Wimbledon | Seven stories to follow

The most prestigious major tennis tournament is upon us. What story will mark this 2024 edition of Wimbledon? A look at the leaders in the rankings ahead of what should prove to be a thrilling tournament.

Jannik Sinner, a first title at Wimbledon?

He is world number one for the first time in his career, and everything is going well for him this season. Jannik Sinner arrives at Wimbledon full of confidence, after winning his first tournament on grass last week by defeating Hubert Hurkacz in the final in Halle. Last year, the 22-year-old tennis player reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon. He was beaten by Novak Djokovic. This year, Sinner’s tennis is elsewhere. He has reached another stage. The Stage with a capital E, the one that allows you to dream of the greatest honors. Sinner already has four titles in 2024, including the Australian Open. The young Italian started the season with 24 victories in his first 25 confrontations. He has only lost four duels so far. Amazing figures. It will be intriguing to see the current best player on the circuit at work at the All England Club.

And the 25th^e Major title for Novak Djokovic ?

Before losing in the final to Carlos Alcaraz last year, Novak Djokovic had won the previous four editions of Wimbledon. Will he get revenge this year? Only problem: the Serbian injured his right knee barely three weeks ago, at Roland-Garros. He had surgery the next day. Last week, he was back training at Wimbledon, his knee protected by a brace. His mere participation in the tournament is almost a miracle. Djokovic has triumphed at Wimbledon seven times since 2011. He is seeking his 25^e major title; it still seems entirely possible that he could reach that remarkable plateau… if his knee holds up, of course. We wouldn’t be against a take two of the Alcaraz-Djokovic rivalry.

Carlos Alcaraz, encore?

“I was beaten by someone better than me today,” Djokovic said after Alcaraz’s sensational victory in the final last year. Will the Spaniard be able to do it again? We won’t bet against the man who, at 21, won his third major title just three weeks ago. Nothing, and especially no one, stops Alcaraz when he is 100%. A clash against Jannik Sinner, the world’s number one racket, would certainly be captivating. On his Instagram page, the young prodigy has pinned three photos at the top of his profile; those of his three Grand Slam victories. The platform does not allow you to pin four, however…

Can Iga Świątek excel on grass?

Iga Świątek has nothing left to prove to anyone, but she has yet to win a Wimbledon title. The one nicknamed the queen of clay has not yet been able to translate her excellence onto grass. It is her worst surface. She has not yet been able to do better than a quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon. Świątek is not spectacular, but she can do anything. At 23, she has just won her fourth title in her sixth appearance at Roland Garros. The Polish player still dominates the WTA rankings. She should win a title at the All England Club one day or another. Will that day be in 2024?

A second major title for Coco Gauff?

Can the reigning US Open champion become the Wimbledon champion? Not so long ago, the 15-year-old Gauff was the player of the hour at Wimbledon. Applauded by all, the teenager had a prodigious run until the fourth round of the major tournament. Five years later, this same athlete is 20 years old and ranks second in the world. She has gained maturity. Last September, she won her first Grand Slam title at home at the United States Open. Wimbledon is the only major tournament where she has never reached the semi-finals or even the quarter-finals – last year, her run ended in the first round. At this point, nothing is impossible for the young American sensation.

Aryna Sabalenka, la favorite

Aryna Sabalenka is, in a way, the favorite to win Wimbledon this year. The Belarusian has had excellent performances at Grand Slams since 2023, winning the Australian Open twice, reaching the final of the US Open and the semifinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. While she is better on hard and clay, her style is perfect for grass. If she plays to her full potential, she is very difficult to beat on this surface. Sabalenka, explosive and aggressive as can be, has what it takes to triumph. The only downside: she retired in the quarterfinals in Berlin last week, due to shoulder pain. Will she be at her best in England? We hope so for her. And we hope so for ourselves.