London, June 28 (UNI) As the curtain rises on another chapter of Wimbledon, the spotlight shifts from past legends to a dynamic crop of new contenders led by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the top two seeds who seem destined for a rematch, if they survive the minefield of the first six rounds.
Alcaraz, the defending champion and master of all surfaces, begins his campaign against the flamboyant Fabio Fognini. The 38-year-old Italian might lack the consistency of his prime, but still relishes the big occasion. In the same quarter lurk potential headaches for the Spaniard – Frances Tiafoe, who pushed him to five sets last year, and Queen’s Club finalist Jiri Lehecka, whom Alcaraz politely called “a nightmare to play”.
Sinner, the newly anointed World No.1, has a trickier path ahead. Still dusting off the disappointment of a Roland-Garros final loss to Alcaraz, the Italian has won just one grass match this season and opens against compatriot Luca Nardi. His projected road to the quarters features dangerous floaters such as Denis Shapovalov, Grigor Dimitrov, and Tommy Paul, before a potential showdown with fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
Adding to the British hopes is 22-year-old Jack Draper, who takes over the local favourite mantle from the retired Andy Murray. As the No.4 seed, he finds himself in a tantalising draw that could set up a quarterfinal clash with Novak Djokovic, assuming the seven-time champion, currently recovering from tonsillitis, navigates the early rounds unscathed.
Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev begins his quest to overcome his recent Grand Slam heartbreaks against Arthur Rinderknech, while his third-round challenge could come from former finalist Matteo Berrettini. Zverev, the No.3 seed, is projected to face Alcaraz in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz has arguably drawn the shortest straw. He opens against 6ft 8inch Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, whose 51 aces in a single match here last year still resonate. With Alexei Popyrin and Daniil Medvedev potentially awaiting him, the American faces a towering challenge on grass.
While the men’s singles draw promises high-octane drama and unpredictable turns, the next two weeks will tell whether form holds or fairytales unfold. What’s clear is that Wimbledon 2025 has all the ingredients of a classic.
