adminLONDON. — A stellar cast of ageing greats has assembled for what could be one of the final times at Wimbledon as the jewel of the British sporting summer returns.
Many of the world’s biggest names are set to take part at the All England Club, led by Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Emerging stars like Emma Raducanu, Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz are also playing.
However, it will be another SW19 tournament which has a different feel because of a major global crisis.
There are no ranking points available for the players because Wimbledon, unlike its Grand Slam partners at the French Open and US Open, decided to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing because of the invasion of Ukraine.
Daniil Medvedev, the Russian who is the men’s world number one, is the biggest absentee because of the move.
With the 135th edition of the championships starting on Monday, BBC Sport runs through the major talking points in SW19.
Despite thinking last year his career was over because of a chronic foot injury, 36-year-old Nadal has battled back to win the Australian Open and French Open titles this year.
Shortly after winning a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam men’s singles title in Paris, attention quickly turned to Wimbledon and whether Nadal would be able to play.
The Spaniard needed anaesthetic injections to numb the pain at Roland Garros, saying he “could not and did not want to” continue playing under those circumstances.
But after having radiofrequency ablation treatment — which uses heat on the nerve to quell long-term pain — he decided to travel to London.
“It’s obvious that, if I am here, it’s because things are going better,” said second seed Nadal. If not, I would not be here. I’m quite happy about the things, how they evolved. I can’t be super happy because I don’t know what can happen.”
After playing an exhibition at the Hurlingham Club, Nadal headed to the All England Club and took part in the first practice session allowed on Centre Court.
Top seed Djokovic, 35, remains the favourite to retain the men’s singles and win a seventh title which would move him alongside Pete Sampras and one behind Roger Federer’s record.
Federer is not playing as he recovers from a knee injury which needed a third surgery in August. The 40-year-old Swiss has not played since losing in the Wimbledon quarter-finals last year but plans to make a comeback at the Laver Cup and Swiss Indoors tournament later this year.
Serbia’s Djokovic is tied with Federer on 20 Grand Slam titles and is aiming to close the gap on Nadal in the continuing battle to finish with the most majors. — BBC Sport.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter