The entry lists for the Wimbledon main draw are rapidly taking shape after the confirmation of the initial tournament wildcards.
Most notably, Serena Williams has received a Wimbledon doubles wildcard, where she will play alongside her sister Venus Williams.
Elsewhere, ATP duo Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Bublik have also received a doubles wildcard, but there is now a very awkward situation involving the Australian at Wimbledon.
Six of the eight men’s singles wildcards have been confirmed, leaving just two spots remaining, for which there is certain to be fierce competition.
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Wimbledon in awkward situation after initial wildcards announced
Having reached the final in 2022, Kyrgios will very likely be desperate for a Wimbledon wildcard, but he has yet to receive one.
And importantly, he certainly isn’t the only high-profile ATP player who will be looking to snap up a prestigious place at SW19.
Matteo Berrettini, who reached the final at the All England Club in 2021, is in the same position this summer.
Wimbledon may need to make a choice between the pair, who incidentally both lost their finals in London to Novak Djokovic.
But also seemingly in contention for a highly coveted wildcard is Gael Monfils, who is currently playing his last season on the ATP Tour before retiring from tennis.
And finally, one player who simply cannot be ignored in the discussion is Dan Evans, who is retiring from the sport after Wimbledon.
Evans was hugely disappointed not to have received a wildcard for Queen’s, but he’ll feel even more aggrieved if Wimbledon take the same approach.
Grigor Dimitrov and Stan Wawrinka handed deserved Wimbledon wildcards
While there is a fierce battle for the two remaining wildcards, six players can rest easy in the knowledge that they will play at the tournament.
And that includes ATP icons Grigor Dimitrov and Stan Wawrinka, who are the anomalies in a list dominated by English players.
The London Grand Slam has understandably favored home players, but has also made the superb decision to include Dimitrov and Wawrinka.
The Bulgarian led Jannik Sinner in last year’s fourth round before a heartbreaking injury, while the Swiss is set to retire from tennis at the end of the season.
Joining them in receiving initial wildcards are Britons Jacob Fearnley, Arthur Fery, Jack Pinnington Jones and Toby Samuel.
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