• Chris Wilkinson

Murray well placed to finally reach Wimbledon peak

© PA Photos

Enlarge

It's that time of year again when the covers are pulled from the All England Club grounds for the jewel in the grass-court calendar; Wimbledon.

This tournament is incredibly special because of its tradition, the grass and the fact that it is a major sporting event in the British calendar. I've enjoyed stepping out onto Centre Court a few times and there are not many better feelings than walking out on the hallowed turf. It is second to none.

Last year, British No. 1 Andy Murray went so close to winning the grand slam title that he desires the most, losing out to Roger Federer in the final. Murray has got a very good chance to go one better this year.

Following his defeat to Federer, Murray went on to win Olympic gold on the same court and then notched his first grand slam title win at the US Open. That's a big thing in getting over the hurdle of winning your first slam, beating the top players at the top events.

Murray has shown he can do it and he used the experience of defeat at Wimbledon to spur himself on. This year, I think he can go one more. He's had an injury lay-off and withdrew from the French Open, but in clinching his third Queen's title is not a bad way to prepare. Getting the matches under his belt was important and will stand him in good stead.

The home crowd will no doubt be focusing on Murray, but one player that deserves his place is fellow Brit Kyle Edmund. The 18-year-old has been given a wild card entry, and impressed at Roland Garros when winning the boy's doubles crown.

For a young British player, it's all about the experience of playing at Wimbledon. It is a unique opportunity and one you dream about when growing up.

Nadal out for revenge, Federer always in contention

Rafael Nadal will want revenge for last year's second round exit © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Features: Well done GB - but hard work starts now
  
• News: Murray seeded second, could face Rafa in QFs
  
• News: Murray not fazed by nightmare Wimbledon scenario
  

This year will showcase a tough tournament - Rafael Nadal has been seeded fifth, even with the way he is playing, and will draw one of the top guys at the quarter-final stage.

There will be plenty of players, including the likes of Federer, Murray and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic that will be looking over their shoulders at what side the draw the eight-time French Open champion will feature in. Second round defeat to Lukas Rosol last year will have hurt the Spaniard, and he'll be in the mood to avenge that.

Defending champion Federer has endured a tough time recently but got back to winning ways at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle - he gets written off, but always seems to come back. It will be tough for him, though; playing five sets gets more and more difficult the older you get and he's had some niggling injuries as of late. But you simply cannot rule him out of contention when it comes to SW19.

Can anyone topple Serena Williams?

As for the women's side of the game, there is one question that stands above the rest; who will stop Serena Williams? You've got to look at the likes of Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka, they've got the game to do it. But it is tough to see how the world No. 1 is going to be beaten at the moment.

Then there is Laura Robson, who is now an established player. Her expectations will be much greater going into the tournament. She's got a big game and a big forehand, and is also unseeded - Robson could prove a nightmare draw for the seeds when it is made on Friday.

One thing we can expect from Wimbledon, though, is a few surprise results. It's such a quick turnaround from the clay of the French Open to the grass of London; it's a different game on a completely different surface and it can often take players a while to get used to it. Some it will get the better of - but that is one of the many things that make this tournament to special.

Chris Wilkinson is a former British No. 1

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.