Preview: Can Murray Make Winning Return At Wimbledon?
Andy Murray is set to make an emotional return at Wimbledon, scene of his 2013 and 2016 triumphs, on Monday. The British star, who has not competed at the All England Club since 2017, headlines day one alongside defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Murray, who is playing in his first Grand Slam since Roland Garros last September, is feeling confident ahead of his opening match against 24th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili on Centre Court.
“I'm competing well with all of the players that I practised with,” Murray told the press before the tournament. “That's the really positive thing for me. That's one of the reasons why I'm sure that if my body holds up that I can do well and can compete with these guys on the biggest stages. I think how you perform in them can give you some knowledge about where you are.”
The former World No. 1 successfully trained with eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer on Friday and could face either Oscar Otte or Arthur Rinderknech in the second round.
Defending champion, top seed Novak Djokovic opens proceedings per tradition on Centre Court against British wild card Jack Draper.
The Serbian superstar lifted his 19th Grand Slam in Paris in June when he fought back to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets. Djokovic also claimed his ninth Australian Open crown in February and is 27-3 on the season. The World No. 1 will equal Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 Grand Slam titles if he wins his fourth tour-level trophy of the year at the All England Club.
“The level of confidence is pretty high [after] winning the two majors this year, playing very well in Roland Garros,” Djokovic said in his pre-tournament press conference. “That tournament took a lot out of me, mentally and physically and emotionally. It also granted me with an incredible amount of positive energy and confidence that created a wave that I'm trying to ride.”
Djokovic’s opponent in the Roland Garros final, Tsitispas, will look to improve on his 3-3 record at the grass-court Grand Slam, starting against American Frances Tiafoe on Court One.
The third seed could challenge Djokovic in the semi-finals, but has not played on grass since his first-round defeat at Wimbledon to Thomas Fabbiano in 2019. Tsitsipas won the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters in April and has recorded a tour-leading 39 wins this year, sitting second in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin.
The Greek is seeking a maiden Grand Slam title at SW19 and will play Roberto Carballes Baena or Vasek Pospisil if he can advance on Monday. However, he played down his chances on the eve of the tournament.
“I haven't really played much on grass. I've practised a couple of times,” Tsitsipas said. “I've played a few practice sets. I'm feeling all right on grass. I think it will take a few matches for me to start gaining more confidence. I just want to see how every single match that I get to play here will evolve, and what are my opportunities going to be. Right now, I don't think I [have] had enough matches.”
Fifth seed Andrey Rublev will begin his quest against Federico Delbonis on Court Two. The Russian has won eight tour-level titles and reached the final at the NOVENTI OPEN (l. to Humbert) in Halle earlier this month. The 23-year-old has never progressed past the second round at Wimbledon, but comes into the event high in confidence on grass.
There will be two #NextGenATP stars making their debuts at the All England Club on Monday. The 19-year-old Jannik Sinner will begin proceedings on Court 18 against World No. 49 Marton Fucsovics. Sinner is the 19th seed and looks set to qualify for the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals in November, as he currently leads the way in the ATP Race To Milan.
The Miami Open presented by Itau finalist is joined in the draw by Sebastian Korda. The 20-year-old American, who won his first ATP Tour title at the Emilia-Romagna Open in Parma in May, faces a difficult opening assignment on Court 14. He will play Viking International Eastbourne champion and 15th seed Alex de Minaur.
Roberto Bautista Agut, Denis Shapovalov, and Gael Monfils are among the other seeds in action on Monday. Bautista Agut, the eighth seed, will take on Australian John Millman, while Shapovalov, seeded 10th, will face Philipp Kohlschreiber. The 13th seed Monfils begins against Christopher O'Connell on Court 12.