‘Why not?’ – Hurkacz on chances to win Wimbledon after Halle victory
Follow live updates from the Wimbledon draw as Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray discover their first-round matches and the top seeds learn their potential routes to the final at the Championships.
The absence of Daniil Medvedev due to the ban on players from Russia and Belarus and the injury to Alexander Zverev means six-time champion Novak Djokovic is the top seed for the men’s draw, with Rafael Nadal to be separated on the other half as second seed.
Iga Swiatek is the top seed in the women’s draw and favourite for the title after winning the French Open and extending her 34-match winning streak, with Raducanu seeded 10th as she returns to Wimbledon following her US Open victory.
There is potential for heavyweight first-round matches on both sides, with two-time Wimbledon winner Murray and seven-time champion Serena Williams among the unseeded players for the Championships and able to be drawn against anyone in the field.
Follow live updates from the All England Club as the tournament draws are made.
Wimbledon 2022: Ceremony about to begin
Here we go! Watch out for Murray and Williams, we could be set for a huge first-round match.
Jamie Braidwood24 June 2022 09:59
Wimbledon 2022: How the draw works
First of all, the 32 seeded players are removed from the hat. The remaining unseeded players are then randomly allocated a spot in the draw, leaving 32 spots.
The seeded players are then drawn into the bracket but certain seeds are kept apart. For example, seeds 1-4 cannot meet until the semi-finals so are placed in different quarters of the draw, while seeds 1-8 cannot meet until the quarter-finals.
The rest is a bit of a free for all. Simple enough.
Jamie Braidwood24 June 2022 09:56
Exclusive: Andrea Jaeger – The dark truth behind a tennis star’s burnout
A two-time grand slam finalist while still a teenager, Andrea Jaeger is often cited as one of tennis’s early examples of burnout. She tells Tom Kershaw how sexual harassment and subsequent threats drove her away.
Jamie Braidwood24 June 2022 09:49
Exclusive: Former Wimbledon finalist sexually harassed ‘at least 30 times’ by WTA staff member
Former Wimbledon finalist Andrea Jaeger says she was sexually harassed “at least 30 times” in the women’s locker room during her career by a WTA staff member.
In an interview with The Independent, Jaeger, who turned professional at just 14 years old and peaked at No 2 in the world rankings, also alleged that she was unknowingly served alcohol at a post-tournament party before a different WTA employee drove her home and attempted to kiss her. She was 16 at the time.
Jaeger, 57, said that when she attempted to make a complaint to someone at the WTA, she was threatened and told not to raise the issue again.
The WTA have been approached for comment.
Click here for the full story:
Tom Kershaw24 June 2022 09:45
Wimbledon 2022: Murray issues injury update
Andy Murray is hopeful to be fully fit for Wimbledon after his preparations for the tournament were disrupted by a strained abdominal injury. Murray was forced to withdraw from the Queen’s Club championships last week but has been pictured serving at the All England Club, in what is a positive sign ahead of the tournament.
The positives are I’ve been able to practise but there are certain shots I’ve not been able to practise, so that has obviously disrupted my preparations,” Murray said earlier this week. “The injury is healing but still not perfect.
“I’ve been practising for the past three or four days and have been practising well. But unfortunately in matches you can’t just not hit certain shots. In the next couple of days hopefully I’ll get the chance to test that and hopefully it will be fine.”
Jamie Braidwood24 June 2022 09:38
Wimbledon 2022: Raducanu on course for Wimbledon
Emma Raducanu is making good progress in her recovery from injury and will take her place in the Wimbledon draw today.
The 19-year-old managed only seven games of her first grass-court tournament of the season in Nottingham a fortnight ago before pulling out after suffering a side strain.
Raducanu was not ready to return for this week’s WTA tournament in Eastbourne but has been practising at the All England Club this week and it is understood she is on course to be fit for the Championships.
The British number one’s team are not taking anything for granted, though, and will monitor her carefully over the next couple of days before a final decision is made.
Raducanu, who made headlines with her debut run to the fourth round at Wimbledon last summer before going on to win the US Open, is the 10th seed in the women’s singles.
Wimbledon 2022: Dart the pick of British wildcards
It’s been a brilliant week for Britain’s players at both Nottingham, Birmingham and Eastbourne, with Harriet Dart, Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage all achieving career-best victories in the women’s tournaments.
Dart is set to break into the world’s top 100 after beating Camilla Giorgi at Nottingham before reaching her first WTA quarter-final. She then repeated the trick at Eastbourne after battling through experienced players in Madison Brengle, Jil Teichmann and Marta Kostyuk.
Boulter has also enjoyed an impressive few weeks and her best win came against former World No 1 Karolina Pliskova at Eastbourne, where Burrage knocked off the tournament’s top seed Paula Badosa.
Hopes are high ahead of Wimbledon but much depends on the draw.
(Getty Images for LTA)
Jamie Braidwood24 June 2022 09:24
Wimbledon 2022: Draper likens ‘fiery’ personality to Murray
Jack Draper is an interesting one and the Briton has come a long way since taking the opening set off Novak Djokovic in last year’s first round.
The 20-year-old is through to his first ATP semi-final at Eastbourne after following his big win over World No 15 Diego Schwartzman with a 6-3 6-3 win over countryman Ryan Peniston yesterday.
With a huge frame and powerful hitting combined with agility and speed around the court, Draper is suited to grass and is coming into form at a good time ahead of Wimbledon.
Draper’s aggression is an important part of his game, too, and has drawn comparisons to Andy Murray, not least from Draper himself. “That’s the unique thing about tennis: everyone has a different mentality. Mine’s a bit more fiery and therefore it’s tough to be calm the whole time,” Draper said.
“If I was calm the whole time, I probably wouldn’t get the best out of myself because that’s just not who I am. Andy’s got a similar personality, I guess. He’s someone who loves competing, wants to win the whole time, and sometimes that brings out a little bit of anger here and there.
Jamie Braidwood24 June 2022 09:13
Wimbledon 2022: Women’s ones to watch
And the same applies for the women’s draw, where Serena Williams is a name none of the top seeds want to land in their section…
WC – Serena Williams (246)
Jamie Braidwood24 June 2022 09:08
Wimbledon 2022: Men’s ones to watch
Unseeded players can draw anyone once their names are pulled out of the hat, and there are some dangerous first-round ties on the cards in the men’s draw. That said, there are 128 players in the main draw so the odds are still pretty high…
WC – Tim van Rijthoven (202)
Jamie Braidwood24 June 2022 08:59