Wimbledon tips: Novak Djokovic injury throws men's singles trophy chase wide open

The pursuit of the third Grand Slam title of the year could come down to a battle between the two men who have shared the Major triumphs this year. However, their showdown is slated to be a semi-final meeting.

Tournament favourites Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have been placed in the same half of the draw and will meet in the Wimbledon semi-finals if both men make it that far.

Planet Sport Bet currently has Sinner installed as the favourite to lift the famous trophy at the all England Club in roughly a fortnight.

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Why Jannik Sinner has been made favourite

Sinner opted for a less is more approach to his preparation for Wimbledon and played just one grass court event in the build up.

However, Sinner also won that event, sweeping to the Halle Open title at the OWL Arena in Germany and keeping and giving himself an unbeaten record on grass this term.

Sinner was in impressive form during that run showing that his effort serve is a deadly weapon that might be enough to power the Italian to the Wimbledon title.

He heads into Wimbledon esteemed as the No 1 men's player in the world and perhaps rightly the big favourite.

 

No writing off Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz also opted to play one warm-up event but suffered an early exit from his title defence at Queen's, losing to newly crowned British No 1 Jack Draper in the second round.

The No 3 seed at Wimbledon is second favourite for a title run following his appearance in the championship match last season.

Despite some injury woes this ter, Alcaraz has added big titles at Indian Wells and Roland Garros to his collection and would love to secure a first Wimbledon trophy.

The first seeded player that Alcaraz could possibly meet is No 29 seed Frances Tiafoe who is on course to clash with the Spaniard in the third round if he can survive a tough section that features former Masters champion Borna Coric and rising Italian star Matteo Arnaldi.

 

Novak Djokovic lurks

Djokovic was placed in serious doubt for this year's Wimbledon after suffering a meniscus injury at the French Open and undergoing surgery.

Suggestions that he simply isn't human gain more credence as Djokovic made it to a Wimbledon practice this week on centre court and with the world watching showed no signs of trouble.

Whether he can reach his usual level and sustain that across two weeks remains to be seen.

Normally Djokovic would be the clear favourite but his injury struggle ensures that he lags behind the two men who have won Grand Slam titles already this season.

 

Is there anyone else?

On Monday, the Wimbledon Championships get underway with 128 men in the running to win the title, but the bookies aren't looking beyond the three men we have already mentioned.

Of course, other players could win Wimbledon, but the big gap between the top three players and all the rest when it comes to the length of odds speaks volumes.

Big-serving Hubert Hurkacz is a great dark horse candidate purely off the back of his powerful delivery and several other players who have a serve and little else will zero in on Wimbledon as their shot at greatness.

Hurkacz has more to his game than just a serve and should be tough to beat as his effort in pushing Sinner to two tie-breaks in Halle attests.

All action Alex De Minaur isn't your prototypical Wimbledon winner but he has been a consistent contender this term and will be a dangerous figure.

Draper's maiden ATP Tour title has come in this grass swing and he stands as the best chance of a home win even though he is something of an outsider.