2024 Wimbledon Men's Tournament Preview: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic lead protagonists in SW19 showdown
ATPSunday, 30 June 2024 at 20:33
The draw has been released for the men's tournament at 2024 Wimbledon and our preview runs through the main protagonists ahead of the action beginning on Monday July 1 running through until July 14.
Carlos Alcaraz is defending champion after defeating Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in a thrilling final last year. Both will be back but as ever with the men's draw, there are more questions than answers.
Alcaraz's form clouded after Ibiza trip as Djokovic battles injury
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are likely the two players to watch in terms of actual concrete form going into the 2024 Wimbledon. The former has recently won Roland Garros and was only defeated by a very good Jack Draper at Queen's recently. Albeit he had a holiday in Ibiza.
Rightfully he partied away with friends during that week but this meant that unlike last year, his preparation wasn't solely grass focused. But sometimes that can really help. Not having exact focus on tennis for a bit and recharging your batteries can either blow you hot or cold. But given that he lost to a very good Jack Draper, he can be forgiven for such a defeat.
Carlos Alcaraz's form is a slight mystery given his lack of games at Queen's and his holiday in Ibiza.
Also he took to grass like a duck to water last year after doubts on whether he would adapt to the surface. He won Queen's and then Wimbledon back-to-back dethroning a champion who had been imperious since 2017. Djokovic had chances to win that final too before he was defeated by Alcaraz.
So Alcaraz will likely go in as favourite. But perhaps it should be Sinner as the man to watch. He won Halle earlier in the grass court season so he has form and in reality has looked a new man compared to last year when he initially found his way into the spotlight. After his Beijing puke incident, he looked a new man and won a Grand Slam and become World No.1. A world away from a year ago when he ended up meekly losing to Novak Djokovic. Now he has his number and has looked superb against him in all facets.
So in terms of actual pre Wimbledon results, Sinner has the measure of the field but has a pretty tough draw. He begins against Yannick Hanfmann then will face maybe Matteo Berrettini, Tallon Griekspoor, Ben Shelton before likely Daniil Medvedev or Grigor Dimitrov in the Quarter-Finals. A final with Novak Djokovic or Alexander Zverev is the likely route through. But given that there are doubts about both of those players, it may be a completely different name.
Zverev hasn't gone past the fourth round ever at Wimbledon and is known not to be a fan of grass. While Djokovic despite beating Daniil Medvedev yesterday at Hurlingham is of course recovering from a meniscus tear. He is wearing a knee brace and while it looks like he has made a miraculous recovery won't be 100% in any route. But at least in the case of Djokovic, there is always the possibility that he can produce the magic on a surface that he has had his best success on. Never count out Nole and it wouldn't be a shock if he hoisted an eighth title despite his injury issues as of late. But it also adds to the mystery at SW19.
Novak Djokovic suffered a meniscus tear at Roland Garros but miraculously play just weeks later.
Murray set for farewell...or is he?
Other leading protagonists will include Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune, Alex de Minaur, Casper Ruud despite his hatred of grass among others.
As well as the rise of British sensation, Jack Draper who is now their number one. But also this year could see the end of a great career for Andy Murray as the pressure likely leaves the shoulders of his compatriot for a bit.
Or the tournament could be denied both their big farewells with Rafael Nadal initially pencilled in to play. But due to the proximity of the Olympic Games on his schedule, he has decided against it. A tournament that he would often skip on his route through, it is no real shock and has often been the surface he is most vulnerable on.
While Andy Murray on the otherhand has won it twice and has excelled on it. He is also a home hero and one that fans pin their hopes on year after year. Five years on from Resurfacing, his career has been prolonged for longer than many expected it to. Likely even Murray. The time is nigh to bow out but whether he plays or not is a different matter. He suffered a spinal cyst and had a back procedure after retiring at Queen's.
He is leaving it very much to the last minute to decide if he plays. But the signs aren't looking good. He will likely only play men's doubles and become the latest to bow out realistically without the farewell he deserves. After looking likely to get it after returning from his ankle ligament horror injury, another setback has seen the Murray train go clean off the tracks. But no matter what, he will likely get some sort of send off even if that's a statue or ceremony next year. He has deserved it for what he has given the country and also the tournament. But it is also another facet of this tournament that it could likely be the end and if it is, he will get the farewell he deserves.
Here is a list of Wimbledon Men's Singles Winners along with the finals results:
Open Era (1968 - Present)
- 2023: Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) defeated Novak Djokovic (SRB) 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
- 2022: Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3)
- 2021: Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3
- 2020: No competition (COVID-19 pandemic)
- 2019: Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Roger Federer (SUI) 7-6(5), 1-6, 7-6(4), 4-6, 13-12(3)
- 2018: Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Kevin Anderson (RSA) 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3)
- 2017: Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Marin Čilić (CRO) 6-3, 6-1, 6-4
- 2016: Andy Murray (GBR) defeated Milos Raonic (CAN) 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2)
- 2015: Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Roger Federer (SUI) 7-6(1), 6-7(10), 6-4, 6-3
- 2014: Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Roger Federer (SUI) 6-7(7-9), 6-4, 7-6(7-4), 5-7, 6-4
- 2013: Andy Murray (GBR) defeated Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6-4, 7-5, 6-4
- 2012: Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Andy Murray (GBR) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4
- 2011: Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3
- 2010: Rafael Nadal (ESP) defeated Tomáš Berdych (CZE) 6-3, 7-5, 6-4
- 2009: Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Andy Roddick (USA) 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 16-14
- 2008: Rafael Nadal (ESP) defeated Roger Federer (SUI) 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7
- 2007: Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7-6(7-2), 4-6, 7-6(7-3), 2-6, 6-2
- 2006: Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-0, 7-6(5), 6-7(2), 6-3
- 2005: Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Andy Roddick (USA) 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-4
- 2004: Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Andy Roddick (USA) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-4
- 2003: Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Mark Philippoussis (AUS) 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-6(3)
- 2002: Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) defeated David Nalbandian (ARG) 6-1, 6-3, 6-2
- 2001: Goran Ivanišević (CRO) defeated Pat Rafter (AUS) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7
- 2000: Pete Sampras (USA) defeated Pat Rafter (AUS) 6-7(10), 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-2
Pre-Open Era (1877 - 1967)
- 1967: John Newcombe (AUS) defeated Wilhelm Bungert (FRG) 6-3, 6-1, 6-1
- 1966: Manuel Santana (ESP) defeated Dennis Ralston (USA) 6-4, 11-9, 6-4
- 1965: Roy Emerson (AUS) defeated Fred Stolle (AUS) 6-2, 6-4, 6-4
- 1964: Roy Emerson (AUS) defeated Fred Stolle (AUS) 6-4, 6-1, 6-4
- 1963: Chuck McKinley (USA) defeated Fred Stolle (AUS) 9-7, 6-1, 6-4
- 1962: Rod Laver (AUS) defeated Martin Mulligan (AUS) 6-2, 6-2, 6-1
- 1961: Rod Laver (AUS) defeated Chuck McKinley (USA) 6-3, 6-1, 6-4
- 1960: Neale Fraser (AUS) defeated Rod Laver (AUS) 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
- 1959: Alex Olmedo (PER) defeated Rod Laver (AUS) 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
- 1958: Ashley Cooper (AUS) defeated Neale Fraser (AUS) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 13-11
- 1957: Lew Hoad (AUS) defeated Ashley Cooper (AUS) 6-2, 6-1, 6-2
- 1956: Lew Hoad (AUS) defeated Ken Rosewall (AUS) 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
- 1955: Tony Trabert (USA) defeated Kurt Nielsen (DEN) 6-3, 7-5, 6-1
- 1954: Jaroslav Drobný (EGY) defeated Ken Rosewall (AUS) 13-11, 4-6, 6-2, 9-7
- 1953: Vic Seixas (USA) defeated Kurt Nielsen (DEN) 9-7, 6-3, 6-4
- 1952: Frank Sedgman (AUS) defeated Jaroslav Drobný (EGY) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2
- 1951: Dick Savitt (USA) defeated Ken McGregor (AUS) 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
- 1950: Budge Patty (USA) defeated Frank Sedgman (AUS) 6-1, 8-10, 6-2, 6-3
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