3 minute read
How the leading men's contenders and Australian hopes shape up for Wimbledon starting on Monday.
HOW THE LEADING MEN'S CONTENDERS SHAPE UP FOR WIMBLEDON:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
Age: 35
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US156,541,453
Career titles: 87
Grand slam titles: 20 (Australian Open 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-16, 2019-21; French Open 2016, 2021; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021; US Open 2011, 2015, 2018)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 79-10
Best Wimbledon results: champion 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021; finalist 2013
After a slow start to 2022, including his shock deportation from Australia in January, the super Serb has steadily returned to his best and will fancy his chances of claiming a 21st grand slam title and first since last year's triumph at SW19. Top seed in the absence of banned world No.1 Daniil Medvedev.
RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)
Age: 35
Ranking: 4
Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US130,681,472
Career titles: 92
Grand slam titles: 22 (Australian Open 2009, 2022; French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; US Open 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 53-12
Best Wimbledon results: champion 2008, 2010; finalist 2006, 2007, 2011
Already the men's all-time major titles leader and now halfway towards completing the first calendar-year grand slam sweep since Rod Laver in 1969 after adding a mind-blowing 14th Roland Garros trophy to his imcomparable record. Chronic foot injury a concern.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (GRE)
Age: 23
Ranking: 6
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US19,546,913
Career titles: 8
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 3-4
Best Wimbledon result: fourth round 2018
The Greek superstar warmed up beautifully with a timely run to his maiden grass-court final in Mallorca. Could face unseeded danger Nick Kyrgios in round three.
CARLOS ALCARAZ (ESP)
Age: 19
Ranking: 7
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US4,102,094
Career titles: 5
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 1-1
Best Wimbledon result: second round 2021
Most thought it impossible but the teenage wunderkind is somehow starting to live up to the hype of being branded the next Nadal, powering into the top 10 after capturing successive titles in Madrid and Barcelona. The real deal.
MATTEO BERRETTINI (ITA)
Age: 26
Ranking: 11
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US9,920,046
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 10-3
Best Wimbledon result: finalist 2021
The big-serving Italian retained his Queen's Club crown in impressive fashion, dropping just one set all week and can't be dismissed from at least matching his run to last year's final.
HUBERT HURKACZ (POL)
Age: 25
Ranking: 10
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US7,306,253
Career titles: 5
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 7-3
Best Wimbledon result: semi-finalist 2021
The Pole proved his march to the last four last year was no fluke with a commanding charge to the title in Halle, where he reeled off successive wins over fellow 2021 semi-finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime, Kyrgios and Medvedev.
BEST OUTSIDERS
TAYLOR FRITZ (USA)
Age: 24
Ranking: 14
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US7,701,878
Career titles: 4
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 4-5
Best Wimbledon result: third round 2021
Showcased his grass-court credentials with a run to the Eastbourne final and enjoying a breakout year highlighted by his maiden Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells.
NICK KYRGIOS (AUS)
Age: 27
Ranking: 45
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US9,889,388
Career titles: 6
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 15-7
Best Wimbledon result: quarter-finalist 2014
Doubts persist over his mental and physical capability to last seven best-of-five-set matches, having yet to reach a grand slam semi-final. But no doubting his class and in supreme grass-court form. Winning Wimbledon wouldn't shock the tennis world.
