The duel for number one in men continues at the most prestigious tennis tournament: Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz replaced Novak Djokovic on Monday after winning London’s Queen’s Club, but the 36-year-old Serb is at Wimbledon from Monday to April 16 .July by far more.
Because with his eighth title on the “sacred lawn” he could draw level with Roger Federer and also increase to 24 titles in the major record hunt.
Then Djokovic would not only have surpassed the long-term injured Rafael Nadal by two men’s titles, but would also leave Serena Williams (23) behind and draw level with all-time leader Margaret Court (24). However, the Australian had won 13 of her triumphs before the start of the “open era” (including professionals).
“Djoker” unbeaten at Wimbledon since 2018
Djokovic has been unbeaten at Wimbledon since 2018 and has won all the titles since then, although 2020 could not be played due to the coronavirus pandemic. Last year his triumph in the ranking went unrewarded. No points were awarded by the player organizations ATP and WTA because players from Russia and Belarus were banned by the organizers due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was the only one of the four major tournaments that did this.
A maintenance of the ban was not enforceable in terms of sports policy for Wimbledon. However, the organizers did not allow the opening for Daniil Medvedev, Aryna Sabalenka and Co. out of conviction. It was a result of punishment and the pressure of possible consequences. The “real prospect of terminating our membership” in the ATP and WTA in the event of another start ban would have left the British Tennis Association (LTA) almost no other choice. As reported by the BBC, the LTA was fined $750,000 by the WTA and $1 million by the ATP.
Djokovic and Co. now have full competition again, but also the points for the ranking again. Although the only 20-year-old Alcaraz is repeatedly compared to the “big three” (Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer) because of his talent and his previous achievements, the Spaniard is only a co-favourite.
Alcaraz on Djokovic: “Just crazy”
He knows that himself: “It helps me to go to Wimbledon as number one, but I still lack a lot of experience on this surface.” And he knows Djokovic’s Wimbledon stats. “I read that Novak won more matches than the rest of the top 20 combined,” said Alcaraz with a mixture of smiles and awe.
“And he hasn’t lost on Center Court since 2013. It’s just crazy.” It is clear that Djokovic is the huge favorite. “But I hope I will have the fans on my side to change that statistic.”
Alcaraz already has a US Open title in his pocket, but has not yet defeated a player in the “big three” in a major tournament. What is no longer possible against Federer, and which is becoming increasingly unlikely against Nadal, he may be able to do against Djokovic. In the semifinals of Roland Garros, the much-hyped duel with the Serb was (still) too much – after two intense sets, Alcaraz was shaken by cramps and ultimately had no chance. And Djokovic then marched to the 23rd major title.
Women’s field open, three ÖTV fixed starters
The women’s title is far more open, with six different winners in the past six editions. And the otherwise strong Pole Iga Swiatek has not (still) found her game on grass: With three participations so far, the round of 16 in 2021 was the best of the three-time French Open and four-time Grand Slam winner.
That’s why Sabalenka from Belarus, who was banned last year in world rankings and winner of the Australian Open, and defending champion Elena Rybakina (KAZ) are more capable than Swiatek. In addition, there is the ambitious last year’s finalist Ons Jabeur from Tunisia, who wants to be the first African and Arab to win a major singles tournament.
From an Austrian point of view, there are three fixed starters for the first time in a long time: Dominic Thiem, who fought against Alcaraz at an exhibition in London, among others, is there for the first time in four years and for the seventh time. The highlight of the 2020 US Open winner was the round of 16 on Church Road 2017. That would be considered a great success this time. Thiem, who celebrated a tournament victory on grass in Stuttgart in 2016, has only played in five majors since the round of 16 in Melbourne 2021 because of the long-term injury – and lost five times in round one.
Grabher celebrates his debut, Ofner in the main draw for the first time since 2017
Both Sebastian Ofner and Austria’s best woman, Julia Grabher, have a clear upward trend. French Open eighth finalist Ofner could almost be described as “hot” because his form and consistency brought him five Challenger finals in addition to Paris this year.
Most recently in Ilkley, the final was enough for a wildcard for Wimbledon, which he would have earned anyway from the position. His improvement to 69th place came too late for the Wimbledon cut.
For Grabher, who was in 145th place a year ago before Wimbledon and now has her best ranking in 54th, it is the main draw debut. Lawn is by no means her favorite surface, but sand. Serve and return, even more important on grass, she needs to step up at Wimbledon. She also knew that after her opening break in Bad Homburg.
2023-06-29 07:06:24
#Djokovic #chases #number #Wimbledon #Federer #record
