Carlos Alcaraz stunned the sporting world when he beat Novak Djokovic in last year’s epic Wimbledon final – but the world No.1 is still the ultimate master on grass courts.
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic may be one behind his great rival Roger Federer in the race to become the most successful grass court player of all time, but the Serbian maestro will still be the man to beat when this year’s Championships at the All England Club gets underway in July.
Jannik Sinner’s victory over Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals and his subsequent victory in the final against Daniil Medvedev ensures Djokovic will have another big rival to contend with when he gets back to his favourite grass court next summer.
But the statistics well and truly back up Djokovic’s grass-court prowess, as he has won 34 of his last 35 matches at Wimbledon.
So while Djokovic’s stranglehold of the men’s game may be loosening, he still tops the list in Tennis365’s grass court rankings:
BUY WIMBLEDON TICKETS HERE
1. Novak Djokovic Players who are unfamiliar with the surface can struggle with their movement on a grass court, but Djokovic has mastered the art of sliding on the slick surface and appears to have the perfect game to thrive on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.
His majestically accurate first serve was crucial to take Djokovic’s game to the next level and it is hugely effective on grass. Finally, this champion has a winning mentality that is second to none and that will carry him through tight matches.
2. Carlos Alcaraz The reigning Queen’s Club and Wimbledon champion has to be in second place in our grass court rankings after his wonderful summer of 2023 in London. The young Spaniard admitted he was not comfortable with his movement on grass when he started his Queen’s Club campaign in late June, but he won that title and was then crowned as Wimbledon’s new king a few weeks later.
3. Jannik Sinner
Sinner was comprehensively beaten by Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon semi-final, but he has taken his career to the next level since then. The new Australian Open champion has beaten Djokovic in three of their last four meetings and his performances on grass last summer confirm he can adapt his game to the surface, so Sinner will be a player to watch at the 2024 Championships.
4. Alexander Zverev This big-serving German should be a big contender at Wimbledon this year. Zverev is back to his best after a serious ankle injury suffered in his 2022 French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal and there is no reason why his big hitting came cannot finally come good on grass. He has a poor record at Wimbledon and may not be entirely comfortable on the surface, but his game should be made for the fast courts at the All England Club.
5. Rafael Nadal Two-time Wimbledon champion Nadal admits grass is not his favourite surface, but his record is still one of the best. This Spanish legend should be back at Wimbledon for the first time since he was forced to withdraw from his 2022 semi-final against Nick Kyrgios due to injury.
He knows how to win big matches and if he gets to Wimbledon in good health, he has to be a contender.
6. Nick Kyrgios Like Nadal, the big question mark over Kyrgios is his health.
The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up insists he is still keen to return to the court, but his growing brand which includes podcasts and broadcasting roles leaves a question mark over his future as a professional athlete.
The battle for the most prestigious title in tennis will start again as the 2024 Wimbledon champions get underway in July – and you could be there.
A VIP experience from Keith Prowse – Wimbledon’s Official Hospitality Partner – is one of the only paths to guaranteed courtside seats on either Centre Court or No.1 Court. In a brand new addition for 2024, Keith Prowse have worked in collaboration with The All England Lawn Tennis Club and world-renowned Michelin Star Chef, Michel Roux, to launch ‘Le Gavroche at The Lawn’; an exceptionally exclusive space within the already multi-award winning facility, The Lawn.
With Mayfair’s iconic Le Gavroche restaurant having closed its doors in January of this year, ‘Le Gavroche at The Lawn’ will offer guests the opportunity to experience an exquisite tasting menu showcasing exactly what made this dining experience – the very first to be awarded a Michelin Star in the UK – so very special.
These signature dishes will be perfectly paired with outstanding, hand-selected wines – all of this, embellished with the famous Le Gavroche Cheese Trolley, Assiette du Chef and a complimentary bar including premium spirits, bespoke cocktails and vintage champagne.
The space itself will emulate that of its Mayfair predecessor with select SW19 styling; a private balcony, a glass wine wall frontage and a curated, intimate space with tables for 2, 4 or 6 guests – with finer details featuring original and historic artwork and artefacts from both Le Gavroche and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum’s archives.