MEN TO WATCH AT WIMBLEDON 2016
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
Age: 29
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US101,917,404 ($A136.59 million)
Career titles: 65
Grand slam titles: 12 (Australian Open 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-16; French Open 2016; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015; US Open 2011, 2015)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 52-8
Best Wimbledon results: champion 2011, 2014, 2015
The first man in almost a quarter of a century to complete the Australian Open-French Open double is halfway towards a rare calendar-year grand slam sweep and a deserved favourite to land a fourth crown on London’s hallowed grass courts.
ANDY MURRAY (SCO)
Age: 29
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US46,740,897 ($A62.64 million)
Career titles: 37
Grand slam titles: 2 (US Open 2012; Wimbledon 2013)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 46-9
Best Wimbledon result: champion 2013
Djokovic’s biggest danger has enjoyed instant success since reuniting with old coach Ivan Lendl, claiming a record fifth Queen’s Club title in their first tournament back together in a perfect lead-in.
ROGER FEDERER (SUI)
Age: 34
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US98,148,225 ($A131.54 million)
Career titles: 88
Grand slam titles: 17 (Australian Open 2004, 2006-07, 2010; French Open 2009; Wimbledon 2003-07, 2009, 2012; US Open 2004-2008)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 79-10
Best Wimbledon results: champion 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
The seven-times champion can never be discounted as a title threat but arrives under a fitness cloud after missing Roland Garros with a back problem while also battling knee issues in an injury-plagued 2016 season.
STAN WAWRINKA (SUI)
Age: 31
Ranking: 5
Plays: Right-handed
Career prize money: $US22,641,619 ($A30.34 million)
Career singles titles: 14
Grand slam titles: 2 (Australian Open 2014; 2015 French Open)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 17-11
Best Wimbledon results: quarter-finalist 2014, 2015
The Swiss enjoyed a gallant French Open title defence, reaching the last four in Paris, and with a top-four seeding looks a decent chance of making the final for the first time.
MILOS RAONIC (CAN)
Age: 25
Ranking: 7
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US10,710,488 ($A14.35 million)
Career titles: 8
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 10-5
Best Wimbledon result: semi-finalist 2014
The Canadian with the biggest serve in tennis has added John McEnroe to his coaching team in a bid to unlock the key to grand slam glory after a run to the Australian Open semi-finals in January.
DOMINIC THIEM (AUT)
Age: 22
Ranking: 8
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US3,902,030 ($A5.23 million)
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 1-2
Best Wimbledon result: second round 2015
The fast-rising Austrian continues to live up to his reputation as the best young player in the game with a charge to the French Open semi-finals before snaring his maiden grasscourt trophy in Stuttgart.
BEST OUTSIDER
MARIN CILIC (CRO)
Age: 27
Ranking: 13
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US13,987,383 ($A18.75 million)
Career titles: 14
Grand slam titles: 1 (2014 US Open)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 17-8
Best Wimbledon results: quarter-finalist 2014, 2015
The former US Open champion is vastly improved on grass, reaching the last eight the past two years after failing to make any real impact on his first six visits to the All England Club.
BEST AUSTRALIAN HOPES
NICK KYRGIOS
Age: 21
Ranking: 18
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US2,726,198 ($A3.65 million)
Career titles: 1
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 7-2
Best Wimbledon result: quarter-finalist 2014
Arrives at his favourite slam with a career-high ranking and the confidence to go deep after securing his maiden ATP title in 2016 plus five top-10 scalps, second only behind Djokovic.
BERNARD TOMIC
Age: 23
Ranking: 19
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US4,242,303 ($A5.69 million)
Career titles: 3
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 10-6
Best Wimbledon result: quarter-finalist 2011
Endured another dreadful claycourt season but has already shown a return to form on his preferred grass surface with a confidence-boosting run to the semi-finals at Queen’s.
