Tennis - Wimbledon begins: chance for Zverev, mystery surrounding Djokovic
Three weeks after the final drama of the French Open with the losing Alexander Zverev, Wimbledon is up next. The grass classic is renowned as the most famous and prestigious tennis tournament in the world. Here's a preview before the opening round:
When is it played?
Unlike the first two Grand Slam tournaments of the season in Melbourne and Paris, Wimbledon does not start on a Sunday. The first round matches begin on a Monday. Matches that went into the night in Paris, causing renewed discussions, are not allowed. Matches must end in the neighborhood no later than 11:00 pm local time.
The middle Sunday, which was a long tradition in Wimbledon, has been abolished. The trophies in the singles will then be presented at the conclusion of the event - on July 13 for the women and July 14 for the men.
What role does Zverev play?
He reached the final in Paris, but on clay. The Hamburg native starts as the world number four and with the momentum of the French Open, but the top favorites are others. The likelihood of Zverev ending the long wait for a German title in the men's singles is anything but likely. He was most likely out in the round of 16. Zverev is confident this time: "This is the first time I really think I'm a candidate to win the title here," said the best German tennis player.
He plays first against the Spanish world number 65 Roberto Carballés Baena. In the semifinals, he could face record Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
And the Germans?
The focus among the German women is on Angelique Kerber. The Wimbledon champion of 2018 disappointed in the warm-up in Bad Homburg and faces a tough challenge against the unpleasant Kasakh Julia Putinzewa right from the start. She will still try to make it better than at the first two Grand Slam appearances after her maternity leave. Both times she lost in the first round.
Jan-Lennard Struff, who often plays aggressively offensively, can be a dangerous opponent for favored opponents among the Germans. In total, twelve Germans are in the main draw: six women, six men. Hanfmann had bad luck, who plays against the world number one Jannik Sinner in the first round.
Who are the top favorites?
A lot depends on Djokovic's fitness. If his knee is ready for matches beyond three wins, the record Grand Slam champion must be counted in. At the French Open, he suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee and withdrew from the quarterfinals. He underwent surgery and returned quickly to training. He is "pain-free," he said in London. The knee has reacted very well to intensive training. And he had no setbacks during rehabilitation.
Title contenders are also the Spanish title defender Carlos Alcaraz and the Italian Australian Open winner Sinner. The Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal is sparing his body for a planned last start at the Olympic Games on clay in Paris. He believes that this Wimbledon edition might be as open as any in the last 20 years in terms of potential winners, said Zverev.
Among the women, the Polish world number one Iga Swiatek is not the clear favorite. Wimbledon has not been kind to her so far. With the recently struggling Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and the American Coco Gauff, as well as Wimbledon champion of 2022 Jelena Rybakina from Kazakhstan, and title defender Marketa Vondrousova from the Czech Republic, there are several contenders.
What is the prize money?
As high as ever. The organizers have doled out more than 59 million Euros converted, which is quite a boost from the previous year. Winners in the singles receive roughly 3.2 million Euros each. First-round losers in the singles receive around 71,000 Euros.
Where can I watch the matches?
For the first time, the tournament will be shown on Prime, Amazon's pay-per-view Internet TV. Amazon thus replaces the pay-TV broadcaster Sky. The contract runs until 2027.
- Wimbledon, the renowned grass tennis tournament, does not commence on a Sunday like the first two Grand Slam tournaments in Melbourne and Paris.
- Alexander Zverev, the world number four and recent French Open finalist, has a confident outlook for Wimbledon, despite his likely elimination in the round of 16.
- The Spanish world number 65 Roberto Carballés Baena is Zverev's first-round opponent at Wimbledon.
- Novak Djokovic, the record Grand Slam champion, could face Zverev in the semifinals if both progress in the tournament.
- Among the German women, Angelique Kerber, the 2018 Wimbledon champion, is one of the key players, facing a tough challenge against Julia Putinzewa in the opening round.
- The British Grand Slam tournament is making headlines this year with its record-breaking prize money of over 59 million Euros.
- The recently struggling Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and the American Coco Gauff are among the potential women's title contenders at Wimbledon.
- Wimbledon 2023 is anticipated to be as open as any in the past 20 years in terms of potential winners, according to top player Alexander Zverev.
- The record-breaking prize money at Wimbledon means that winners in the singles receive roughly 3.2 million Euros, while first-round losers receive around 71,000 Euros.
