Jannik Sinner @ 19/10
Carlos Alcaraz @ 12/5
Novak Djokovic @ 16/5
Hubert Hurcacz @ 16/1
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Iga Swiatek @ 16/5
Aryna Sabalenka @ 17/5
Elena Rybakina @ 11/2
Coco Gauff @ 13/2
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The most famous works of playwright Tennessee Williams – such as A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, and Suddenly Last Summer – share some similarities.
They are often set against a backdrop of sweltering, oppressive heat. They feature a cast of fragile, highly-strung characters. And, over the course of the plays, the tension between the two slowly builds to a dramatic climax when the whole pressure-cooker finally explodes.
As Wimbledon prepares to raise the curtain on its latest shimmering production, of the incoming grass menagerie, who is best prepared to withstand the temperature, keep their volatile emotions in check, and bask in the standing ovation that will greet them as they hold the trophy aloft after the final act?
Iga Świątek was in no mood to cede centre-stage during the clay court season. As part of a 19-match winning streak the world #1 won titles on the dirt in Madrid, Rome, and Paris. But the Pole has never ventured beyond the quarter-finals on the verdant turf of Wimbledon – often appearing uneasy and unrehearsed on the surface.
Now a 5x grand slam champion, has the time finally come for her to kick-back and relax on the grass? Or will the tightness and stage-fright once more overwhelm?
With Coco Gauff yet to fully transfer her progress elsewhere to SW19, and with Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina’s preparation being hampered by injury, do not be surprised if a less familiar face gets to taste success this year…along with her strawberries and cream.
Jessica Pegula, Daria Kasatkina, Zheng Qinwen are just three players who should see themselves as serious contenders. And don’t be too surprised if the unseeded Diana Shnaider causes a few upsets in her section of the draw.
In contrast, the ATP half of the tournament is full of cocksure leading men, all of whom will feel confident that they will be the one addressing Centre Court with the concluding speech on July 14th.
World #1 Jannik Sinner and defending Wimbledon Champion Carlos Alcaraz were both being pursued by fitness-related question marks as they approached Roland Garros. But both appear to have outrun them and will arrive in South-West London well-versed – Sinner especially, having just triumphed on the grass courts of Halle; though a tough draw awaits the ice-cold Italian.
Following surgery on a torn medial meniscus in early June, Novak Djokovic looked to be side-stepping the grass swing entirely this year. The Serbian iron-man’s ability to recover from injury is at comic-book superhero levels, however – he has missed only one grand slam due to physical ailment in his near 20-year career – and, remarkably, he will once again take his place as a major contender for Wimbledon’s pineapple-topped gold trophy.
Djokovic also finds himself in what appears to be the easier, lower half of the draw – away from Sinner and Alcaraz – though an in-form Hubert Hurkacz, equipped with a good grass game, could represent a sizeable quarter-final obstacle.
What Andy Murray would give to be able to shrug off injuries with such ease! The two-time champ, at the time of writing, is set to enter the fray with a disrupted prep and persistent back injury – the burden of having to carry the sport for British fans for almost two decades bringing that equally painful retirement announcement one step closer.
Could this be the year Jack Draper elevates his status to superstardom and eases the transition into a post-Murray world? With a grass court title already to his name in 2024, the freshly anointed British #1 could face an intriguing clash with Cameron Norrie in the second round, before being a very difficult opponent for French Open finalist Alexander Zverev in round three.
A tournament of potential farewells and hellos awaits, then. Tantrums and tears, hope and hype, soaring elation and plummeting dejection. Start up the pressure-cooker, and let the intense, swelling drama of the grass menagerie begin…
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