We look at the reigning emperor, Novak Djokovic, and his dazzling, all-powerful hold over tennis at the moment, and we ask: Which rising young player can disrupt his rule in the coming years?
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However, the world No 1 did not want to be drawn into talk of meeting Murray in the Wimbledon final.
‘It’s flattering to hear Ivan’s comments, ‘ Djokovic said. I just didn’t play well in the key points – that’s probably why I lost the match. And when Laver was winning as professional tennis player the perspective was tremendous. I don t think 58 or 50 will be his best ranking.
“They’re a good team so it’s going to be interesting”. He’s won against Federer the last four times they’ve met at majors – and he’s beaten Murray in the last five Grand Slam matches they’ve contested.
Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam victor, has not won a major title since lifting the Wimbledon trophy in 2012.
Currently, the United Kingdom has around four times more boys playing tennis than girls, with that figure becoming even more disparate the younger the participants are. Serena Williams was just two wins away from emulating the achievement, but was stunned in the US Open semi-finals by Roberta Vinci.
“Of course I’m very proud and very thrilled to be able to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time”.
“I was thrilled it happened for me”, Laver said. “It’s back on grass now and starting from scratch”.
Djokovic is bidding to win Wimbledon for the fourth time and third year in a row as the Serb chases a rare calendar Grand Slam.
Golfer Rory McIlroy has announced he will not be travelling to Rio because of concerns regarding the Zika virus but Djokovic has no intention to withdraw from the Games.
“To me it’s not surprising, it’s not a no-brainer, but I think the fact his best success was with Ivan, it makes sense to give this another shot given the circumstances”.
The 13-year-old Dr Thomlinson Middle School pupil was playing for a spot at August’s National Finals of the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & Under Challenge at the All England Club, looking to walk away as overall champion of the tournament.
Budge might have added to those six straight major titles, but he turned professional after the 1938 season, taking him out of contention to win more majors. Canada’s Milos Raonic, who has hired John McEnroe as coach, is sixth.
Stockport-based Broady, ranked 234th in the world, landed the last draw he wanted today – the world No2, British No1 and 2013 champion Murray. Konta is seeded 17th.
His injury-enforced withdrawal from the French Open ended his streak of 65 successive Grand Slam appearances stretching back to 1999.
Williams has failed at the last hurdle in her last two major tournaments, enduring surprise defeats at the Australian and French Open finals this year.
The top seed, however, also arrives in high spirits, fresh from sealing a first French Open title, a victory that completed his career set of major triumphs.
The draw was on Friday for the grass-court Grand Slam, which starts on Monday at the All England Club.
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Keeping Murray on the back foot with his powerful groundstrokes and bullet serve, Edmund became the first player to take a set off the defending champion in this year s tournament.
