TENNIS:Maybe Andy Murray had one look at the skies and knew that when Wimbledon's Centre Court is denuded of all of its covering due to the renovation taking place, the weather gods become more malevolent than normal. A rain-soaked London welcomed those who hope to triumph on the grass at SW19 but Murray will not be one of them. The 20-year-old yesterday finally conceded that the wrist he injured on the clay in Hamburg last month had not recovered sufficiently for him to step into Tim Henman's shoes and become Britain's perennial hope.
Murray will hear a lot of Fred Perry in the coming years, God help him. Perry was the last male Briton to win here back in 1936.
But tradition decrees that the men's champion begins his Wimbledon defence on Centre Court first day and four times winner Roger Federer lives in hope of reasonable time to deal with Russia's unseeded, Teimuraz Gabashvili, beginning at around 1pm today.
First round matches can be fraught affairs at the best of times and when Federer steps on to an exposed Centre Court, he will do so having pulled out of the warm-up tournament in Halle, Germany, one that has served him so well over the years.
The Swiss number one withdrew from Halle citing the long and gruelling sessions on the clay of Roland Garros culminating in defeat by Wimbledon second seed, Rafael Nadal, in the final. But it has to be said that Federer's ability on the grass suggests that his first round opponents should arrive by tumbrel ride and not the sponsors' courtesy car.
Gabashvili travels to London on the back of seven consecutive first round exits, stretching back to April of this year, and a world ranking of 85. This is also the Wimbledon debut of the man whose nickname is Tsunami- "because he is very nervous on court" it says in his official biog. Hmn . . .
The third seed and four times Queen's tournament winner, Andy Roddick, also opens today on court number one against his American compatriot Justin Gimelstop, another player, whose name is to be found up in the rankings close to that of Gabashvili, the injury-prone player from Santa Monica competing in just four matches this season and registering four defeats.
Roddick, though, can reserve his concern about facing tough opposition. His path to the final will take him onto the same court as Federer at the semi-final stage if the two progress into the end of the second week.
Justine Henin, moving on from her success in the Eastbourne event, follows Roddick.
As Wimbledon tradition also determines that some big names are spread among the outside courts, with Martina Hingis set to meet Britain's Naomi Cavaday at midday on court two and Serena Williams to follow.
Williams's traditional run on to the grass is to disappear back home to Los Angeles and hit London a few days before the second Grand Slam of the year begins.
The theory, no doubt construed by her brilliantly eccentric father, Richard, has worked for the American in the past and how she will be clapping her hands from sunny California this year.
Following Federer on centre court is good old Henman, who plays former French Open champion Carlos Moya and following that pairing, Jelena Jankovic, takes to the grass. The Serb ought to do well this year. Watch her. Her game is suited to grass and her ability to stay in points is second to nobody.
What public empathy there will be will no doubt rest with Britain's Anne Keothavong, who has as much chance of winning as she would of getting heat stroke.
Let the games begin.
(All times BST)
Centre Court (1pm): (1) Roger Federer (Swi) v Teimuraz Gabashvili (Rus), (25) Carlos Moya (Spn) v Tim Henman (Bri), (3) Jelena Jankovic (Ser) v Anne Keothavong (Bri)
Court 1: 3pm: (3) Andy Roddick (USA) v Justin Gimelstob (USA), (1) Justine Henin (Bel) v Jorgelina Cravero (Arg), Nicolas Lapentti (Ecu) v Kevin Kim (USA)
Court 2: Noon: (9) Martina Hingis (Swi) v Naomi Cavaday (Bri), Lourdes Dominguez Lino (Spn) v (7) Serena Williams (USA), (9) James Blake (USA) v Igor Andreev (Rus), Vincent Spadea (USA) v (15) Ivan Ljubicic (Cro)
