Hutchins: ‘Andy’s game steps up for the biggest events’

As always, we Brits turn our attention on to the names who could break the 35-year hoodoo since a British Wimbledon winner graced centre court.

One name that will be missing from that list of possibles is Ross Hutchins, who, after being diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in December, will be missing his first championships since 2005.

However, Hutchins is perfectly placed to give us his insider knowledge.

Laura Robson (world ranking: 37): “Laura is very exciting and an amazing shot-maker who can beat anyone in the world – that’s the exciting thing.

“A lot will depend on her draw, but if she can get to the third or fourth round and get a chance to take on a big name, she can get a taste for something and, as we’ve seen in the past, she can beat a top four player.

Local hope: Wimbledon's Laura Robson

“I would like to see her get into the second week and then start pushing the top players and see how she can handle that, because normally on the centre court stage she performs really well.

“She knows she has time on her side, I think it is a question of maturing into her game style.

“She is a big serving leftie, she talked about issues about serving less double faults, but that will come with age, she is very positive.

“I think with a good coach and the right people in her camp, I think she is a top 10 or 20 player in the next couple of years and then she’ll move on up after that.”

This time: Andy Murray

Andy Murray (world ranking: two): “Andy heads into this year’s event as one of the top three favourites, along with Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

“It’s also impossible to count out seven-time champion Roger Federer, but I think Andy is playing fantastically well and has a great opportunity to get his hands on the trophy for his second Grand Slam title and first Wimbledon crown.

“His record in recent slams is brilliant and his game steps up for the biggest events.”

Heather Watson (world ranking: 57): “Heather has a completely different game style to Laura. She is very athletic, works hard and hits the ball very cleanly. I played mixed doubles with her and she’s a lovely, bubbly girl with a great attitude.

“She plays well on grass, she has a low centre of gravity which is good for grass, and she hits the ball sweetly with good timing.

“Unfortunately, she has been ill with glandular fever for the past couple of months. It was good to see her come back well at Paris, she lost in the first round but she played well in that match – it was her first match back for a few months, which is not easy.

Sweet hitter: Heather Watson

“But again, a lot comes down to the draw and if she can make it into the second week that would be fantastic, and then take on some of the top players.”

Elena Baltacha (world ranking: 185): “Elena has always played well on grass.

“It is probably her best surface and she is a tough cookie, who always plays very well on big occasions.

“She has not been back playing long, but when it comes to something like Wimbledon, she thrives on that occasion.

Tough cookie: Elena Baltacha

“She hits very powerfully, very direct and you know what you are going to get. She does not shy away from challenges, which is something we have at the top of the British women these days.

“In the past, British players did not always perform at the big occasions, hanging around the 200 mark in the rankings.

“Elena will get back in the top 100 in not much time, but it does take time.”

James Ward (world ranking: 216): “James is a very good player. He has won matches on big occasions – he beat Dmitry Tursunov in the Davis Cup in April, he beat a top 40 player at Wimbledon last year and then lost in five sets to Mardy Fish.

Wildcard: James Ward

“He made the semi-final of Queens in 2011, has a big serving game and his back hand is almost as good as anyone’s.

“He has self belief, which is something you cannot underestimate when it comes to big tournaments.

“James has an exciting game that British fans love – he is a dangerous player to face and a lot of players won’t like facing him.”