Wimbledon starts today

The oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon, will begin today at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London today. The only major that is still played on grass attracts the biggest stars of the game and this year will be no different.

Although there will be many undertones behind each player's participation, their ultimate ambition will be to lift their respective trophies.

Lleyton Hewitt, a former world number one and a winner of Wimbledon in 2002, will make his final appearance at the tournament, while Spaniard David Ferrer has been forced out with an injury.

They will be vying for a £18,80,000 purse -- an increase of 7 per cent from the 2014's prize money -- alongside the prestige of being Wimbledon winners.

FEDERER PUMPED

Roger Federer says he is in the pefect condition to win Wimbledon for a record eighth time as the Swiss great bids to avenge last year's "heart-breaking" final defeat.
Federer's last appearance at the All England Club 12 months ago ended in the despair of a five-set loss against Novak Djokovic that left him shedding tears during the post-match presentations.
The distraught seven-time champion was so overcome by emotion that Prince William and his wife Kate stopped to console Federer.
"If I look at last year, I see more the positives than actually the heart-breaking loss in the final," Federer said.
"I didn't expect myself to right away make the final. To be honest, I was still somewhat on the way back (from injury). But things went faster than I thought they would.
"It goes to show that last year, I wasn't playing great and I made the finals.
"Whereas now I feel my game is better. I can really aim for Wimbledon this year."

NOVAK'S RETURN

Novak Djokovic had stayed resolutely out of the spotlight since his Roland Garros upset by Stan Wawrinka ended his latest bid to complete the career Grand Slam.
But he insists his heartbreaking French Open final defeat has been consigned to history as he begins his Wimbledon title defence on Monday.
The Serb says he is fired up to defend his Wimbledon crown just as he was in 2011 when he captured his maiden title in London.
"I needed some time off, more mentally rather than physically," said eight-time major winner Djokovic.
"I know it could have been useful to play a couple of official matches on grass, but it's not the first time I'm coming straight into Wimbledon."
Djokovic's loss to Wawrinka was just his third defeat in 44 matches this year.
 "I needed some time off, more mentally rather than physically," said eight-time major winner Djokovic who faces world number 33 German Philipp Kohlschreiber.

SERENA EYES HISTORY

Serena Williams arrives at Wimbledon for the latest stage of her bid for an historic calendar Grand Slam with the praise of her peers ringing in her ears.
Williams has swept to victory at the Australian and French Opens over the last six months and a sixth Wimbledon crown would leave the world number one within touching distance of becoming the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win all four majors in the same year.
The 33-year-old American's march to a memorable milestone has reached the All England Club, where she opens against Russian qualifier Margarita Gasparyan.
And her exploits have captured the attention of fellow players in both the female and male locker rooms.
Asked to assess Serena's place in history and her chances of achieving the calender Slam, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova all offered glowing reviews of the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

MURRAY'S MADAMES

Former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray admits the influence of two of the most important women in his life has played a major role in his renaissance this year.
Just eight months ago, Murray's morale was at an all-time low after a troubled campaign ended with a humiliating 6-0, 6-1 defeat against Roger Federer in the ATP World Tour Finals.
But rather than let those troubles affect him, Murray was able to draw strength from French coach Amelie Mauresmo and his wife Kim.
"In the 12 months that I've been with Amelie, I've come through some difficult moments," Murray told reporters at Wimbledon. 
"I'm glad that I've been able to repay her faith in me with some good tennis this year.
"Also, me and Kim have been together like 10 years now. She's always been a huge support to me, especially when I've gone through tough, tough times as well. She's always been there for me."

MARIA ON THE MEND

Maria Sharapova claims she is back to full fitness just in time for Wimbledon after suffering a health scare in the build-up to the Grand Slam.
Sharapova flew home for tests on the 'flu that proved impossible to shake off during the French Open and ruined her defence of the Roland Garros crown.
The 28-year-old Russian crashed out in the fourth round in Paris as she battled an illness that left her struggling to catch her breath between coughing fits.
"I was hoping I could play a warm-up tournament leading up to Wimbledon. But due to the circumstances I had to go back home and do some tests, run through all that," the five-time Grand Slam champion told reporters at the All England Club.
"I'm much better now, thankfully. It was great to be able to be on the court and not have to cough or blow my nose a hundred times and all those things.
On media day, Sharapova looked much better and she said, "I love to look good for you guys. I got my hair curled and everything."