As Andy Murray’s victory at the weekend raises hopes of a British victory at Wimbledon, Andy Welch asks veteran presenter John Inverdale what we should expect from this year’s tournament.

LOADED with tradition and heritage, Wimbledon is one the world’s most prestigious sporting events, the title coveted by tennis’s big names above all others. And this could be Britain’s year.

At the weekend Andy Murray became the first home-grown champion at Queen’s since 1938 with a straight sets victory against American James Blake. The British number one, who is now very hot property indeed, celebrated with a curry but is back on court today, practising at Wimbledon.

The very real hopes he might become the first Briton to win the men’s title since Fred Perry, in 1936, will no doubt draw big crowds to witness the matches live, and tempt even luke-warm tennis fans to the small screen.

As a television spectacle, Wimbledon has become the jewel in the BBC’s sporting crown.

On the spot once again this year down in SW19 will be John Inverdale, a Wimbledon veteran who has been anchoring TV and radio broadcasts from the All England Club for more than two decades.

“This is my 24th tournament working for the BBC,” he says. “I don’t know whether that should be a source of pride or a source of horror.

It’s some passage of time.”

During that time there have been a number of subtle changes at Wimbledon in the best interests of the game, yet Inverdale is a big fan of the tournament’s timeless tradition.

“The All England Club has embraced change and technology, yet the same values and qualities still hold firm,” he says. “Every year it’s slightly different, but somehow the same.”

The biggest change this year is the retractable roof covering Centre Court. Ask anyone, especially the players, what’s the worst thing about Wimbledon and they’ll almost undoubtedly say the weather.

In Britain, we know all too well how unreliable our climate can be, but foreign viewers watching from sunnier climes must look on and scratch their heads when they see endless analysis in the studio, or re-runs of past matches instead of live tennis.

“There are only so many times you can show McEnroe v Borg from the Seventies,” says Inverdale.

“I think we’ve reached a point where broadcasters and fans are saying ‘no more’ to the rain breaks. Wimbledon almost has a duty to provide virtually non-stop tennis every day of the Championships.

“If there’s no rain this year it won’t make a blind bit of difference, of course, but the roof will change the nature of championships where we’ve had loads of matches backed up because of stoppages, and players have had to play two or three consecutive matches.

“The hard luck stories of players being knocked out because they’re exhausted are much less likely to happen. Ultimately, it shows fantastic progress.”

There is a downside to the end of rain breaks, however. Inverdale explains: “The roof will mean those frantic afternoons when we have hours of TV to fill are gone, but then some of those days, especially when I was doing radio coverage, could be very enjoyable – like the day Tom Hanks came and sat with us for hours because he had nothing else to do. He’d had his strawberries and cream, he’d had a cup of tea, so he came to sit with us in the commentary box for ten minutes… and ended up staying the whole day.

“It’s a purely selfish thing, but that was one of the great joys from my time doing the job.”

THE new and improved Centre Court was opened on May 17, with a celebratory game of mixed doubles featuring former Great British hope Tim Henman and 2003 ladies’ champion Kim Clijsters. They faced off against husband-and-wife duo Andre Agassi, who triumphed in 1992, and Steffi Graf, who scooped seven ladies’ titles between 1988 and 1996.

“Watching Steffi Graf play, I couldn’t help wonder, even at the age of 40, where she would be ranked in the women’s game if she was playing now. She was incredible,” says Inverdale.

Naturally, the conversation comes around to his top tips for this year’s tournament. World number one and reigning men’s champion Rafael Nadal is nursing an injury that has placed doubts over his participation, but Inverdale says: “If he decides to play, I think he’ll struggle to get past the first week.”

That leaves the way open for Roger Federer, rejuvenated after winning the French Open, to claim his sixth title at Wimbledon and his 15th Grand Slam title overall to make him the most successful men’s player of all time.

Inverdale also believes there’s a threat from big server Andy Roddick, if he can hold his game together, or the 22-year-old Serbian Novak Djokovic.

The biggest challenge, however, comes from Murray, who many believe will become Britain’s first men’s singles champion since 1936.

“A Murray v Federer final, in many ways, is the dream final. Federer’s going for the record 15th title, but Murray winning would be the sporting event of the year,” says Inverdale.

“Wimbledon aside, Murray has beaten Federer on so many occasions, so he knows he can do it. There’s an awful lot of tennis to be played between now and then, but that’s the dream.”

Over on the women’s side of the draw, Inverdale believes Serena Williams will rediscover her form on grass to claim her third singles title, but isn’t overly impressed with the current state of affairs in the women’s game.

“The ladies’ game is crying out for a few players the public will latch onto and care whether they win or lose,” he says. “There are a lot of great players there, but they’re all much of a muchness.

“I was in Paris watching the quarter-finals of the French Open, and as an impartial observer I didn’t really care who won or lost, which is odd. I’m sure things will sort themselves out.

“Conversely, I think the men’s grass-court game is as entertaining as tennis has ever been. We just need a British champion – and then we can stop talking about 1936 and Fred Perry.”

Over to you, Andy...

■ John Inverdale is part of the BBC commentary team during Wimbledon 2009, which begins on Monday.