San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
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Novak Djokovic
Tied with Roger Federer for the second-highest Grand Slam title total among men, two behind Rafael Nadal, who beat Djokovic in the French Open quarterfinals. …
Seeking a fourth consecutive championship at Wimbledon and seventh overall. Only Federer, with eight, and Pete Sampras, with seven, have reached that total among men in the professional era. … Wasn’t able to play at the Australian Open this year because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and could face the same issue at the U.S. Open in August.
Rafael Nadal
Won the Australian Open in January, then French Open in June, first time he’s been halfway to a calendar-year Grand Slam. … Numbed the chronic pain in his left foot with injections at Roland Garros; after title there, said he would play Wimbledon only if he could find another solution to the problem in his foot. … After reaching the final in five consecutive Wimbledon appearances during the span from 2006 to 2011, hasn’t been that far again since.
Carlos Alcaraz
Has appeared in seven Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the quarterfinals at two of the past three. … Moved into the top 10 of the ATP rankings in April, while still 18, the youngest player to do so since Nadal in 2005. … Beat Nadal and Djokovic in consecutive matches en route to the title at the Madrid Open in May. … Coached by 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Matteo Berrettini
Enters on a nine-match winning streak, all on grass courts, after titles at Stuttgart, Germany, and Queen’s Club in London. … That run comes in his return after being sidelined since March because of an operation on his right hand. … He’s 32-3 on grass since the start of 2019, with two of the losses coming on Centre Court at Wimbledon against Djokovic (in last year’s final) and against eight-time champion Federer (in the fourth round three years ago).
WOMEN Iga Swiatek
Enters on a 35-match winning streak, tied for the longest run since 2000. … Won her past six tournaments. … Has not played since earning second major trophy at Roland Garros. … Only player from Poland to win a Grand Slam singles championship. … Split from coach Piotr Sierzputowski in the offseason and hired Tomasz Wiktorowski, who used to work with 2012 Wimbledon runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska.
Ons Jabeur
Coming off a first-round loss at the French Open. … Played doubles with Serena Williams at grass-court tuneup in Eastbourne this month. … First Arab woman to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament and first to win a WTA title. … Combines ability to produce heavy hitting from baseline with terrific drop shots.
Maria Sakkari
After reaching her first two Grand Slam semifinals last season, at the French Open and U.S. Open, made it to the fourth round at the Australian Open in January, before bowing out in the second round at Roland
Garros last month. … Only one player in the Wimbledon women’s field has more aces in 2022 than Sakkari’s 144 (Elena Rybakina, 159).
Emma Raducanu
Still only has participated in four Grand Slam tournaments but owns a championship from one. … Was first qualifier to win a major championship when she claimed the title at Flushing Meadows last September. … Her Grand Slam debut came at Wimbledon a year ago, when she made a surprising run to the fourth round. … Has gone through a series of coaches since her U.S. Open victory.
Coco Gauff
Coming off her first Grand Slam singles final at Roland Garros; also was the doubles runner-up there. … At just 18, will be making her 12th appearance at a major tournament.
Serena Williams
Making return to singles play after a year away; received a wild-card invitation. … Last match was at Centre Court in 2021, when she injured her right leg during the first set in the first round. … Played two doubles matches on grass at Eastbourne the week before Wimbledon. … In 20 previous appearances at the All England Club, reached the final 11 times, winning seven titles and finishing as the runner-up four times. … Practiced on Centre Court on Friday.