Five Players with a Shot at Redemption on the Grass

By Chris Oddo

Photo Credit: AFP/Patrick Kovarik

(June 13, 2012) It’s time to trade out those clay-caked tennis shoes for a sweet new pair of dimple-soled grass court tennis kicks. In other words, Wimbledon is just around the corner.

While some players are simply in need of a little rest, there are quite a few others who would like nothing more than to earn a shot of redemption as the grass court season begins.

Here’s a look at five players who have a good chance of reversing their fortunes on the grass this summer:

1. Serena Williams

Shocking is the word that most aptly describes Serena’s first-round flameout at the French Open. Actually, shocking might be an understatement, but you get my drift. Williams had reeled off 17 straight Clay-court victories this spring, including titles in Charleston and Madrid; she was headed into Paris with a full head of steam, and many a pundit named her as the player to beat. Then out of nowhere came Virginie Razzano to hand Serena her first opening round loss at a Grand Slam in forty-seven attempts.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Williams, who has done everything right this year. She’s been playing more than usual, and even attended played two weekends of Fed Cup for her country.

But not too worry, because if there is anything that could erase the bad feelings of Williams’ French Open failings, it is a return to the hallowed grounds of the All England Club. Serena owns a career record of 60-8 at SW19, with four singles titles and two additional finals to her name. And unlike Roland Garros, where the slow conditions have the effect of neutralizing Serena’s aggressive, serve-centric game, the grass enhances those attributes.

2. John Isner

Isner was a very dejected camper after his marathon loss to Paul-Henri Mathieu at Roland Garros. And he should have been. Much like Williams, he was expected to carry the American flag into the later rounds in Paris, but when he bowed out in the second round to the inspired Frenchman, there was nothing to feel but regret.

“I didn’t play the right way,” said a disappointed Isner afterwards. “My inability to change what I was doing cost me the match.” When pressed about what he didn’t do that he should have, Isner elaborated. “[I needed to] just go for my shots more.”

Isner’s early exit was indeed a disappointment for those who had followed his remarkable progress as a clay-court player this year. Still, Isner will have every chance to redeem himself on a surface where he has to be considered one of the most dangerous players in the men’s draw.

The 6’9” world No. 10 has yet to pass the second round at Wimbledon, but with his virtually unreturnable serve and his constantly improving ground game, Isner could easily reach the quarterfinals with the right draw. That might not be earth-shattering for American fans that grew up watching Pete Sampras dominate the Wimbledon grass, but for Isner it would most certainly be a step in the right direction.

3. Sabine Lisicki

Paging Sabine Lisicki… Are you there? Come in, Sabine Lisicki.

Lisicki’s clay-court season was a dreadful reminder that in spite of all the progress that the 22-year-old has made in returning from an injury-plagued period to a spot just outside the WTA’s top ten, there is still a lot improving to be made.

The current world No. 15, who has made her best Grand Slam results on the grass (her last two appearances at Wimbledon have resulted in a quarterfinal and semifinal appearance), seems to thrive on the faster, lower-bouncing surface. Her big, booming serve and her ability to summon her best emotional performances make her a difficult out, and because of her electric performances in 2009 and 2011, the Wimbledon crowds have warmed up to her quite nicely.

All those signs point to a chance for the German world No. 15 to make another push and possibly climb into the WTA’s top ten if things go well.

4. Milos Raonic

Raonic improved greatly as a clay-court player this year. That’s all well and good, but the missile-serving Canadian has a game that appears to be tailor-made for the grass. Sure, he’s never reached the third round at Wimbledon, but that is more a product of the fact that the 21-year-old badly injured his hip in his only appearance at Wimbledon last year.

This year, with Raonic perched at a career-high ranking of 21, expect the Canadian to step it up a notch. Is he ready to make a deep run and possibly challenge for a title? Probably not until he masters the art of moving that 6’5” frame around on the slippery grass surface (experience moving on the grass is probably more important than experience serving on the grass), but with that said, Raonic’s ability to take the racquet out of his opponent’s hands should get him further in London than he got at Roland Garros, where he bowed out to Juan Monaco in the third round.

5. Agnieszka Radwanska

The world No. 3 certainly didn’t look like a world No. 3 as she was getting destroyed by Svetlana Kuznetsova in the third round at Roland Garros. But the French has never been her best event (she’s maxed out in the round of 16 three separate times). No, Radwanska’s slice-heavy, touchy-feely game is more suited for a surface like the grass, where she can use her ball control and the speed of the court to keep her opponents off balance.

The 23-year-old already has two Wimbledon quarterfinals on her résumé, and with the newfound confidence that comes with a career-high ranking, 38 wins on the year and three titles, she could be in for her deepest run yet this fortnight.

Other’s to watch:

Andy Roddick: He just lost in the first round at Queen’s, but if Roddick’s going to hit his stride anywhere this year, it might as well be Wimbledon.

Grigor Dimitrov: Call it a feeling, but Dimitrov could be headed for a breakthrough.

Venus Williams: Five Wimbledon titles says one thing: Don’t underestimate this woman.

Victoria Azarenka: Wimbledon was the place the Vika finally broke through to the final four of a Slam last year (she was 0-4 in Slam quarterfinals previously). Maybe it will be the place where she gets the bad taste of a fourth-round French Open departure out of her mouth?