TENNIS in DEPTH.

The battle for the No. 1 position in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings is heating up and there could be a change at the top after Wimbledon.

Roger Federer collected his first Roland Garros title on June 7 to complete a career Grand Slam and equal Pete Sampras’ all-time Grand Slam titles mark of 14. With Nadal sidelined due to injury, Federer’s fate at Wimbledon is in his own hands. Win the title and reclaim No. 1. Anything short of a sixth Wimbledon title won’t be enough.

Federer went into Roland Garros 4,490 points behind the Spaniard but after winning the title, he cut the margin to 2,070 points on 8 June. Both players withdrew from grass court tournaments in preparation for Wimbledon and lost 450 points from their respective 2008 titles won in Halle (Federer) and Queen’s (Nadal).

If Federer wins his sixth Wimbledon title then he will regain No. 1 on July 6. World No. 3 Andy Murray could go to No. 2 by winning Wimbledon but no higher. Although he won Queen’s Murray’s points total didn’t change as it replaced the 250 that he won at Doha in January. His 0-point penalty from Indianapolis stays on for 12 months and will drop on July 20.

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