Wimbledon 2015 starts on Monday and the Championship has three favorites- Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray- and a host of second tier potential Champions. The Tennis Review assesses their chances at the world’s most famous tennis event.
Novak Djokovic. Champion 2011, 2014. Runner up 2013.
Djokovic returns to SW19 to defend his title as very much the man to beat. The Serbian has lost just three times all season (Karlovic in Doha, Federer in Dubai, Wawrinka at Roland Garros) and is as dominant as he was in 2011, picking up a slam (Australian Open) and four ATP 1000 titles on his way to London.
The Serb will have no problems shrugging off his disappointment in Paris- he also lost there in 2011 and 2014, his Wimbledon winning years- and if anything, the loss to Wawrinka should motivate him even more to win his ninth Career Grand Slam.
Djokovic has not played any warm ups, his sole grass outing being an exhibition where he suffered a defeat to 18 year old Alexander Zverev, but with Becker in his camp and plenty of practice time in London, the lack of ATP grass tournaments won’t hurt him.
In his favor: He knows how to win at Wimbledon and he has a winning recent record over Federer and Murray in big matches.
Against: There are some questions about his mentality. He played a poor last three sets in Paris after looking strong in the first set last month in his loss to Wawrinka and has an 8-8 record in slam finals overall.
Likely outcome: Champion
Roger Federer. Champion 2003-2007, 2009, 2012. Runner up 2008, 2014.
Federer comes into Wimbledon as the Halle Champion for the eighth time and the world no.2. No one in the draw come anywhere close to his credentials at SW19 and he has to fancy his chances of an eighth title.
In his favor: Federer is playing aggressive tennis and grass rewards his great serve and skills at the net. He is also nearing the end of his career and will be up for a chance to add to his 17 Grand slam tally.
Against: Federer has under-performed at Slams since losing last year’s Wimbledon final, failing to reach his projected No.2 seeding (U.S Open SF, Australian Open r3, Roland Garros QF). He has also not managed to win any of his biggest finals since his return to form in 2014 and has failed to beat Djokovic in a final in that period.
Likely outcome: Runner up
Andy Murray. Champion 2013. Runner up 2012.
Murray is playing his best tennis since his slam winning run from US Open 2012 to Wimbledon 2013 and this year he has climbed back to world No.3, been runner up at the Australian Open and Miami, won his first clay court titles in Munich and Madrid and won Queen’s.
In his favor: Murray has the touch and soft hands to make the most of Grass’ lower bounce, and will have all the support he could possibly need. He also knows how to win in SW19 under immense pressure.
Against: The Scot has lost his last eight matches to Djokovic, his most likely opponent in the final. He also has a less than stellar serve which the Serbian will tee off on. Most worryingly, Murray has been guilty of retreating into his shell when thing get tight against the world no.1 and cannot afford to do that should they meet in the final.
Likely outcome: Semi-finalist
Second Tier Favorites:
Marin Cilic. Quarter-finalist 2014.
Cilic, the 2014 U.S Open champion, has the serve and powerful game to lift the Wimbledon trophy. The progress he made in going from an unfulfilled talent to a slam champ has been slowed by a shoulder injury and he has lacked match play this season, but if he can dial into his A game, he could very well be the one to threaten the top three.
Likely outcome : Quarter-finalist
Tomas Berdych. Runner up 2010.
Berdych has been having a great year and he has the game to do well at Wimbledon- witness his Wimbledon 2010 run in which he beat Roger Federer.
However, he has failed to bring that game to big matches this season, and would need to avoid meeting both Djokovic and Murray who have beaten him in big matches this season.
Likely Outcome: Semi-finalist
Stan Wawrinka. Quarter-finalist 2014.
The recent French Open champion has the game and confidence to win slams, but does he have it on grass? Wawrinka has never done much on the surface and has had his best results on slow hard courts and clay.
Still, he has the game to beat anyone, and if he and Magnus Norman can make the right adjustments to his game, notably his swing, then his serve, aggressive game and feel at the net could see him spring a surprise.
Likely outcome: Quarter-finalist.
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