Wimbledon 2021: Stefanos Tsitsipas leads pack hoping to stop Novak Djokovic’s march

With Rafael Nadal absent and considerations over the shape and health of Roger Federer, the hunt is on for somebody to problem Novak Djokovic’s seemingly inevitable march in the direction of a twentieth grand slam title.

It says lots concerning the paucity of competitors for world primary Djokovic that the third seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, has gained solely three matches in his three visits to the All England membership.

However the 22-year-old did lead Djokovic by two units earlier than falling to defeat on this month’s French Open ultimate, and he insisted: “I’m wanting ahead to the grasscourt season.

“I see alternatives there for me. I just like the grass. I like enjoying on grass. I didn’t have the perfect outcomes few years in the past, earlier than Covid, once I final performed on grass.

“I’m going to try to adapt my recreation to this floor. I feel I’ve the sport to play good on grass, too. I simply must be open-minded and adapt my recreation to this floor.”

Russian world quantity seven Andrey Rublev has gained an unbelievable 33 matches this yr and reached the ultimate at Halle final week to underline his grasscourt credentials.

In the meantime, Matteo Berrettini’s victory at Queen’s Membership will mark him out as one other main risk.

The 25-year-old Italian, ranked ninth on the earth, grew to become the primary debutant to triumph at Queen’s since Boris Becker in 1985. Becker, in fact, went on to win Wimbledon a few weeks later.

Berrettini reached the second week of the Championships two years in the past the place he was crushed comprehensively within the final 16 by Federer.

He mentioned: “I had the possibility to play Roger on Centre, it was my dream as a child and I actually loved it, regardless of shedding. I noticed my idol over the web and I used to be overwhelmed.

“However that match actually helped me within the subsequent few slams. Now I’ve a number of confidence, I do know I’m enjoying properly, I’m pushing myself in these situations, I’m pleased with my mindset and I do know I can play good in Wimbledon.

“All of the gamers have further motivation going right into a slam however I couldn’t consider something higher than this going into Wimbledon.”

With Naomi Osaka having withdrawn and doubts lingering over the health of Ashleigh Barty and Simona Halep, the ladies’s draw is one for the pinstickers, as evidenced by the looks of 4 first-time semi-finalists at Roland Garros.

There might be excessive hopes for Polish teenager Iga Swiatek, final yr’s French Open champion, however even she admitted: “I don’t know if I even bear in mind how one can play on grass.

“I’m not placing any expectations or any stress on me as a result of actually I simply need to discover ways to play on it. In all probability I’m going to say that for few extra years.”