Djokovic Seeking Seventh Wimby
Novak Djokovic goes into this year’s Wimbledon Championships as the top seed, despite slipping to World No. 3 in the ATP rankings. However, where the Serbian ranked was hardly going to matter.
In the eyes of oddsmakers, the six-time Wimbledon champion and holder of the last three titles (2018, 2019, and 2021), was the player to beat at the All England Club. He opened as the early betting online favorite when Wimbledon markets went to press initially and that outlook hasn’t changed.
Players are more than ready for #Wimbledon ⚡️
Are you readyyyyy?@Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/LTBCSf4tau
— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 26, 2022
Is there a player that can deny Djokovic another triumph at SW19? Join us as we examine the Wimbledon outrights and the men’s singles draw below.
2022 Wimbledon Men’s Outrights
- Novak Djokovic -125
- Matteo Berrettini +500
- Rafael Nadal +600
- Carlos Alcaraz +1100
- Hubert Hurkacz +1300
- Felix Auger-Aliassime +1500
- Stefanos Tsitsipas +2000
- Nick Kyrgios +2000
- Marin Cilic +2000
- Andy Murray +2200
- Denis Shapovalov +3000
- Jannik Sinner +4000
- Taylor Fritz +5000
- Cameron Norrie +5000
- Jenson Brooksby +5000
- John Isner +6000
- Casper Ruud +6000
- Reiley Opelka +6600
Djokovic and Alcaraz Drawn Together
As far as draws go, Djokovic has a pretty good one, especially in the early rounds. The first seeded threat Djokovic could face is fellow countryman Miomir Kecmanovic. Before that, he has a straightforward opener against Sonwoo Kwon and a second-round contrast against the winner of Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Kamil Majchrzak.
In the R16, the seeds that could emerge include No. 22 Nikoloz Basilashvili and No. 15 Reiler Opelka. Neither looms particularly daunting for the Serbian.
The potential quarterfinal showdown with Carlos Alcaraz (seeded fifth) looms ominously. The last time they met, the Spaniard beat the Serbian in an epic three-set marathon in Madrid. Alcaraz hasn’t played any grass-court tournaments in the lead-up to Wimbledon, so he’s not entirely a shoo-in to reach the quarters.
Other potential quarterfinalists from this section include former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, veteran Fabio Fognini and seeded threats such as No. 10 Jannik Sinner. A Murray vs Djokovic matchup would be a sentimental one, conjuring sepia-toned images of the Brit’s heyday.
Whereas Sinner is arguably the most interesting challenger of the lot. He’s an up-and-coming talent that has the tools to become one of the best in the game. However, he’s yet to clinch a signature victory in his career. Should he do it at Wimbledon, it would be quite a massive upset.
Ruud and Hurkacz in Wide-Open Second Quarter
If Wimbledon is to serve up a surprise, the second quarter might be the section to deliver it. Casper Ruud, seeded No. 3, isn’t much of a grass-court threat and that exposes him directly to the upset.
Hubert Hurkacz was the last player to beat Roger Federer at the All England Club. Hurkacz dismissed the King of Grass in the quarterfinals last year, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0. The No.1 Pole will be keen to build on last year’s semifinal run. In his preparations for Wimbledon, he won the Halle Open beating Daniil Medvedev in the final.
There’s a lot of expectation riding on the 25-year-old’s shoulders. It remains to be seen how he holds up in a tough opening match against dangerous floater Alejandro Davidovich-Fokina.
Elsewhere in this section are former Wimbledon semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov and British hopeful Cameron Norrie. As well, veteran Spaniards Fernando Verdasco, Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Pablo Andujar, to name a few.
Outsiders such as American Francis Tiafor (seeded 23rd) and countryman Tommy Paul (seeded 30th) must well fancy their chance to shake things up in this corner of the top half of the draw.
Berrettini, Tsitsipas on Collision Course
Of all the quarters, this is by far the toughest. It’s loaded with favorites, quality underdogs, sleepers, and dangerous floaters. It’s a veritable minefield.
The favorites are Matteo Berrettini and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who are on a collision course to meet in the quarterfinals if the draw falls in line with the seeding.
This mouth-watering prospect would pit two in-form players against each other – Berrettini, who sharpened his game with titles in Stuttgart and Queen’s Club, and Tsistipas, who picked up his first title on grass in Majorca.
Dangerous floaters such as unseeded Nick Kyrgios lurk in this section. On a good day, the Aussie can beat anyone on grass. Another dangerous floater is Briton Jack Draper. The 20-year-old was a semifinalist last week in Eastbourne.
Veteran grinder Diego Schwartzman, Canadian hopeful Denis Shapovalov, Aussie Alex De Minaur, and American Jenson Brooksby are some of the seeded threats in this section that could shake things up. Others include Roberto Bautista-Agut and Filip Krajinovic, the latter of which lost to Berrettini in the Queen’s Club final.
Nadal’s Quarter Littered With Lawn Experts
Rafael Nadal enters the Wimbledon Championships as the second seed. Thus, he falls into the second half of the draw and avoids his nemesis, Djokovic.
If the tournament falls in line with the seeding, a potential Djokovic vs Nadal in the final is on the horizon. That would be a throwback to the glory days of tennis when the Big Four (or Three, depending on perspective) ruled.
many months have passed and I’m still thinking about Rafa Nadal winning the Australian Open in 2022. Truly the greatest comeback ever!! #GOAT𓃵 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QrZvJmEiDe
— Bridie ♡ (@foolforfilm_) June 24, 2022
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Getting to the final won’t be easy for Nadal, great though he is. No one is infallible. His section is littered with lawn experts such as Marin Cilic, Taylor Fritz, Richard Gasquet, and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Any one of these players could give him a run for his money.
Arguably, Auger-Aliassime poses the toughest challenge. He was the last player to defeat Federer at his beloved Halle Open last year. He was also the only player to push Nadal to five sets at Roland Garros earlier this month.
Young guns such as Holger Rune, Emil Ruusuvuori, Lorenzo Sonego, and Lorenzo Musetti are potential disrupters that could make things interesting in the fourth quarter. As well, big-serving American Maxime Cressy is one to spot as he opens his tournament against Auger-Aliassime in the first round.
By all accounts, Nadal should win this quarter. However, recent history in Wimbledon suggests that it’s going to be a slugfest..
