Wimbledon looms

With the French Open coming to an end yesterday, we are seeing the build up to our own Grand Slam get underway. The time of year when England goes Tennis crazy, and everyone digs out the rackets to hit the courts.

The 'king of clay' debate will continue to rise, as Spaniard Rafael Nadal grew level with Bjorn Borg's record of six titles on the French clay. That put the 25-year-old on ten slam wins in total, six behind Roger Federer who he yesterday defeated. Now though attentions switched to our fair shores, where it will no doubt be one of these greats who triumphs.

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that their is a lack of talent in the men's game, just that these two are the standard setters and rise above the rest. Novak Djokovic has been in fine form this season, leading up to his defeat by Federer in France. And these are of course plenty of capable players, and upsets are sure to happen as they usually do. But the Swiss and Spaniard have dominated grand slam successes and I see no reason why it won't continue.

Federer dominated this event between 2003 to 2007, until he traded wins with Nadal in the last three years. He still sits one behind Pete Sampras' record seven triumphs here and he will be as determined as ever to get on equal terms. However a certain Spaniard sits in his way, and with two wins here already he will be looking to close the gap further of slam titles.

Nadal eyes clean sweep!

As the dust settles on yet another Wimbledon championship, their are many things that have combined to make this one of the more memorable summers of Tennis.

The fact there was no rain always helps on our wet and dingy shores, but added into that was the demise of Roger Federer on his treasured centre court and the marathon match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut.

However following this years event, champion Rafael Nadal has his gaze firmly fixed on joining the elite group that has at least one win in each of the Grand Slams.

It is the US Open that has so far proved elusive for the Spaniard, and he will get his chance to triumph at Flushing Meadows later this year.

John Mcenroe has already voiced his opinion on this matter, firmly believing that Nadal will end his long wait for the US title.

With this is mind, maybe it should be another target that the Majorcan should be setting his sights on.

At 24-years-old with eight Grand Slam titles under his belt in total, he is already ahead of great rival Roger Federer when he was at the same age.

Although the Swiss is now on double Nadal's current total with 16, it is by no means out of reach that he eventually overtake him.

These two individuals are the best thing that has happened to men's Tennis, encapsulating different aspect of the game.

Federer glides across any surface, rarely breaking a sweat, Nadal on the other hand is full of energy and bounds around the court full of speed.

It is this speed that allows him to get to many shots his rivals wouldn't, while his shots of 'vamos' show he doesn't share the quiet gene with Federer.

Nadal seems to be getting better with age, with his speed around the court and shot selection and power constantly improving.

One thing is for sure, if he can steer clear of injury, I certainly wouldn't bet against Federer's grand slam haul one day being over taken by the young Spaniard.

No tie breaks making a mockery of Tennis

After John Isner and Nicolas Mahut's marathon match at Wimbledon finally finished yesterday, one thing has become glaringly evident as a result.

This is that tie breaks need to be installed into final sets.

Despite all the agony and drama in the over eleven hour match, the fact that it could seemingly go on forever makes tennis look like a joke.

Why can't the final set be decided on a tie break like the rest of the sets in the match?

It is a perfectly fair and reasonable way in which to decide the winner, rather than make them stomp through like zombies.

Isner and Mahut were simply sapped of all energy, and think of the strain of Mahut mentally now that he has finally lost the match.

He could easily break mentally after losing such a contest, let's just hope he doesn't allow that to happen and can bounce back.

Then there is Isner, who is also competing in the mixed doubles.

Along with the obvious back log of matches, Isner now has mixed doubles and a second round singles match to contend with.

All while every else has progressed a further round.

I don't know about you (and i'm sure many love the fact it could be never ending), but to me having no tie break in the final set makes tennis the laughing stock of the sporting world.