The world’s best tennis players descend on SW19 hoping for success at Wimbledon.
Rafael Nadal is missing and Novak Djokovic is struggling to recover from knee surgery in time, but the host contenders remain.
Here are 10 players trying to follow in the footsteps of last year’s champions Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova…
Iga Swiatek: Master of clay, who has not conquered the grass
Swiatek has proven himself to be this generation’s clay court master, winning his fourth French Open title in the last five years. However, Grass remains a work in progress for the Poles, despite his success at the junior high level.
Poland’s Iga Swiatek won her fourth French Open title in the past five years in June – her fifth Grand Slam title.
Indeed, the 23-year-old has not tasted trophy success on grass at the WTA 250, 500 or 1000 level, in addition to the Grand Slams, among the 22 titles to date (12 wins on hard courts, 10 wins on clay).
Swiatek showed promising signs last year before losing in the quarterfinals to Elina Svitolina and would go on to win 19 matches.
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Highlights of Swiatek vs. Aryna Sabalenka from the Rome final
Carlos Alcaraz: The next tennis superstar?
Alcaraz showed rapid development on grass last summer, winning the Queen’s title and then his second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, defeating Djokovic in five setters.
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz heads to Wimbledon as French Open champion for the first time
The 21-year-old Spaniard added his first clay-court Slam title in Paris last month and is the perfect man for the big event.
Defeat by Britain’s Jack Draper at Queen’s last week was a blow but only a minor setback.
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Highlights from Alcaraz’s sensational victory over Jan-Lennard Struff at the Madrid Open
Coco Gauff: The up-and-comer on the women’s tour
Gauff has left her teenage years behind and returned to Wimbledon as a Grand Slam champion after lifting the US Open trophy last year.
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Highlights of the US Open final between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka at Flushing Meadows in New York
He followed that up with semi-final appearances at the Australian Open and in Paris, losing to the eventual champion each time.
The 20-year-old suffered a first-round defeat at Wimbledon last year, which will certainly be rectified.
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A look back at the 19-year-old Gauff’s first Grand Slam victory at the US Open
Jannik Dosa: Number 1 in 2024
Dosa has been the man in 2024 so far, winning his first Slam title at the Australian Open and overtaking Djokovic as world No. 1.
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World No. 1 Jannik Dosa defeated Hubert Hurkacz to win his first ATP Tour title on grass last week
The 22-year-old Italian has lost just three matches all season and began his grass-court campaign with his first title on the surface in Halle.
It will not be a surprise if the final is another clash between the two biggest young stars of the sport in Dosa and Alcaraz.
Aryna Sabalenka: Power player at her peak at Wimbledon
Is this Sabalenka’s year to go all out at the All England Club?
The big Belarusian has a game built for grass, but has yet to reach the final in his last two appearances.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus won the Australian Open Grand Slam title this year
The 26-year-old won his second Australian Open title in January without dropping a set, but has been plagued by shoulder problems.
Tommy Paul: American Athlete
Winning the Queen’s Club title on Sunday lifted the 27-year-old Paul past Taylor Fritz as the new American No. 1.
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Watch Tommy Paul hit his best tweener to help beat Sebastian Korda at the Libema Open
He has shown his ability at the Slams, reaching the semi-finals at last year’s Australian Open, when his solid groundstrokes and brilliant athleticism make him difficult to crack.
Mirra Andreeva: A promising youngster
Andreeva only turned 17 in April but she has racked up two Grand Slam fourth round and semi-final, after defeating Sabalenka in the last eight at Roland Garros.
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Mirra Andreeva talks about her rise to the top of the women’s game at the age of 17
The Russian, whose game has matured beyond her years, will be seeded at the Slam for the first time and will go further than last year’s run to the last 16.
Jack Draper: Brit in form
Paul beat Draper in the quarter-finals at Queen’s, ending the best week of his 22-year career.
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After winning his first ATP event in Stuttgart, Jack Draper continued his good form by defeating defending Queen’s Club champion Carlos Alcaraz and said there is no place he would rather be at the moment.
The young British star claimed his first ATP Tour title in style in Stuttgart before securing his biggest win over Alcaraz on home soil.
Encouragingly, he has stayed fit this year, and he will be seeded at the Slam for the first time.
Katie Boulter: England hopes next on the women’s side
Katie Boulter is a name that players will not see in this part of the round.
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British No. 1 Katie Boulter reveals the five guests she will invite to the dinner party. Listen to the full episode on the Sky Sports Tennis podcast
The British No 1 made a breakthrough on grass courts last summer, winning the WTA Tour 500 title in San Diego and then successfully defending the trophy in Nottingham earlier this month.
They will be seeded for the first time and hope their strong game can cause real damage.
Alexander Zverev: A contender for sure
The German has yet to get beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon but, having recovered from ankle surgery two years ago, he is alive and kicking.
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Best action from Alexander Zverev’s match with Nicolas Jarry in the Italian Open final
Zverev reached his second Grand Slam final in Paris last month, losing badly in five sets against Alcaraz. If he can find his feet on the grass, the 27-year-old could be a tough guy to stop.
What’s next for Sky Sports Tennis?
In front of the third Grand Slam in 2024 – Wimbledon – you can watch the biggest tennis stars in action live on Sky Sports.
- Mallorca Championship (ATP 250) – June 23-29
- Bad Homburg (WTA 500) – June 23-29
Watch the WTA and ATP Tour throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with Sports Month Membership NOW. No contract, cancel anytime.
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