By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon
- Novak Djokovic looks for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title as the Serb looks to power past the next generation once again.
- Top Seeds: Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud
- British Interest: Cameron Norrie [12], Dan Evans [27], Andy Murray, Liam Broady [WC], Jan Choinski [WC], Arthur Fery {WC], George Loffhagen [WC], Ryan Peniston [WC]
LONDON, ENGLAND – Defending champion Novak Djokovic searches for a record-equalling eight Wimbledon title when he once again takes on the next generation of players.
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[1] Carlos Alcaraz
Best Result: Fourth Round (2022)
Alcaraz reclaimed his world number one spot by winning Queen’s Club but now returns to Wimbledon to prove that he can bring his best tennis to the Grand Slam stage.
Alcaraz’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Jeremy Chardy | H2H: First Meeting
- R2: Alexandre Muller | H2H: First Meeting
- R3: Nicolas Jarry [25] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 1-0
- R4: Alex De Minaur [15] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 2-0
- QF: Holger Rune [6] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
- SF: Daniil Medvedev [3] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
- F: Novak Djokovic [2] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
A tough opening round awaits Alcaraz as he takes on Jeremy Chardy who is a player that has a big game to test any player on grass and can make the Spaniard rush his shots. After that opening test it should be relatively straightforward for Alcaraz although players like Alexander Zverev, Matteo Berrettini and Alex De Minaur are obstacles that Alcaraz may have to be wary of if any of those three players hit their peak form. A match against Holger Rune could await in the quarter-finals although Grigor Dimitrov might have something to say about that with a semi-final against Daniil Medvedev looking unlikely given Sebastian Korda and possibly Stefanos Tsitsipas are bigger threats in that quarter of the draw. Overall, it won’t be a surprise to see Alcaraz as the biggest challenge to Novak Djokovic’s reign at Wimbledon even if the Spaniard still needs to prove himself consistently at Grand Slam level.
[2] Novak Djokovic
Best Result: Champion (2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
After winning a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, Djokovic has all the momentum and self-belief heading into his third consecutive Wimbledon title defence.
Djokovic’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Pedro Cachin | H2H: First Meeting
- R2: Brandon Nakashima | H2H: First Meeting
- R3: Tomas Martin Etcheverry [29] | H2H: Djokovic leads 1-0
- R4: Lorenzo Musetti [14] | H2H: Djokovic leads 3-1
- QF: Andrey Rublev [7] | H2H: Djokovic leads 3-1
- SF: Casper Ruud [4] | H2H: Djokovic leads 5-0
- F: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
Djokovic’s favourite status to win Wimbledon have increased after his draw even if Jordan Thompson or Brandon Nakashima have the tools to trouble the seven-time champion. A simple draw in the first week is followed by a potentially complicated last 16 clash against either Lorenzo Musetti or former semi-finalist Hubert Hurkacz. The likes of Andrey Rublev, Nick Kyrgios or Felix Auger-Aliassime will look to provide a substantial threat to Djokovic’s title hopes in the quarter-finals. Jannik Sinner or Taylor Fritz look to be the strongest semi-final obstacle in the way of a potential final with Carlos Alcaraz. Overall Djokovic is the heavy favourite to win Wimbledon again this year as he looks to tie Roger Federer on most titles won at SW19.
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[3] Daniil Medvedev
Best Results: Fourth Round (2021)
Medvedev is yet to have an impact at Wimbledon but will hope that 2023 is the year that his fortunes will change after having a consistent season so far.
Medvedev’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Arthur Fery [WC] | H2H: First Meeting
- R2: Adrian Mannarino | H2H: Mannarino leads 4-2
- R3: Tallon Griekspoor [28] | H2H: First Meeting
- R4: Tommy Paul [16] | H2H: Medvedev leads 1-0
- QF: Stefanos Tsitsipas [5] | H2H: Medvedev leads 8-4
- SF: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
- F: Novak Djokovic [2] | H2H: Djokovic leads 9-5
Medvedev has an extremely tough first week with Adrian Mannarino awaiting in the second round, a player Medvedev lost to in the second round of s-Hertogenbosch and a player who loves grass courts. That’s followed up by the s-Hertogenbosch champion Tallon Griekspoor in the third round. Should Medvedev make it to the second week then he has a decent chance of reaching the final four even if the in-form Sebastian Korda could be awaiting in the quarter-finals. Overall it’s a terrible draw for Medvedev who will class an appearance in the last 16 as a successful tournament.
[4] Casper Ruud
Best Result: Second Round (2022)
Ruud’s grass court preparation has included playing golf and attending concerts after reaching a second consecutive final at Roland Garros, so it’s safe to say expectations are fairly low for the Norwegian heading into this year’s Wimbledon.
Ruud’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Laurent Lokoli [Q] | H2H: First Meeting
- R2: Constant Lestienne | H2H: First Meeting
- R3: Denis Shapovalov [26] | H2H: Ruud leads 2-0
- R4: Borna Coric [13] | H2H: Coric leads 1-0
- QF: Jannik Sinner [8] | H2H: Sinner leads 2-0
- SF: Novak Djokovic [2] | H2H: Djokovic leads 5-0
- F: Carlos Alcaraz [1] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 3-0
Ruud has a good opportunity to achieve his joint best performance at Wimbledon this year although a third round match against Denis Shapovalov or Lloyd Harris could prove too much for the Norwegian. Should Ruud reach the second week for the first time at SW19, then Borna Coric, Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz should prove too strong in the Norwegian’s bid to reach back-to-back Grand Slam finals.
Wimbledon 2023 takes place between 3 – 16 July.
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