Wimbledon finally makes a much-awaited return to the Tennis calendar after being the only Grand Slam cancelled in 2020. So, amid all the excitement, here are the players to keep a keen eye on through the iconic tournament at SW19.
The 134th edition of Wimbledon begins on the 28th of June. Perhaps the most iconic Grand Slam, it is finally back after being skipped last year due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Novak Djokovic will be looking to defend his crown, while women’s defending champion Simona Halep withdrew from the tournament which means there will most likely be a new name on the women’s singles trophy. Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka were probably the two closest challengers for the Men’s and Women’s titles but their withdrawals have blown their respective draws wide open.
Before this prestigious tournament begins, we have the 5 Men and 5 women you need to watch out for at the upcoming Championships.
MEN’S SINGLES:
1. Novak Djokovic
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The current World Number 1 is most people’s favourite for the title and rightfully so. The Serb has been in red hot form this year, winning both the Australian Open and the French Open, in chase of the revered Golden Slam. We can’t forget that he is the defending champion at this year’s Championships, making him our number one pick.
2. Roger Federer
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Federer may have had a shaky start to his 2021 season, but let’s be honest, its Roger Federer at Wimbledon. After winning 8 titles, Centre Court is like his living room at this point. The Swiss maestro has been preparing extensively for Wimbledon, and he even withdrew from Roland Garros after looking in great touch in Paris, in order to get his body ready for Wimbledon. Roger has to fight against age along with the wealth of talent in the Men’s draw, but he always seems to unlock that next level when he is on the grass.
3. Stefanos Tsitsipas
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Stefanos Tsitsipas has shown the tennis world he is a force to be reckoned with. The 22-year old is fresh off a sensational run at Roland Garros where he fell short to Djokovic in a thrilling final. He too has enjoyed his tennis this year and will be looking to keep up his great run of form at Wimbledon.
4. Daniil Medvedev
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World Number 2 Daniil Medvedev will be looking to break his Wimbledon duck this year. The Russian has failed to get past the third round in his three outings here, making it his least successful Grand Slam. This year could be different for the 25-year old who is playing some of the best tennis of his career so far and will be looking to prove to be a real thorn in Djokovic’s side.
5. Andy Murray
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Perhaps a surprise entry in this list but Andy Murray is back playing Grand Slam tennis after an eight-month hiatus. He will be looking to replicate his 2016 form in his first Wimbledon since 2017. Murray who is ranked 119th in the World will be looking to make some noise at Wimbledon with the crowd on his side.
WOMEN’S SINGLES:
1. Ashleigh Barty
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Top seed Ashleigh Barty is another player with injury woes. She was forced to retire at Roland Garros in only the second round and has not played a single competitive game of tennis on grass this year before Wimbledon. The Australian has a rather poor record at Wimbledon but will be looking to silence her doubters this year by challenging for Halep’s title.
2. Serena Williams
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A draw plagued with injuries could prove to be absolutely ideal for the great Serena Williams. The World Number 7 is looking to finally claim that elusive 24th Major which would put her on par with Margaret Court. The only doubt for Serena is her poor run of form which she will be wanting to turn around by taking advantage of this open draw in order to go the distance at the Championships.
3. Barbora Krejčiková
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Barbora Krejčiková will be looking to carry forward her form from the French Open into Wimbledon. A winner in Paris against all odds, like Williams, she too will want to capitalise on this her competitors’ injury concerns in her bid to make it two Singles’ Grand Slam titles.
4. Coco Gauff
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Teenage sensation Coco Gauff always seems to bring that something different to the women’s draw. The 17-year old has already established herself as a threat to the top players and she is especially dangerous on grass where she first came into the spotlight only at the age of fifteen.
5. Aryna Sabalenka
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World Number 3 Aryna Sabalenka will be looking to bounce back from her disappointing outing in Paris. An already proven doubles player, she is gaining more and more prestige as a singles player. The Belarusian has already garnered grass-court experience before taking the court at Wimbledon. She is also not carrying any injuries which seem to be an advantage looking at the current situation in the Women’s draw.
Wimbledon finally returns after 2 years, the anticipation is sky high and especially after the exhilarating French Open, fans across the world are expecting the grass season to follow suit and conclude in the same way as the clay season. Both the Men’s and Women’s draws are primed to bring excitement and entertaining tennis at the 134th edition of Wimbledon.
Aarya Bhagwat