Here is our Wimbledon 2023 Men’s Preview, penned by Alex Mann. Will it be Djokovic again, Alcaraz, or someone else?
Wimbledon 2023 Men’s Preview
Will Djokovic win his third major of the year, his 24th overall, and his eighth title at Wimbledon, or can Alcaraz stop him in his tracks? These are the themes to consider in this Wimbledon 2023 Men’s Preview.
Contenders
Who are the key contenders for the 2023 Wimbledon title? Well, let’s start with the obvious…
Novak Djokovic
The defending champion, Novak Djokovic, is the overwhelming favourite to win his eighth title at SW19. To put into words how dominant the Serb has been on the grass courts, you just have to look at his record. His last loss at Wimbledon came in 2017 when he retired injured. The defending champion will begin his Wimbledon campaign against Pedro Cachin and could face the likes of Lorenzo Musetti, Andrey Rublev, and Jannik Sinner before a potential Roland Garros rematch against Carlos Alcaraz. If he wins again, he will tie Roger Federer’s record of having won eight Men’s singles Wimbledon titles.
Info about Djokovic’s racquet
Carlos Alcaraz
If anyone had any doubt about the young Spaniard’s ability to play on the grass, winning Queen’s on his debut surely put this doubt to bed. Alcaraz will be looking to improve on last year’s fourth-round exit to Jannik Sinner and become only the third Spanish man to win the Men’s singles title at Wimbledon after Manolo Santana and Rafael Nadal. If anyone has a chance at dethroning the mighty Serb, it most likely will be Alcaraz.
Info about Alcaraz racquet
Jannik Sinner
Sinner stands out as a potential challenger to this year’s Wimbledon title. The young Italian’s all-court game, in addition to possessing a powerful serve and exceptional movement make him a danger on this surface. Last year, Sinner reached the quarter-final stage and led Djokovic by two sets to love before the Serb fought back to win in five. More recently, he made the quarter-final of Halle before retiring due to injury against Alexander Bublik. He could set up a rematch against Djokovic in the semi-final if he’s fit. Compared to Djokovic’s odds to win the event at around 1.5 times your money, a bet on Sinner gives you 17, just to put it in perspective.
Daniil Medvedev
The world number 3 has had a roller-coaster of a season. In 2023, he won five ATP titles, including his first clay-court Masters title in Rome. Away from the tour, he hasn’t fared so well in the majors. Medvedev was knocked out of the Australian Open, losing to Seb Korda in the third round in straight sets. He then unexpectedly lost in the first round of Roland Garros to Thiago Seyboth Wild. His grass-court season hasn’t been much better, losing early in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Halle. Medvedev can play well on grass, having reached the fourth round in 2021.
Ones to watch
The ones to watch are exciting and dangerous players that are still not in the top of the favorites to the title.
Holger Rune
The young Dane’s limited grass-court experience hasn’t seemed to faze him. He reached the Queen’s semi-final last week and looks to have adapted well to the surface. With wins over Djokovic, Sinner, and Medvedev this year, he knows how to beat the very best. Although Rune hasn’t progressed beyond the first round at Wimbledon, I expect him to reach the second week on grass-court major for the first time.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Out of the three tournaments he has played this grass-court season, the Greek has only one match win to his name. Although he doesn’t have much form coming into Wimbledon, he has a grass-court title and is a multi-time major finalist. He narrowly lost out to Nick Kyrgios in last year’s third round. If he’s serving well and playing the attacking style of tennis we know he can produce. He can go far in this tournament.
Andrey Rublev
A seven-time major quarter-finalist, Rublev has arguably had the best season of his career. He reached the quarter-final of the Australian Open and lifted his first Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo, defeating Holger Rune. His grass-court form has been very good. He reached the Halle Open final, losing to Alexander Bublik in three sets. This should give him confidence that he can make a deep run at Wimbledon.
Alexander Zverev
Zverev has successfully returned to the tour this season after being sidelined for much of 2022 with torn ankle ligaments. Last month, he reached the Roland Garros semi-final and made the Halle semi-final, losing to Alexander Bublik. The German has multiple Masters 1000 events, has an Olympic Gold medal to his name, and has won the ATP Finals, but he is still searching for his first major title. Zverev has the game to do damage on the grass. Could this be his year?
Alexander Bublik
Two weeks ago, Alexander Bublik wouldn’t have made it into my contenders’ list. Then he went on to defeat Borna Coric, Jan-Lennard Struff, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev to win the biggest title of his career in Halle. With the win, Bublik is now at a career-high of 26 in the ATP singles rankings. His big serve and unpredictable game style make him a real danger at this year’s tournament. Can Bublik continue this impressive run?
Taylor Fritz
The American number 1 reached the quarter-final of Wimbledon last year and has two grass-court titles to his name. Fritz has been inconsistent in recent months but his game suits the grass so he could come alive this fortnight.
Hubert Hurkacz
Since reaching the semi-final of Wimbledon in 2021, the Pole has struggled to replicate his major form. Having said this, his game is built for grass, so if he can find some form. He will be a tough opponent.
Felix Auger Aliassime
The big-hitting Canadian has struggled for consistency this season and had to pull out of Halle due to injury. He has a previous grass-court pedigree, reaching the quarter-final of Wimbledon in 2021. If Felix is fit, he could make a run.
Sebastian Korda
The young American reached this year’s semi-final of Queen’s losing out to Carlos Alcaraz. Korda reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2021, losing out a nail-biting five-set match to Karen Khachanov. He plays well on the grass so will be one to look out for this fortnight.
Matteo Berrettini
Hailed as ‘The Hammer’ for his ferocious serve and forehand, the two-time Queen’s champion and 2021 Wimbledon finalist would normally be one of the favorites for the title. However, Berrettini has struggled with injury this season. Now unseeded, it’s hard to know what to expect from him in this tournament. He could still make a run if he can get some wins under his belt.
