Wimbledon legends Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are set to begin their campaigns at the All England Club on Tuesday, following recent surgeries in preparation for the Grand Slam. Djokovic, recovering from a knee operation that forced him to withdraw from the French Open quarter-finals, aims to match the record for the most men’s Wimbledon titles with his eighth.
He starts his journey against Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva. Meanwhile, Britain’s Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, will face Czech player Tomas Machac. Murray recently underwent surgery to remove a spinal cyst and is competing in what he has indicated may be his final Wimbledon appearance.
Also on the second day of the Championships, women’s world number one and five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek will seek to advance past the quarter-finals stage for the first time in her career.
Novak Djokovic v Vit Kopriva
World number two Novak Djokovic has announced that he is now “pain-free” after concerns arose that he might miss Wimbledon due to surgery for a torn meniscus.
The Serbian star has been out of action since withdrawing from the French Open just before his quarter-final match against Casper Ruud. At 34 years old, Djokovic is keenly aware of the ticking clock as he aims to match Roger Federer’s Wimbledon record and become the first player, male or female, to secure 25 Grand Slam singles titles.
Despite arriving in London without a title this season and losing his Australian Open crown and number one ranking to 22-year-old Jannik Sinner, Djokovic expressed a strong determination to compete.
He recently practiced with a knee support and emphasized his “incredible desire” to play. Having reached the finals in each of the last five Wimbledon tournaments, Djokovic is set to face Vit Kopriva, ranked 123rd, for the first time in his career.
Andy Murray v Tomas Machac
It has been a suspenseful lead-up to Wimbledon for British tennis star Andy Murray, as questions loomed over whether he would be fit to compete following his recent surgery, just over a week before the tournament began.
At 34 years old, Murray has set his sights on concluding his career at the upcoming Paris Olympics but has expressed a strong desire to bid farewell on the courts of Wimbledon, a venue close to his heart.
Despite his challenges with injuries, Murray has dropped to 113th in the world rankings. However, it now appears likely that he will fulfill his dream of a final appearance at Wimbledon.
Additionally, he is slated to compete in doubles alongside his brother Jamie. Murray is scheduled to face the 39th-ranked Tomas Machac on Centre Court on Tuesday, a match that is sure to evoke strong emotions.
Machac currently holds a 2-0 advantage in their head-to-head encounters, both victories having occurred earlier this year.
“I’m hoping maybe for a bit of closure,” said Murray, who won the Wimbledon title in 2013 and 2016.
“I just want the opportunity to play one more time out there, hopefully on Centre Court, and feel that buzz.”
Iga Swiatek v Sofia Kenin
World number one Iga Swiatek arrives at the All England Club on the back of a 19-match winning streak but with lingering questions over whether she can transfer her clay-court form to the grass.
Swiatek, who has won five trophies already this year, has not played a warm-up tournament on grass, opting to withdraw from the Berlin event in order to rest.
Last year’s quarter-final appearance was her best showing so far at Wimbledon but the Pole, 23, is justifiably tipped to go far at this year’s Wimbledon, where she clinched the junior title in 2018.
First up is Sofia Kenin, whom Swiatek defeated in the first round of the Australian Open this year.
The 49th-ranked US player has struggled this season but she has experience of the sharp end of Grand Slams, triumphing at the 2020 Australian Open before losing to Swiatek in the final of the French Open months later.
