Jannik Sinner arrives at Wimbledon as the clear favourite to retain the men's singles title, following the withdrawal of world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz due to a wrist injury. A year ago, Sinner defeated Alcaraz in a four-set Grand Slam final. Now, he has a prime opportunity to secure a second consecutive Wimbledon crown and his fifth major title. However, his shock second-round exit at the French Open last month serves as a stark reminder that no outcome is guaranteed at this level.
Novak Djokovic: The Veteran Contender
If Novak Djokovic is to claim a record 25th Grand Slam, Wimbledon's grass courts offer his best chance. The 39-year-old Serbian has reached at least the semi-finals at SW19 in all but two appearances since 2008, winning the title seven times. Djokovic lost to Sinner in last year's semi-finals but defeated the Italian in a five-set epic at the Australian Open in January, boosting his confidence. However, he has not won a major in three years and has played only 12 matches in 2025. While no one in the draw is more confident on grass, doubts persist about whether Djokovic can sustain his form over the fortnight.
Alexander Zverev: Grand Slam Champion at Last
Alexander Zverev finally broke his Grand Slam duck by winning the French Open, overcoming three painful final defeats. That breakthrough could relieve the pressure and elevate his game. Yet, significant obstacles remain. Zverev has lost nine consecutive matches to Sinner, including six straight-set defeats. Moreover, he has never advanced beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon in nine appearances and exited in the first round as the third seed last year. His discomfort on grass is a clear liability.
Taylor Fritz: American Grass-Court Specialist
World No. 7 Taylor Fritz's big serve is well-suited to grass, and he has a strong record on the surface, winning the Eastbourne title four times. In the build-up to Wimbledon, he reached finals in Stuttgart and Halle. Fritz has made at least the quarter-finals in three of the last four years at SW19, including a semi-final appearance last year, where he lost to Alcaraz. Fitness is a concern: he battled knee tendonitis earlier in the season and withdrew from Eastbourne to prioritise Wimbledon. A fully fit Fritz is a major threat.
Ben Shelton: Rising American Star
Fourth seed Ben Shelton defeated Fritz to win the Stuttgart Open, his first grass-court title and third trophy of the year. The 23-year-old moves well on grass and reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals last year. However, he faces a psychological hurdle against Sinner, who has won nine straight matches against him, including knocking him out of Wimbledon in the last two years and beating him at the Australian Open this year. Despite his confidence, Shelton must overcome that mental block.
Daniil Medvedev: The Unpredictable Threat
Daniil Medvedev can be a nightmare opponent when his game clicks, but he is also prone to early exits. The Russian reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2023 and 2024, losing to Alcaraz both times. In the build-up to this year's tournament, he has reached a quarter-final and a semi-final on grass without being at his best. Medvedev has lost to Sinner often but showed signs of improvement, taking him to a deciding set at the Italian Open and losing in two tight tie-breaks at Indian Wells. As the eighth seed, his unpredictability makes him dangerous.
