In the absence of Alexander Zverev, former Davis Cup captain Patrik Kühnen sees world number three Novak Djokovic as the top title contender in the grass-court classic at Wimbledon.
“Medvedev is not allowed to play, Zverev is unfortunately absent due to injury – that’s why Djokovic, with his experience, is already the big favourite for the title,” Kühnen told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur before the start of the tournament about the defending champion.
Surprise by Andy Murray?
In addition to six-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic, French Open winner Rafael Nadal and last year’s finalist Matteo Berrettini, the Sky pundit also has Scottish veteran Andy Murray on his mind. “He has his focus very much on the grass-court season and with the fans behind him he is certainly good for a surprise,” Kühnen said of the 35-year-old 2013 and 2016 winner.
Following his serious foot injury and surgery, world number two Zverev will miss the third Grand Slam tournament of the year (27 June – 10 July) through injury. Due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian professionals because of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the currently top-ranked Medvedev is also absent.
Clear favourite for Iga Swiatek
In Kühnen’s view, there is no way around world number one Iga Swiatek in the women’s singles, even if the Pole is not a typical grass court player. “You can build a little bridge to Nadal – he also used to have his best game on clay and still won Wimbledon,” said the 56-year-old. Swiatek is unbeaten in 35 matches and had most recently won the French Open.
Angelique Kerber, the 2018 winner, also believes Kühnen will have a strong tournament on her favourite surface. “She has an interesting role: Even though she is a multiple Grand Slam winner, she is not so much in the focus of the favourites – maybe it is good for her that she can play freely,” he said.
