Tim Henman speaking at at a car launch (Jaguar F-PACE - the official Wimbledon car) made some interesting statements in the lead up to the French Open.
Wawrinka has the highest level on clay
"In terms of the highest level of tennis that anyone can produce on a clay court I think that Wawrinka’s might be the highest,†Henman said. “When he’s on song I imagine it must be nigh on impossible to play against him given the firepower that he has and the speed he can generate from the back of the court and on serve.
“The challenge for him is the consistency. Whereas Djokovic, for example, plays well nearly all the time, Wawrinka is much more inconsistent. However, I’m sure that he’ll get a lot of positive vibes from last year in coming back as the defending champion."
On Murray
Rome: "To win a big final like that and to play as well as he did bodes very well for Paris. I like the place where he’s at with his team. Mentally he’s been very calm and focused on the court."
Coaching: "Jamie Delgado coming into the team brings a lot of continuity, He’s going to be with Andy for maybe 40 weeks of the year. He did a great job with Gilles Muller and I think he’s doing a great job with the team now. Things weren’t going particularly well with Mauresmo, so to finish that chapter and start afresh the way he’s played in the last month is very positive."
Murray Serve: "I’ve definitely noticed how he has served particularly well at big moments, on big points, which is always a good platform for your game, He looks very comfortable in his movement and his shot selection has been very good. I like the way he changes the pace. When he gets the chance he’s very aggressive off his backhand and on the forehand he’s used a little bit more spin to get back into the points. There are a lot of very positive signs"
On Djokovic
“He was obviously a little bit fatigued towards the end of Rome, but his overall consistency and the way he’s played in the biggest events has been absolutely phenomenal, Look at the rankings and how far ahead he is as No 1. If there’s vulnerability there, what does it say for the rest of the tour?â€
On Nadal
"The standard at the top is always improving, That’s the reality of the tour at the highest level. If you’re standing still you’re going to get left behind. I think Nadal is playing great tennis, but I think the level has probably gone up at the top of the game."
“I also think the belief of other players has changed when they play him. So many people used to think he was virtually unbeatable on clay, but since he started showing some vulnerability opponents have been going on court thinking that they can cause an upset. Having said that, there’s no doubt that with his track record in Paris he knows how to win there. I definitely wouldn’t be writing him off."
On Federer
“It wouldn’t take him long to find his rhythm, but in terms of match fitness – certainly on clay – it’s a very big ask as he’s been struggling for so long, He will be looking to give himself a foundation to see what he can do in Paris, but it may be that he has half an eye on the grass already.â€
French Open Predictions
"I see Djokovic as the favourite in Paris, but with Murray, Nadal and Wawrinka in a group really close behind.â€
Wawrinka has the highest level on clay
"In terms of the highest level of tennis that anyone can produce on a clay court I think that Wawrinka’s might be the highest,†Henman said. “When he’s on song I imagine it must be nigh on impossible to play against him given the firepower that he has and the speed he can generate from the back of the court and on serve.
“The challenge for him is the consistency. Whereas Djokovic, for example, plays well nearly all the time, Wawrinka is much more inconsistent. However, I’m sure that he’ll get a lot of positive vibes from last year in coming back as the defending champion."
On Murray
Rome: "To win a big final like that and to play as well as he did bodes very well for Paris. I like the place where he’s at with his team. Mentally he’s been very calm and focused on the court."
Coaching: "Jamie Delgado coming into the team brings a lot of continuity, He’s going to be with Andy for maybe 40 weeks of the year. He did a great job with Gilles Muller and I think he’s doing a great job with the team now. Things weren’t going particularly well with Mauresmo, so to finish that chapter and start afresh the way he’s played in the last month is very positive."
Murray Serve: "I’ve definitely noticed how he has served particularly well at big moments, on big points, which is always a good platform for your game, He looks very comfortable in his movement and his shot selection has been very good. I like the way he changes the pace. When he gets the chance he’s very aggressive off his backhand and on the forehand he’s used a little bit more spin to get back into the points. There are a lot of very positive signs"
On Djokovic
“He was obviously a little bit fatigued towards the end of Rome, but his overall consistency and the way he’s played in the biggest events has been absolutely phenomenal, Look at the rankings and how far ahead he is as No 1. If there’s vulnerability there, what does it say for the rest of the tour?â€
On Nadal
"The standard at the top is always improving, That’s the reality of the tour at the highest level. If you’re standing still you’re going to get left behind. I think Nadal is playing great tennis, but I think the level has probably gone up at the top of the game."
“I also think the belief of other players has changed when they play him. So many people used to think he was virtually unbeatable on clay, but since he started showing some vulnerability opponents have been going on court thinking that they can cause an upset. Having said that, there’s no doubt that with his track record in Paris he knows how to win there. I definitely wouldn’t be writing him off."
On Federer
“It wouldn’t take him long to find his rhythm, but in terms of match fitness – certainly on clay – it’s a very big ask as he’s been struggling for so long, He will be looking to give himself a foundation to see what he can do in Paris, but it may be that he has half an eye on the grass already.â€
French Open Predictions
"I see Djokovic as the favourite in Paris, but with Murray, Nadal and Wawrinka in a group really close behind.â€
