3 storylines to follow on day one of Wimbledon
Published:
1) Novak Djokovic’s quest for history
By winning the French Open earlier in the year, Djokovic completed a career Grand Slam. It had been five years in the making.
Although the Serb added his name to a list of seven other tennis greats by collecting his last triumph, he would be on course to join an even smaller club if he were to win all four major tournaments this calendar year.
Only Don Budge and Rod Laver have managed that feat and, if Djokovic were to match it, he’d also equal Budge’s record of winning six consecutive Grand Slam titles, set all the way back in 1938.
His mission begins as a 1/200 favourite against James Ward in the first round at SW19.
2) Garbine Muguruza moving in on Serena Williams
While Djokovic is a well-established force in the men’s game, recent French Open victor Muguruza is being tipped as the female game’s next.
The Spaniard beat Serena Williams in straight sets to claim the clay-based Slam, winning her first major title in the process.
It is now three straight womens’ Slams that the American powerhouse has failed to claim and if there is to be a changing of the guard, then Muguruza is tipped to take over.
We make the second seed a 9/2 chance to follow up her French Open success with the Wimbledon title.
3) British hopes
There are no fewer than eight British players not named Andy Murray in action on the first day.
As already mentioned Ward begins against Djokovic on Centre Court, but then Laura Robson, Kyle Edmund, Alexander Ward, Naomi Broady, Daniel Evans, Brydan Klein and Marcus Willis will look to use home support to help them advance.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
