Rollin' into and out of Wimbledon

As most desperately office-ridden tennis fans, Friday morning was spent hopelessly refreshing my Google search on world #1 Rafael Nadal: is he going to play Wimbledon? Speculation and rumours flew about until the statement was finally given: No. The answer is shockingly 'No.' The champion will not return, this year, to the green grass grounds and defend his title after an uncharacteristic loss on the French clay. Citing painful tendonitis in his knees, Nadal is simply not at 100% and has too much respect for the game and its premier tournament to play when he cannot set forth his best effort.

Nadal's absence seemingly leaves the fortnight wide open for Roger Federer to not only snatch back his Wimbledon crown but also regain the coveted #1 ranking that he held for a record four years. The Swiss star, who recently set foot into an elite group by winning the French Open, will be facing a new type of pressure. Even though he indisputably reigned on Centre Court for five straight years, he was always thought of as the favourite. This year everyone is already saying that in 15 days Roger will have his 15th Grand Slam winner's trophy. He is not merely expected win; he will win.

Oddly enough, the only tangible impact Nadal's withdrawal can have on Federer shows itself if he appears in the final. If the past five years tell us anything we should be able to neatly write, in pen, Roger's name on the final Sunday's roster, but his path to victory in Paris was anything but smooth. Many of this year's entrants will be taking a note from Robin Soderling's performance just weeks ago and will probably walk onto Wimbledon's lawns without anything to lose, giving the usual contenders new worlds of trouble. Regardless, I expect to see a lean and improved Andy Roddick resurrect and an aged rivalry will old buddy (and fellow married man) Fed.