Learning from the pros

The biggest thing about having success on grass is how good your second serve is.That's why Pete Sampras, Boris Becker and my brother did so well on grass. A strong second serve gives you the freedom to go for big first serves consistently. If you don't serve well, it becomes a liability -- even though the bounce at Wimbledon is true for a grass court -- because it gives returners a good look at the ball. Roger Federer has a strong second serve, which is why he's my dark horse pick. So does Andy Roddick. He's not as comfortable around the net, but that strong second serve will make him a factor. Marat Safin has a strong second serve, but he's too up-and-down mentally to have a chance. It's that ability to have easy consistent holds of serve that wins matches. It's too difficult to break your opponent on grass, so it's important to have most of your service games pretty easy. Other things to note are the importance of shotmaking and athleticism. Also, the ability to improvise because of the low bounce and the unsure bounce in the second week when the course gets chewed up. For people who are watching at home, it pays on grass to take the ball early with serve and volley or on top of the baseline. You can't wait for things to happen -- you make them happen. Andre Agassi makes things happen from the baseline because he takes the ball early.

It's obviously a make-or-break tournament for Pete Sampras -- having struggled so much. It's, if not his last chance, his second to last chance. If he doesn't have a great run at Wimbledon -- getting to the semifinals or better -- it's going to be tough for him.

I think he can do it. Having seen him practice for a week at Davis Cup, his game is there. He just needs to get his confidence going. But I wouldn't put him as the clear favorite as you would every year throughout the '90s. Saying that, he's one of the contenders along with the top seed Lleyton Hewitt.

Hewitt's speed, counter-punching ability and especially his return of serve are key to his success on grass. The big question for Hewitt is will he be able to hold serve consistently over the course of the two weeks to take advantage of his great return.

Obviously Andre Agassi with his power and baseline game -- and the way he's looked this year -- he's one of the top contenders. And of course with his nemesis the past couple of years, Patrick Rafter, out of the way, Agassi should make a significant run this year. Although he's in the same half of the draw as Sampras, Marat Safin, Andy Roddick and, let's not forget, Todd Martin, who I think could make a good run this year. He's my dark horse in the bottom half of the draw.

Another contender is Tim Henman, the Brit. He has an excellent draw. He should make it though to the semifinals without much problem. His question is the same as always: Will he be able to handle the pressure on the biggest stage at the biggest moment?

My dark horse for the title and my pick for the title is the young Swiss shotmaker Roger Federer. His game is tailor-made for the lawns of Wimbledon. Power, speed, versatility and genius with the racket all translate into a certain Wimbledon champ at some point. The question is when.

Patrick McEnroe, the author of "Tennis for Dummies," is providing ESPN.com with analysis during Wimbledon.