HOW THE LEADING MEN SHAPE UP FOR WIMBLEDON STARTING ON MONDAY:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
Age: 32
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US131,701,850 ($A189.28 million)
Career titles: 74
Grand slam titles: 15 (Australian Open 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-16, 2019; French Open 2016; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018; US Open 2011, 2015, 2018)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 65-10
Best Wimbledon results: champion 2011, 2014, 2015; 2018; runner-up 2013
Already locked in as one of tennis’s all-time greats, the Serbian world No.1 will join Bjorn Borg with five Wimbledon crowns if he can defend his title.
RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)
Age: 33
Ranking: 2
Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US109,533,646 ($A157.42 million)
Career titles: 82
Grand slam titles: 18 (Australian Open 2009; French Open 2005-08, 2010-14, 2017-19; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; US Open 2010, 2013, 2017)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 48-11
Best Wimbledon results: champion 2008, 2010; runner-up 2006, 2007, 2011
The five-time finalist and two-time champion has his nose out of joint after being relegated to third in the seedings behind Federer. A 19th grand slam title to edge to within one of the great Swiss would be sufficient pay back.
ROGER FEDERER (SUI)
Age: 37
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US124,774,930 ($A179.33 million)
Career titles: 102
Grand slam titles: 20 (Australian Open 2004, 2006-07, 2010, 2017-18; French Open 2009; Wimbledon 2003-07, 2009, 2012, 2017; US Open 2004-2008)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 95-12
Best Wimbledon results: champion Wimbledon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017; runner-up 2014, 2015
The ageless marvel is bidding to become the oldest grand slam champion in history and it would be dangerous to back against the near-38-year-old after he warmed up with a 10th triumph in Halle.
DOMINIC THIEM (AUT)
Age: 25
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US18,140,486 ($A26.36 million)
Career titles: 13
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 5-5
Best Wimbledon result: fourth round 2017
Runner-up to Nadal in Paris the past two years, the Austrian has yet to make the transition from clay to grass and any run beyond the fourth round would be considered a success.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV (GER)
Age: 22
Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US17,273,296 ($A24.83 million)
Career titles: 11
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 8-4
Best Wimbledon result: fourth round 2017
German’s big white hope continues to disappoint at the majors, notching only two quarter-final appearances in 16 slams – and both coming on clay at Roland Garros.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (GRE)
Age: 20
Ranking: 6
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US5,883,282 ($A8.46 million)
Career titles: 3
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 3-2
Best Wimbledon result: fourth round 2018
The Greek sensation looks the real deal and certainly the most likely of the next-gen stars to break the big three’s domination of the slams.
BEST OUTSIDER
KEVIN ANDERSON (RSA)
Age: 33
Ranking: 8
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US16,140,150 ($A23.20 million)
Career titles: 6
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 18-10
Best Wimbledon result: runner-up 2018
Last year’s finalist has been elevated to fourth seed but has endured an injury-marred 2019 campaign and won just one match on grass this summer.
BEST AUSTRALIAN HOPES
ALEX DE MINAUR
Age: 20
Ranking: 26
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US1,989,106 ($A2.86 million)
Career titles: 1
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 2-1
Best Wimbledon result: third round 2018
Seeded at the All England Club for the first time after starting the year on fire with a maiden ATP title in Sydney, but struggling for the first time with injuries.
NICK KYRGIOS
Age: 24
Ranking: 39
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US7,289,850 ($A10.48 million)
Career titles: 5
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 12-5
Best Wimbledon result: quarter-finalist 2014
Anyone’s guess how the temperamental talent will fare. Unseeded at his favourite event for the first time since bursting onto the scene with a stunning win over Nadal on his Wimbledon debut five years ago.
