This year, there was an extra week between the French Open and Wimbledon, which begins today and runs through July 12. The schedule change gave players more time to adjust from clay to grass. It also meant fans had to wait another week pondering the sport's pressing questions.
1. Can anyone beat Serena Williams?
That seems to be the question before every tournament, especially the majors. As of late, the answer is a resounding "no." Williams, 33, is ranked No. 1 in the world and has won the past three majors -- the 2014 U.S. Open, and the Australian and French Opens this year.
But Williams' foes have reason for a glimmer of optimism. Although she is a five-time Wimbledon champion, Williams hasn't won it since 2012. She has not gotten past the fourth round since then and was eliminated in the third round last year. This year, she has been tested at the majors, with seven of 14 matches going three sets.
"I think Serena's got a great shot," ESPN analyst Chris Evert said. "To me her game is better suited to the grass courts than it is to the clay. She struggled through the French, remarkably winning it. But her game, just because of her serve, she's going to get free aces. Her power, her mobility on the court. ... Her adversaries are going to be, basically, motivation day in and day out for two weeks. She's got to be sharp."
2. Will Rafael Nadal continue to struggle?
The Spaniard and former world No. 1 once seemed invincible with his swashbuckling style and go-for-broke shots. He is one of the all-time great players with 14 Grand Slam titles, including two at Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010. He was the runner up there in 2006-2007 and 2011.
But the past three summers he was ousted early by players ranked outside the top 100. His game -- and confidence -- have slipped to new lows this season. His No. 10 ranking is his worst in a decade, and the onetime King of Clay is coming off a forgettable spring.
"His legs don't look as strong to me," analyst John McEnroe said. "He doesn't seem to have that first-step quickness. There's something that doesn't seem quite right, but I couldn't pinpoint it. I think in certain ways it's not about the shots, it's more about what's inside his head and how healthy he is."
3. Who among the Big Three -- Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray -- has the best chance?
Djokovic is the defending champion, and except for a heartbreaking loss to Stan Wawrinka in the French Open final, the top-ranked Serb has been virtually unstoppable this year. He is 41-3 and lost 1 of 14 matches at the Australian Open and French Open. He has made the Wimbledon semifinals the past five years and the final three of the past four.
Federer turns 34 in August but is showing no signs of slowing down. The seven-time Wimbledon champion is the No. 2 seed and going for his 18th Grand Slam title on his favorite surface. He lost a five-set final to Djokovic in the last year, and there is no place better suited for him to win another major than the All England Club.
All of Great Britain rejoiced two years ago when Scotsman Murray won the 2013 Wimbledon title, the first British man to win since Fred Perry in 1936.
Murray was the runner-up in Australia in January and reached the semis at the French. His season record -- 41-6 -- is almost as good as Djokovic's. Murray hasn't lost to anyone but Djokovic since February, and Wimbledon is the perfect stage for Murray to conquer his nemesis.
Sports on 06/29/2015