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The 2018 Wimbledon Season is all set to get underway and Roger Federer will be aiming to defend his title in the upcoming season. The Swiss legend has reestablished himself in the last one and a half years by winning three Grand Slam titles since his return in January last year from a career-threatening knee injury.
The 36-year-old is once again the top contender for winning the title for the 9th time. Rafael Nadal too, after winning his 11th French Open in June, is one of the favorites to win the tournament.
On the other hand, Novak Djokovic, who was struggling to find his form in the last two years, recently made it to the finals of the Queens Club Championships, which the Serbian had said has helped him gain much-needed confidence ahead of the tournament.
Andy Murray, who had lost his touch because of the hip injury, will be making a comeback in this tournament, but many think that the 31-year-old may need some more time to be at his best.
Apart from these heavyweights, there are some exceptional players who in recent years have been trying to come out of the shadows of these players and are looking to produce some enigmatic performances in the most reputed Grand Slam event in Tennis.
We take a look at five such players who could produce some eye-catching performances in the upcoming Wimbledon season:
# 1 Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem is considered to be the next superstar in the making in Tennis circles. The 25-year-old produced some decent performances this year by winning the Lyon Open in May and finished runner-up in the Madrid Open in the same month, losing to Alexander Zverev in the finals.
The Austrian also finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal in the French Open last month. He also won the Argentina Open in February by beating Aljaz Bedene in the finals with a 6-2, 6-4 scoreline. His destructive forehands combined with his solid groundstrokes can trouble any opponent.
His quick groundstrokes have outdone many opponents, while his topspin shots are quite effective during rallies.
#2 Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev has been touted as the next big thing in the Tennis circuit much like Thiem, but the German hasn’t lived up to expectations. Many think that the German may need some more time to develop the temperament one needs to excel in Grand Slams.
The 22-year-old won the Madrid Masters in May by beating Thiem in the finals and was runner-up in Miami and Rome in March and May. He also won the Bavarian International Tennis Championship in April.
His fantastic serves can outclass his rivals, while he has this ability to surprise his opponents with his quick serves.
Zverev’s forehand is considered to be his main weakness and it is an area where some players might take advantage of to catch him off-guard. His powerful baselines can floor any opponent.
#3 Marin Cilic
Marin Cilic is another player who hasn’t done justice to his talent. The Croatian was the runner-up in the last edition of Wimbledon as the 30-year-old lost his way in that game because of an injury.
This year too he was a runner-up in the Australian Open as he lost against Federer in the finals.
Cilic recently won the Queens Club championships and the 2014 US Open champion had stated that winning that tournament has boosted his morale, which could help him give his best in the upcoming Wimbledon event. He was the runner-up in the Stuttgart Open in Germany last month where he lost to Federer in the final.
His sublime baselines have always unsettled his opponents combined with his powerful groundstrokes.
Cilic has this ability to produce some brilliant groundstrokes during the run of play which can outclass his rivals. He can also execute some exceptional drop shots. Cilic can also cover a lot of ground with his reach and quick moves.
#4 Juan Martin Del Potro
The Argentine is a big threat to every opponent because of his reputation as a giant killer. Del Potro surely has the ability to outlast any opponent with his powerful serve and rapid groundstrokes. His electric forehand is considered the best which he often executes with speed and accuracy.
The 2009 US Open Champion can also generate a lot of speed with his destructive baselines. His return to the sport last year from a career-threatening wrist injury wasn’t that impressive but it looks as if Del Potro is slowly finding his touch. He won the Mexican Open in February and the Indian Wells Masters in March this year.
He finished runner-up in the Auckland Open in January. Martin Del Potro was always billed as the most promising talent but his struggles with injuries have hampered his progress.
The 30-year-old can take heart from the act that he had made it to the 2013 Wimbledon which might just inspire him to do well in the tournament.
# 5 Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios is a surprise inclusion in our list as the Australian hasn’t been in the best of forms off late, but the 24-year-old will be inspired by his victory in the Lyon Open in May.
He also made it to the semifinals of the Stuttgart Open and Queens Club Championships in June in the doubles events.
The Australian has always been criticized for his constant run-ins with his opponents and match officials. Some ex-players have stated that may be because of this Kyrgios is not able to live up to his reputation.
Kyrgios possesses some wonderful forehands that can shut out the best opponents. He also possesses some electric serves that can outfox the rivals. Kyrgios can also produce some thrilling backhands which are too hot to handle.
Which of these players will have the most impact during Wimbledon? Sound off your opinions in the comments section below!
