Bad weather is almost as good as a tradition for Wimbledon

Talk of Wimbledon and the word tradition immediately comes to mind. This is the 130th edition of The Championships, as they call it in the tennis calendar.

Among all Grand Slams, the Wimbledon fortnight is unique for its charm, grace and elegance. Around the world and through the long tennis season, you will find all kinds of innovations and players turning out in garish colours.

But not at SW19, where predominantly white is still the order. It's quite a sight: green grass, white attire and players trying to be on their best behaviour.

Call it tradition or the sheer aura of the venue, Wimbledon is a cut above the rest for all.

But if there is one thing which remains a nightmare in one of the richest suburbs of London, it has to be the unpredictable weather.

There can be sunshine one moment and the very next minute grey skies and a sudden downpour.

This week, it has not rained by the buckets, but it has still given players a tough time.

Roger Federer says he is lucky to be going into the second week in a lot of comfort as he has faced two Britons and played only on Centre Court. But for those who are not very comfortable with getting on and off the court thanks to rain, it can be very frustrating.

Seasoned players like the Williams sisters know that at Wimbledon, you need tons of patience. You may have the right rhythm and just be in the zone to close out a match when the skies open up.

And you can do nothing about it if you are on the outside courts.

Over the last 14 years, there has been a big change in playing conditions at The Championships. In the mid '80s, followed by Pete Sampras' incredible run at Wimbledon, tennis on grass was slick and fast.

Serve-and-volley sultans dished out lightning serves and razor-sharp volleys which was a visual delight.

For those who watched the fortnight action around the globe on television, there was also a group which cribbed. They felt the points were too short when grass court specialists were performing at their peak.

Changes were made to make the ball heavier and courts slower. As the decline of serve-and-volley began, baseline barons started feeling more comfortable on grass.

That explains how on Centre Court these days, players like Stan Wawrinka and Juan Martin Del Potro can stand at the baseline and keep teasing each other in long rallies.

As such, the change in tennis at Wimbledon can be experienced only if one is watching it live.

There are many positives for tennis at large as even those who are not natural players on grass can do well in the summer's biggest Grand Slam event.

But then, when the weather gets wet and rain plays havoc with schedules, it's always better if you have the experience of dealing with it.

For players like Federer or Andy Murray, handling interruptions is not something to worry about.

Yet, for newcomers who are more used to playing in outdoor or indoor arenas, grass becomes very demanding. It's frustrating to switch off and switch on. One has to be patient.

Even if the modern inflated covers are removed, there is a bit of moisture on the grass.

The lucky few continue with matches on Centre Court under the retractable roof, but to imagine the entire tournament being played indoors is impossible.

There is speculation that by 2019 Court No 1 will also have a roof.

But then, given the expansive layout of the complex and with so many matches to be gone through, vagaries of weather do count.

The character of the ball has changed and the court offers truer bounce, but eventually one has to deal with the wind and chill, run in and out of the locker room and be ready to play at short notice.

This is the toughest fortnight in the calendar and to win seven matches for lifting the coveted title means you are tough in every sense.

So between rain breaks and appearances on court, a player has to learn to spend time meaningfully and stay composed.

Again, tradition, if you like it!

(Courtesy of Mail Today.)