Newsletter | Sinner and Alcaraz to lead Wimbledon 2024 Field

Wimbledon 2024 will probably take place without any member of the Big Three

By Stephen Higgins | 18th June 2024

Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon 2022
Where will Jannik Sinner lead the men's game? | Crosscourt View

We’re less than two weeks out from Wimbledon 2024 and the event will look very different from previous years on the men’s side. For the first time since 2000, we are highly unlikely to see any of the ‘Big Three’ at SW19.

Last week, Rafael Nadal confirmed that he will skip the event to focus solely on Olympic preparation. The 38-year-old feels that “the best for [his] body is not to change surface and keep playing on clay until then.”

As for the seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, he’s recovering from knee surgery after an injury suffered at Roland Garros and probably won’t be ready for the Championships. The 37-year-old hopes “to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible.”

For both men, the deadline they have in mind is July 27th, the date when the Olympic tennis tournament begins in Paris. As for Roger Federer, he has of course departed the sport as a playing fixture but still retains an enormous presence.

Lately, the 20-time major winner has made headlines for a commencement speech at Dartmouth University and the upcoming documentary on the final 12 days of his career. ‘Federer: Twelve Final Days’ will be out this week on Prime Video and I hope to post a review on the site.

With the three longstanding pillars of the men’s game absent, it will be up to Jannik Sinner, the new world no.1 and Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz to carry the sport at Wimbledon and probably beyond.

The Italian has already enjoyed a stellar 2024 thus far with a first major title in Melbourne, a semi-final run in Paris, titles in Rotterdam and Miami and a match record of 33-3. Having reached the last four at Wimbledon 12 months ago, the 22-year-old looks primed to at least repeat that showing this summer.

As for the defending champion Alcaraz, he will attempt to match a feat only accomplished by the Big Three, Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg in the Open Era - win Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back. While it’s a big ask, nothing has phased the 21-year-old to this point.

Sinner and Alcaraz look the most likely winners but we should expect a good showing from Daniil Medvedev, Hubert Hurkacz and maybe even Alexander Zverev, who has previously struggled at the All England Club. Beyond those, I’m really intrigued to see how Alex de Minaur fares.

The Australian - who loves the grass - has been superb in 2024 with two titles and victories over Djokovic, Nadal, Medvedev, Zverev, Tsitsipas, Ruud and Rublev. Can he create a ruckus in this year’s draw?

Finally, I hope to have an interesting interview or two on the site in the coming weeks!

'S-HERTOGENBOSCH | ATP 250 / WTA 250

After reaching the quarter-finals of Roland Garros, Alex de Minaur continued his sterling form in 2024 on the Dutch grass.

The Australian beat Sebastian Korda 6-2 6-4 in the final here to secure his second title of the year after Acapulco. De Minaur is now up to a new career high of no.7, and will surely have designs on reaching the last eight at Wimbledon for the first time.

In the women’s final, Liudmila Samsonova used her formidable power to outlast Bianca Andreescu 4-6 6-3 7-5 and earn her fifth career title. The Russian stays at no.15 in the rankings.

STUTTGART | ATP 250

Jack Draper brushed his previous injury woes aside to claim a first ATP title with a comeback 3-6 7-6(5) 6-4 victory over Matteo Berrettini in the final.

The talented 22-year-old, who missed six months of the 2023 season with shoulder issues, enjoyed a great week as he recorded wins over Sebastian Ofner, Frances Tiafoe and Brandon Nakashima en route to the final.

Draper now moves up to a career high ranking of no.31 and will look ahead to Wimbledon with some confidence.

NOTTINGHAM | WTA 250

The British grass success continued in Nottingham as Katie Boulter also came back from two sets down to defeat Karolina Pliskova.

The 27-year-old got the better of her compatriot Emma Raducanu in the last four before toppling the Czech 4-6 6-3 6-2 to defend her title. It’s the third career title for Boulter and she stays just outside the WTA’s top 30.