Most players claim not to look far ahead in a Grand Slam draw but it’s unlikely that a key point from the Wimbledon men’s draw would have escaped the attention of the two most prolific champions of recent years – drawn in the same half, No.1 seed Novak Djokovic could meet No.3 seed Roger Federer in the semi-finals.
First, three-time champion Djokovic will need to navigate local player James Ward, a wild card entrant in 2016, before a potential second-round match with another Brit, Kyle Edmund (who faces a qualifier first). Seven-time titlist and three-time finalist Federer meets Guido Pella of Argentina, before a possible meeting with Ricardas Berankis in the second round.
Finalists for the past two years – Djokovic winning the 2014 title in a five-set thriller and pushed to four sets as he claimed his third Wimbledon in 2015 – the conclusion of the 2016 Championships, will thus deviate from a pattern of sorts. But that was far from the only intriguing fact that arose from the much-awaited draw.
For Djokovic, the path to the final could include big-serving American Sam Querrey (the No.28 seed), the dangerous David Goffin (No.11) and 2014 semi-finalist Milos Raonic, who will be aiming to achieve his best Wimbledon result with John McEnroe in his coaching team.
Federer’s most challenging opponents potentially include crafty Alexandr Dolgopolov (the No.30 seed), the acrobatic Gael Monfils (No.17) and Kei Nishikori (No.5).
Luck fell in a strange way for No.2 seed and 2013 champion Andy Murray, who faces wild card and countryman Liam Broady in the first round. A match with Yen-Hsun Lu or a qualifier could follow and should Murray progress to a third Grand Slam final in 2016, seeded opponents may include Benoit Paire (No.26), Feliciano Lopez (No.22), Nick Kyrgios (No.15) or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (No.12).
A positive for Murray is that he cannot face Djokovic or Federer before the final – which is also true for No.4 seed Stan Wawrinka, a two-time Grand Slam champion who is yet to progress beyond the quarter-finals at the All England Club. The 31-year-old Swiss has a dangerous first-round opponent in rapidly-rising American Taylor Fritz, the 2015 US Open boys’ champion.
Another tough opponent for Wawrinka could be Juan Martin del Potro, a popular semi-finalist in 2013 before a horror run with wrist injuries sidelined him for the past two years. The Argentine faces Stephane Robert in the first round.
Many fans will be intrigued by early contests between some of the game’s most explosive players.
Kyrgios, who has his highest-ever Grand Slam seeding at No.15, meets veteran Radek Stepanek in the opening round before a possible second-round contest with Dusan Lajovic or Dustin Brown.
Players who both thrive on the big stage, Kyrgios upset then-world No.1 Rafael Nadal in 2014, while Brown ousted the two-time champion in 2015.
As the youngest member of the world’s top 10, 22-year-old Dominic Thiem will be on many ‘must watch’ lists. The Austrian, who is seeded No.8, faces recent surprise Halle champion Florian Mayer in the opening round. Thiem is yet to advance beyond the second round in his two Wimbledon appearances, but confidence was undoubtedly boosted after he claimed his first grass court title in Stuttgart recently.
Other ‘next generation’ champions to watch include No.24 seed Alexander Zverev (a recent winner over Federer in Halle), who plays Paul-Henri Mathieu in his opener. No.27 seed Jack Sock meets the enigmatic Ernests Gulbis first, while No.19 seed Bernard Tomic faces Fernando Verdasco.
One of the most anticipated first-round contests will be between 19-year-old Borna Coric and the 36-year-old Ivo Karlovic, who is contesting Wimbledon for the 12th time. Other early battles to note are the one between Marcos Baghdatis and big-serving American John Isner, as well as the all-French contest between Monfils and Jeremy Chardy.
Players from the top half of the men’s draw will begin their Wimbledon campaigns on Day One of The Championships on Monday.
