Elena Vesnina of Russia hits a return to Venus Williams of the U.S. during their women’s singles tennis match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London June 25, 2012. TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive328038
All the top tennis players in the world have arrived in London for the third grand slam event of the year, Wimbledon. The All-England Club has hosted the tournament since 1877 making it the oldest tennis tournament in the world. It is the only grand slam event that is still played on grass and is often considered the most prestigious.
Even with 135 years of history already written, Roger Federer is again looking to add his name to the record book as he chases his seventh championship which would tie Pete Sampras and William Renshaw for the most men’s singles titles. Standing in the way of Federer’s seventh title are the two guys who have combined with Federer to win the last nine titles, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic and Nadal are the top two ranked players after meeting in the finals of the last four grand slam events including last year’s Wimbledon final which Djokovic won. The next top ranked player is Andy Murray who is also the best hope for a British winner. Murray has made three-straight semifinals appearances and is hoping this is the year he can make it into the finals.
Swiss Roger Federer sits down during his match against Spain’s Albert Ramos on the first day of the 2012 Wimbledon championships in London, June 25 2012. Hugo Philpott/UPI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: upiphotostwo169601
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic stretches to reach the ball during his first round men’s singles match against Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero on the first day of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 25, 2012. LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: afplivefour541993
Spain’s Rafael Nadal practices ahead of Wimbledon. Paul Childs/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawirewestphotossix830596
The women’s singles has had a little more drama on opening day with five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams being ousted by Russian Elena Vesnina 6-1 6-3 on the first day. Now the focus will shift to Venus’ four-time Wimbledon Champion sister Serena Williams and 2004 Wimbeldon Champion Maria Sharapova. Even though the spotlight is on Serena and Sharapova there are upcoming players who could challenge for the championship including Victoria Azarenka, Agnieszka Radwańska and Petra Kvitová who bested Sharapova in the finals last year.
Venus Williams of the U.S. wipes her face during her women’s singles tennis match against Elena Vesnina of Russia at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London June 25, 2012. TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive328199
Elena Vesnina of Russia Celebrates Scoring during her Women’s Singles First Round Match Against Venus Williams of The United States at The Wimbledon Championships 2012 in London Britain ON June 25 2012. imago sportfotodienst/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: imagosports626032
Maria Sharapova returns a shot during the Wimbledon Championships 2012 at the A England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London. Sportsphoto / Splash News/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: spnphotosthree978483
In today’s tennis the focus is on the singles game but there are also ladies doubles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles along with a number of junior and invitation events. For any tennis fan it is the place to be with everything takes place over two weeks on 20 courts. This year the All-England Club will have quick turnaround as a few weeks after the tournament they will host the tennis events for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
For more photos from day one and throughout Wimbledon check out Newscom.
Heather Watson of Britain hits a return to Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic during their women’s singles tennis match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London June 25, 2012. DYLAN MARTINEZ/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive328561
Court Four is reflected in a spectator’s sunglasses during the men’s singles tennis match between Fernando Verdasco of Spain and Jimmy Wang of Taiwan at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London June 25, 2012. STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive327886
Wimbledon Championships 2012 at the A England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London. Sportsphoto / Splash News/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: spnphotosthree978510
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Tags: Grand Slam, london, Tennis, Tennis Major, Wimbledon