Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Wimbledon is a special time of the year for the tennis world. Strawberries, cream and all that. But from Monday morning 128 men will battle it out for the richest prize in the game. Will it be one of these eight men lifting the trophy on July 12?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Seed – 1
Best Wimbledon – Winner (2011, 2014)
Djokovic enters another Grand Slam as the overwhelming favourite. The French Open still eludes him but he will be favoured once more on grass. Last year’s epic five-setter over Roger Federer in the final was an absolute classic, and tennis lovers will be hoping that the Serb is pushed to his limits once more.
ROGER FEDERER
Seed – 2
Best Wimbledon – Winner (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012)
There isn’t a sports fan with a soul who doesn’t want Federer to win another Grand Slam, and he is back on his favourite surface for another crack. The seven time champion has only won one Wimbledon in his last five attempts, and a likely semi-final against Andy Murray will be a massive test of his credentials this time around.
ANDY MURRAY
Seed – 3
Best Wimbledon – Winner (2013)
Murray has an extremely tough route to the final with a potential last 16 clash with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a quarter-final against Rafael Nadal and a semi-final against Federer on the cards. But the Brit is in fine form and has just won Queens. He will command much of the attention on centre court, and has the constant advantage of playing in front of a home crowd.
STAN WAWRINKA
Seed – 4
Best Wimbledon – QF (2014)
Stan’s performance at last year’s Wimbledon was the first time since 2009 that he had progressed past the second round. It hasn’t been his best Slam, but the Swiss comes off an inspiring victory at the French Open and that alone will throw him into the limelight. His backhand is simply lethal, and he seems to possess something on the court that elevates him to the next level.
KEI NISHIKORI
Seed – 5
Best Wimbledon – R4 (2014)
Will this be the year that Nishikori makes his big breakthrough? It is still expected to happen, but there is so much quality above him that it is hard to see it happening right now. He has been knocked out in the quarter-finals of both Slams so far this year so will go into next week knowing that he is getting closer.
TOMAS BERDYCH
Seed – 6
Best Wimbledon – Runner-up (2010)
One of those players who has been so close to the top of the men’s game for so long but just hasn’t been good enough to land a major win. He came close in 2010, losing out to Nadal in the Wimbledon final. Berdych has lost one final, four semi-finals and seven quarter-finals in Grand Slams and looks a good bet to go deep once more.
RAFAEL NADAL
Seed - 10
Best Wimbledon – Winner (2008, 2010)
Will the 13-time Grand Slam champ be able to compete? It is hard to see him doing it on grass just a month after he couldn’t do it on clay. But, as is the case with all of the best, you can never write Nadal off. He will look to find some form in the build-up to his quarter-final – a possible showdown with Murray on centre court.
KEVIN ANDERSON
Seed – 14
Best Wimbledon – R4 (2014)
Anderson can’t seem to get past the fourth round of a Grand Slam, having stumbled at that hurdle six times. But he goes into Wimbledon 2015 ranked higher than ever before (14th) and having made the final at Queens when he lost out to Murray. His serve is his strength, while he lacks the mobility to challenge the best. Hopefully a bit of luck falls for him this year and he gives SA a reason to celebrate.
