Men to watch at Wimbledon, which begins Monday (statistics through Thursday; seedings in parentheses):
ROGER FEDERER (1)
Age: 28
Country: Switzerland
2010 Match Record: 27-8
2010 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 62
Major Titles: 16 -- Wimbledon ('03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '09), U.S. Open ('04, '05, '06, '07, '08), Australian Open ('04, '06, '07, '10), French Open ('09),
Last 5 Wimbledons: '09-Won Championship, '08-Lost in Final, '07-W, '06-W, '05-W
Topspin: Defending champion has won Wimbledon six of past seven years; trying to join Pete Sampras and Willie Renshaw (who played in the 1800s) as the only men to win seven singles titles at the tournament. ... Record streak of reaching the semifinals at 23 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments ended with quarterfinal loss at French Open. ... Also had reached finals at 18 of previous 19 major tournaments. ... Loss to Lleyton Hewitt in final at Halle, Germany, on June 13, was only Federer's second defeat in 78 grass-court matches since 2003. ... Seeded No. 1, even though he's No. 2 in ATP rankings.
RAFAEL NADAL (2)
Age: 24
Country: Spain
2010 Match Record: 40-5
2010 Singles Titles: 4
Career Singles Titles: 40
Major Titles: 7 -- Wimbledon ('08), Australian Open ('09), French Open ('05, '06, '07, '08, '10)
Last 5 Wimbledons: '09-Did Not Play, '08-W, '07-F, '06-F, '05-2nd
Topspin: Returns to All England Club after pulling out of last year's tournament because of tendinitis in both knees. He was only the second men's champion in 35 years to decline to defend his Wimbledon title. ... Has won 19 of his past 21 matches at Wimbledon, with the only losses coming against Federer in 2006 and 2007 finals. ... Beat Federer 9-7 in fifth set of 2008 final. ... Leads tour with four titles in 2010, including French Open.
ANDY MURRAY (4)
Age: 23
Country: Britain
2010 Match Record: 17-9
2010 Singles Titles: 0
Career Singles Titles: 14
Major Titles: 0 -- Best: F, at U.S. Open in '08, Australian Open in '10
Last 5 Wimbledons: '09-SF, '08-QF, '07-DNP, '06-4th, '05-3rd
Topspin: Has advanced one step further each time he's competed at Wimbledon; if he maintains that pattern, he would reach the final this year. ... As always, the Scot will be under tremendous scrutiny and pressure this fortnight, because there hasn't been a British male champion at any Grand Slam tennis tournament since Fred Perry at the 1936 U.S. Open. ... Began year well by winning first six matches to reach Australian Open final, but is only 11-9 since.
ANDY RODDICK (5)
Age: 27
Country: United States
2010 Match Record: 29-6
2010 Singles Titles: 2
Career Singles Titles: 29
Major Titles: 1 -- U.S. Open ('03)
Last 5 Wimbledons: '09-F, '08-2nd, '07-QF, '06-3rd, '05-F
Topspin: A three-time runner-up at Wimbledon, losing in the final to Federer each time, including last year's 16-14 fifth set. It was, in terms of games, the longest match and longest fifth set in major final history, topping marks set in 1927. ... Has won 91 percent of his service games this season, tied for tour lead. ... Ranks third in total aces.
ROBIN SODERLING (6)
Age: 25
Country: Sweden
2010 Match Record: 27-10
2010 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 5
Major Titles: 0 -- Best: F, at French Open in '09 and '10
Last 5 Wimbledons: '09-4th, '08-2nd, '07-3rd, '06-1st, '05-1st
Topspin: After stunning Nadal in the French Open's fourth round last year, upset Federer in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros this year. Never had been past the third round at a major tournament before the 2009 French Open; now is a two-time runner-up. ... Could this be the year he makes a breakthrough at Wimbledon, where his big serve and forehand should be imposing?