenport's chances at Wimbledon? Not bad, if you look at her past
efforts. She won the title in 1999 by defeating Jana Novotna, the defending
champion, in the quarters, and seven-time champion Steffi Graf in the final.
The following year she was busy on the second Saturday again, this time
facing fellow compatriot Venus Williams, to whom she lost in straight sets.
Last year, eventual champion Maria Sharapova put an end to Davenport's
Wimbledon run in the semi-finals.
The American's form in recent months means she is again a serious contender
for the title. The idea of going out while she is still on top seems to
appeal to Davenport. It would come as no surprise if she were to win the
tournament, and then say goodbye.
Written by Helen Gilbert
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