Tennis mailbag, with CNN's Candy Reid
(CNN) -- Do you have a question about tennis for World Sport Anchor Candy Reid? E-mail candy@cnn.com.
Q. Candy, I am interested to know who you think will win Wimbledon this year, men's and women's?
Olga, Bray.
A. Well Olga, on the men's side, the obvious answer is Roger Federer. He loves the All England Championship and has the perfect game to be successful on the grass as he's shown on numerous occasions. Another contender this year, I think, will be Joachim Johansson -- the big serving Swede. And who can rule Tim Henman out. This surely has to be his last real chance -- and I believe he can still do it. He'll certainly have the British public on his side.
The women's competition is much more open, but I think the winner will come from this group: Lindsay Davenport, Amelie Mauresmo, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and the Belgian duo (Clijsters & Henin-Hardenne.) There are also several big-hitting youngsters who could do well including the very impressive Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic but both probably will need a little more time to get used to grass.
Q. Candy, What is your view about Nadal? Is he a future champion, or has he already peaked? We love your mailbag and want to know---will you be at the French open and Wimbledon?
John Steed, London.
A. Glad you enjoy the mailbag John -- as for the French and Wimbledon, unfortunately I won't be able to go but I'll be watching with interest from CNN's headquarters here in Atlanta.
Rafael Nadal is truly a great player -- and he's only 18. He has a good all round game; obviously loves competition and thrives on the big occasions. He, in my mind, is the favorite for the French Open - his record on clay this season has been truly remarkable.
The only worrying thing about him, like Lleyton Hewitt, is how hard he has to work for each point so in time he could wear out. The key for him is to not to over-play especially since he looks like he's still growing.
Q. Hi! I'm Roger's biggest fan from the Philippines and I'm planning to go to the US Open this year to see him play. My question: Can I just buy US Open tickets at ticket booths in the US Open grounds just before Roger's games? Or do I need to buy it beforehand thru the net? Also, are there special tickets or something for overseas fans? I would really like to get Roger's autograph! Thanks!
A. You're best bet is to go to the official Web site www.usopen.org and buy tickets that way. Federer will more than likely be the 1st seed, so he'll be scheduled to play on the top courts. I always think that the best time to go is the first week -- since there will also be some cracking matches on the outside courts as well!
Q. Hi, Candy! I have just recently seen a commercial that features Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf playing tennis then it hit me that I have not really seen a player, in the WTA tour the fast few years, that has the movement of Steffi Graf on the court. She may not be as fast as the William Sisters or as bulky as them, nor hit the ball as hard as the Williams Sisters but there seems to be that effortless flow and grace when she plays on the court. I can't seem to explain why or how. What is your take on this? Also, I remember commentators, like McEnroe, Mary Carillo, Andrea Jaeger (I'm not sure of the last name) all said the she hits ball late. Could you explain that, please? Thank you and enjoy your weekend.
Sincerely, Devera, Lawrence NJ
A. Devera, I think that Steffi Graf was the most athletic tennis player I have ever seen. As you say, she seemed to float around the court. I saw her practice several times with her coach Heinz Gunthardt and it was tiring just watching -- she never stopped. If she wanted to, I'm sure she could rejoin the tour and be very successful -- even after having two children!
She hit her forehand a little later than most, but it was by far her best shot because she disguised it so well. It was almost impossible to say which way it was going until she actually made contact. Usually if you hit the ball late, it's very difficult to go crosscourt -- but in her case that wasn't so. Her opponents finally cottoned on that the only way to beat her was to hit to her backhand. The problem with that was she never missed on that side -- she just keep slicing it back, deep and low until she had time to move round her backhand (with her amazing footwork) and hit a forehand up the line, crosscourt, down the middle etc!
