Lleyton on 'Wimby'...

I was going to ignore this one and I don't want to jump ahead to the grass court season too soon, but I'm torn between treating this as a strangely compelling source of inspiration or an especially contemptuous form of mirth.

Either way I continue to admire Rusty, who probably thinks he can do anything now that he's downed Ivo in a five setter that saw the wandering monster fire no less than a staggering 55 aces at him - a new world record.

The BBC headlines the piece as "I can win Wimbledon again - Hewitt", which is almost certain to get you to read it, though I suspect, for all the wrong reasons.

Having said that, you wouldn't be disappointed by what he actually said:

"...there's probably only a handful of players that are capable of winning Wimbledon each year on that particular surface, and I throw my name in the mix, obviously if you get the right draw..."

(Source: BBC Sport)

I'd be interested in finding out who the other players in that handful are - and while we're on the subject, does that hand belong to John Isner or Christophe Rochus?

Inspirational Determination or Delusional Drollery?
(Photo:Reuters)

The reference to 'that particular surface' is interesting - he either means grass itself, which many hard courters do find it strangely difficult to adapt to. Or else, he's in that large camp of grumpy bedwetters* that feel Wimbledon's grass has been slowed down too much. Strange, I would have thought that slower hard court feel would have suited him to a tee.

It's also interesting to note that up until three years ago when Nadal first made the Wimbledon final, Federer himself -- after proclaiming some surprise for how speedily Nadal had adapted to grass -- put both Hewitt and Roddick in that handful too.

Penny for your thoughts Lleyton, on the damage you think you can do to Mr Pink?

* I was in that camp myself, and continue to believe that all four Slams play a little too similarly. The way I see it, is it wouldn't hurt to make the surface a little faster again.. But none of this detracts from how bored I am of hearing this debate year after year after year...