The 137th edition of the world’s oldest tennis competition Wimbledon is here, so our expert writers at The Tennis Gazette predict every key story for the 2024 tournament.
Grand Slam tennis descends on SW19 for what may be two very competitive championships this July. Carlos Alcaraz heads for south west London eager to defend last year’s Wimbledon title. Marketa Vondrousova will also look to defend her title after the Czech’s shock last year.
But Alcaraz and Vondrousova will not have it all their own way as Jannik Sinner strives to put on a show as the new ATP world No1. Coco Gauff is also hungry to get success on the grass courts at long last. The WTA world No2 has not yet featured past Wimbledon’s fourth round.
Sinner has been in fine form ahead of Wimbledon, too, with the Italian lifting the Australian Open title plus the recent Halle Open crown. But Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul will also be in contention at Wimbledon, where doubts remain about Novak Djokovic playing due to injury.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Wimbledon 2024 from how to watch to prize money
So, with that in mind, our expert writers at The Tennis Gazette predict the key talking points from the men’s and women’s champions at Wimbledon to the players likely to struggle. Our writers also predict the Americans and Brits most likely to fare well at Wimbledon in 2024…
Men’s Wimbledon 2024 champion
Callum Davies: “For the men’s draw, it is hard to look past Carlos Alcaraz as the outstanding favourite to retain his Wimbledon title.
“Jannik Sinner could cause him some trouble after winning his first title on grass, and so too could Novak Djokovic should he play. But the Spaniard just has that pedigree and is fresh off his first Roland Garros title, too.”
Lee Clarke: “Carlos Alcaraz was dumped out of Queen’s by Jack Draper but few on the tour can boast the stamina to go toe-to-toe with the Spaniard for five sets.”
Liam Llewellyn: “Though he has a tough path to glory, Alcaraz will successfully defend his Wimbledon title.”
Peter Lynch: “Carlos Alcaraz has a great chance of lifting the men’s title at Wimbledon.”
Women’s Wimbledon 2024 champion
Callum Davies: “The women’s draw at Wimbledon 2024 is far less predictable as, despite Iga Swiatek’s dominance over the WTA at the moment, she has never really thrived on grass.
“I am therefore going for Aryna Sabalenka to take the title this time around, her first at Wimbledon. Her big-serving and powerful-hitting philosophy are sure to translate well to this surface.”
Lee Clarke: “Aryna Sabalenka is my pick to win Wimbledon. The Belarussian has the perfect game for grass and surely, it’s only a matter of time before she wins the crown in SW19.”
Liam Llewellyn: “Aryna Sabalenka, who has the ideal game for grass, will triumph in SW19 for the first time this summer.”
Peter Lynch: “I suspect Iga Swiatek is set to clinch her first women’s title at Wimbledon.”
How far will Novak Djokovic go at Wimbledon 2024?
Callum Davies: “Should Novak Djokovic play, it is hard not to expect a deep run for the Serbian superstar.
“Seeking to make history and win his eighth title, equaling Roger Federer’s tally as the most titles in the tournament’s history, the fact that he would be the second seed could prove pivotal in a deep run.
“I would expect Djokovic to reach at least the semi-finals, but I think another Wimbledon final awaits the 37-year-old this summer.”
Lee Clarke: “This is going to depend on A) the draw and B) whether he’s fit enough to play.
“If he does play. he will begin the tournament as the number two seed and that likely means a semi-final with Carlos Alcaraz. As I’ve backed Alcaraz to win, I think that’s where his bid for title number eight will end.”
Liam Llewellyn: “Djokovic has proven his ability to overcome adversity and if he is fit to play at Wimbledon, he will fight his way to the semi-finals, before suffering a defeat to Alcaraz or Sinner.”
Peter Lynch: “If fit, Novak Djokovic could exit Wimbledon after around round three or four given his injury struggles, particularly if handed a tough draw.”
Who will be the top American player at Wimbledon 2024?
Callum Davies: “There are a few Americans who have showcased their proficiency on grass of late. But fresh from his Queen’s title, his first on this surface, I think Tommy Paul has the best chance of going deep.
“After all, this year has been a rock-solid one from the 27-year-old, and he is proving to be a really well-rounded player capable of making a run on any surface. I think this is the year where he finally enjoys a fine run at a Grand Slam.”
Lee Clarke: “This is a tough one but, in the men’s draw, I will go for Tommy Paul. He was impressive at Queen’s and stayed calm even when things went against him. I think he’s got the game to win a Grand Slam at some point in his career.
“As for the women’s draw, surely Coco Gauff is going to turn up at Wimbledon sooner or later. Surely… I will go for the world number two this year.”
Liam Llewellyn: “Fritz and Gauff are primed for the strongest runs by American players.”
Peter Lynch: “There is a long list of talented Americans participating in the competition, but women’s star Coco Gauff could go the furthest of the lot in London.
“She suffered a hugely disappointing first-round exit last time out and will be eager to put that right this time around with a lengthy stay in London.
“A first Grand Slam at the US Open did, however, immediately follow that disappointment, along with semi-final runs in Australia and France this year. Gauff is in superb form on all surfaces, having clearly been working hard on improving her game behind the scenes.”
Brits to go the furthest at Wimbledon 2024
Callum Davies: “Great Britain is not quite as blessed with a wealth of tennis talent at the moment, but there are a few outstanding names.
“However, Jack Draper simply cannot be overlooked, given just how well his game translates to the grass.
“A first ATP tour-level title, on this surface no less, should give him the necessary belief to go the furthest out of his compatriots.”
Lee Clarke: “I was tempted to say Jack Draper but I’m going to go for Katie Boulter. She’s enjoying a solid grass-court season, and this could be the year she goes deep at Wimbledon.”
Liam Llewellyn: “Jack Draper will continue his momentum from Queen’s to make a run to the second week at the All England Club. Following her Nottingham and Eastbourne campaigns, Emma Raducanu will lead the way for the British women at Wimbledon this year.”
Peter Lynch: “For the British interest in Wimbledon in 2024, all hopes seemingly rest on Jack Draper, who looks certain to go furthest among the Brits.
“His current form on the grass speaks for itself. But the youngster’s confidence could also take him a long way after winning his first ATP Tour title in Stuttgart, coupled with moving to number one in the British rankings.
“There is always pressure on the home players, but Draper has proven he can deal with it, despite being just 22.”
Which players will have a breakout Wimbledon in 2024?
Callum Davies: “Whilst there will likely be plenty of breakout stars at Wimbledon, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is one that has everything needed to enjoy a fine run at the event.
“Tall, powerful and capable of some truly petrifying serves, his recent run at Queen’s, where he dispatched Ben Shelton and Zizou Bergs on his way to the round of 16, showcased why the 20-year-old is a man to be feared.
“This could be the tournament where the Frenchman truly gives his ranking a much-needed boost.”
Lee Clarke: “Seb Korda reached the semi-finals at Queen’s and has been to the fourth round at Wimbledon before. This could be his year to go even further. Jack Draper may cause a shock but going deep could be tough for him.”
Liam Llewellyn: “After a run to the Berlin final and strong runs in Stuttgart and Queen’s, Anna Kalinskaya and Lorenzo Musetti could have a breakout run in SW19 this summer.”
Peter Lynch: “Lorenzo Musetti could be the breakout player at Wimbledon, with the Italian youngster having just lost the Queen’s final to Tommy Paul after a superb run on the grass.”
Storyline to watch at Wimbledon 2024
Callum Davies: “One storyline to watch at Wimbledon this year will be Emma Raducanu, who will finally get the chance to strut her stuff on home soil after years of injury turmoil.
“Having missed last year’s tournament, as she suffered surgeries on both wrists and her ankle, the Great British tennis star shot to fame when she won the US Open in 2021.
“Now, in front of a home crowd, her fast-paced game could help her enjoy a solid showing and soar up the rankings.”
Lee Clarke: “It has to be the situation with Djokovic. At 37, he’s going to be going well to eclipse Federer and win two more titles to make him the most successful of all time with nine.
“With that in mind, he will want to play this year. But it will be fascinating to see if a 75% fit Djokovic can pull through and nick another title.”
Liam Llewellyn: “Djokovic’s Wimbledon run after his knee injury and quest to win a record 25th Grand Slam will be a key storyline to watch in 2024.”
Peter Lynch: “The storyline to watch is undoubtedly how far Djokovic can go if indeed the Serbian passes a fitness test after undergoing knee surgery.”
Players who may struggle at Wimbledon 2024
Callum Davies: “For those who might struggle at Wimbledon, Stefanos Tsitsipas is one who never really gets himself going at this event, despite his obvious talents.
“A two-time Grand Slam finalist, he has never gotten past the fourth round in SW19 and only boasts a 60% win record on grass – by far his worst surface.
“So, despite sitting 11th in the ATP rankings with a previous career-high of third, the Greek star is unlikely to thrive in the coming weeks.”
Lee Clarke: “I can’t say I’ve been overly enamored by Cameron Norrie this year and I just don’t think he’s in good shape for Wimbledon this year. As much as I like watching Tsitsipas as a player, I think he could struggle again this year, too.
“As for the women’s side, Maria Sakkari looks certain to struggle at Wimbledon. She has never been past the third round at the tournament and Sakkari was in the firing line for a rant at an umpire at the Bad Homburg Open.”
Liam Llewellyn: “Despite her strong year, Danielle Collins may suffer an early exit following a lack of tennis after an early loss at Roland Garros. Defending champion Marketa Vondrousova will also find it tough to defend her Wimbledon title.
“On the men’s side, given their struggles at Wimbledon in the past, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev will be in for another tricky campaign at the grass-court major.”
Peter Lynch: “Coping with the pressure of Wimbledon and the switch to grass is not easy, particularly for young players, with 21-year-old Ben Shelton potentially among those who will struggle.”
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