Wimbledon 2019: 10 players with a first Grand Slam in their sights
10 players head to Wimbledon this year with hopes of capturing their first-ever Grand Slam title. Telegraph Sport takes a look at the credentials of each of them...
Men
Stefanos Tsitsipas
The man tennis fans are hoping is the real deal, Tsitsipas fearlessness, allied to possessing every shot in the book suggests he is the player most likely to break up the Big Three's hegemony.
Still only 20, Tsitsipas announced himself to a wider audience by stunning Roger Federer at January's Australian Open on his way to a first major semi-final. He also boasts a victory over Novak Djokovic to his name.
And his results only tell half the story. Tsitsipas is a beautiful player to watch, with his single-handed backhand and diving volleys regularly leaving the purists purring. He is also a thoughtful individual, with a passion for philosophy, and the look of a 16th-century renaissance prince to match.
Dominic Thiem
He may be far more comfortable on clay, but Thiem's zippy serve and forehand should still do some damage at SW19. Thiem is also the owner of one of the game's most stylish backhands, and as he showed in Paris when defeating Djokovic and taking a set off Rafael Nadal, he can mix it with the big boys.
The new coaching set-up with Nicolas Massu has also helped Thiem manage his schedule better to take advantage of his phenomenal stamina.
Alexander Zverev
Having been hailed as a future world No 1 for what feels like decades, it's easy to forget that Zverev is still only 22. The talent is unquestionably there but question marks remain over Zverev's mentality and his ability to deliver when it really matters.
Thus far, two grand-slam quarter-finals is a pretty meagre return for a player of his talents. Perhaps having Andy Murray's former coach Ivan Lendl by his side at Wimbledon will make the difference.
Kevin Anderson
There are question marks over his fitness following an elbow injury, but as last year's runner-up, Anderson has to be a contender. Boasting a formidable serve that comes booming down from his 6ft 8in frame, Anderson's game is well-suited to the grass.
Last year's run is best remembered for is epic win over John Isner, but the greater achievement was beating Federer from two sets and a match point down. No-one will want to face an opponent capable of doing that.
Milos Raonic
Another big-serving former finalist recently back from injury, Raonic will take succour from returning to the surface that best complements his aggressive style. As well as that monster serve, Raonic is also an under-rated volleyer and has reached the quarter-finals or better in four of his last five Wimbledon visits.
Now 28, Raonic's chances of matching his final appearance from 2016 largely depend on his body holding up - especially the knee and back issues that have plagued him this year.
Women
Karolina Pliskova
Possessing one of the biggest serves in the women's game, Pliskova's powerful game has not delivered the results they should have done on grass - although maybe reaching the final at Eastbourne last week will prove a turning point.
Last year the Czech right-hander progressed past the second round for the first time in her seventh appearance in south west London, only to lose to Kiki Bertens in the fourth round.
A consistent performer on the WTA circuit, Pliskova has won two more titles this year to keep her overall tally to 13, yet deep runs in the majors have proved fleeting. A second grand slam final looked on the cards when she saw off Serena Williams to reach the last four of the Australian Open in January. But she was to come unstuck against Naomi Osaka who in turn became the first woman to win back-to-back majors since Williams in 2015.
Madison Keys
The big-hitting American has been knocking on the door in the latter stages of the grand slams since reaching her maiden major final at the US Open in 2017.
A lethal forehand has steered her into the quarter-finals in five of the last seven majors. Keys’ experience, consistency and power make her a dangerous opponent and one others are starting to fear facing. Nicknamed ‘Major Keys’, it appears only a matter of time before she unlocks the door to that elusive first slam.
Belinda Bencic
The talented Swiss has been touted as a future grand slam champion since winning back-to-back junior titles at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2013.
Long-term injuries curtailed her progress but this year the 22-year-old has been healthy and collected a string of top-10 scalps.
Winning her third WTA title after a four-year absence in Dubai in February boosted confidence for a player who has tasted success on the grass on these shores when she was a surprise champion at Eastbourne back in 2015.
Julia Goerges
The 30-year-old German has largely gone under the radar yet has enjoyed a late career resurgence over last 18 months, which peaked with run to semi-finals of last year's Wimbledon. Goerges' complete overhaul of three years ago, where she changed her backroom staff and uprooted from her northern German roots to the south, was key. Having started the year by successfully defending her title in Auckland, the right-hander reached the final of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham last weekend only to run into Ashleigh Barty.
Elina Svitolina
Ukrainian’s season has veered off track since a semi-final run at Indian Wells back in March.
A knee injury forced her to take a short break, but wins have been hard to come by since for the 2018 WTA Finals champion.
Much focus has been placed on Svitolina’s blossoming romance with fellow player Gael Monfils than her results.
Could this relationship bring out a relaxed-vibe in Svitolina at the slams? The 24-year-old matched her quarter-final slam best in Australia in January but has never progressed past the fourth round at Wimbledon. Is her luck about to change?
