Wimbledon Men’s Championship Review: Djokovic triumphs in an epic two weeks of tennis

Wimbledon 2018 was one of the most exciting men’s slams in recent memory. We had epic matches, new records, shocks and controversy. Here I look back on the main talking points from 2 weeks of action.

Djokovic is back

Novak Djokovic won his first Grand Slam title since 2016 in a relatively straight forward final. His epic win over Rafael Nadal shows that he is truly back to his best. When he won Roland Garros two years ago, he held all four Grand Slams at the same time, being the only man in history to do so. His run here proves he is back and now looks the man to beat as we approach the hard court season.

Novak Djokovic won his fourth Wimbledon title this year. Photo By: PA

Big Servers are prospering

Kevin Anderson’s run to the final and John Isner’s run to the semis show that the big servers can make a deep run in Slams. Marin Cilic’s final appearance at Wimbledon last year and the Australian Open in January has highlighted how the taller players are now appearing at the business end of Slams. They key now is for a big server to consistently chalenge for them. Cilic was consistent up until his second round exit at SW19.

Kevin Anderson has made huge strides in recent years. Photo By: Getty

Federer feels the pressure

Roger Federer suffered the shock of the Championship when he lost in five sets to Kevin Anderson. The Swiss maestro was in complete control and had a match point in the third set. As the match went in to a fifth set, his forehand misfired as it did against Kokkinakis in Miami and Del Potro in Indian Wells. He seems to be putting pressure on himself after all his success. His problem seems to be caused by himself and he will need to solve it before the US Open.

Federer was unable to defend his title. Sourced Via: Sky Sports

An Old Man’s Game

The men’s final was contested by two men in their thirties. It is the first time in the Open era that two men in their thirties have contested a Wimbledon final. This begs the question: where are the young guns? They don’t seem to be ready yet to beat Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in a 5 setter.

Nadal-Djokovic rivalry is up there with the greatest in the sport

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic played out a Wimbledon classic under the roof in a match that exceeded the high expectations. The two warriors slugged it out in endless rallies until Djokovic emeged victorious. The semi-final was the best game of the Championship as Djokovic now leads the head t head by 27-25. Their rivalry is up there with Nadal-Federer and Agassi-Sampras. We are lucky to witness rivalries such as this.

The Nadal-Djokovic rivalry has emerged as one of the biggest in the history of tennis. Photo By: Getty

 

5 Men who can win the Men’s Singles title at Wimbledon

Roger Federer

The King of Grass is looking to retain his Wimbledon crown that he won so emphatically in 2017. He has won this title a record eight times and will be the man to beat when the tournament commences on Monday, July 2nd. He is seeded 1 at Wimbledon and looks to be placed on the easier side of the draw. Despite losing the final at Halle last week, it will take a special performance to beat Federer at his favourite tournament.

Can anyone stop Federer retaining his Wimbledon title? Sourced Via: Sky Sports

Marin Cilic

The big serving Croat is well built for the grass and reached the final last year. He suffered from blisters and was easily beaten by Federer. He enters the tournament having won the Aegon Championships at the Queens tennis club last weekend. He reached the final of the Australian Open and the quarter finals at Roland Garros. He is in the same side of the draw as Federer but he will not fear facing the defending champion. Winning that match could be the key to winning Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic

The champion of 2011 and 2014 returns to Wimbledon with hope. He lost the final of the Aegon Championships where despite having match point, he lost to Marin Cilic. His run to the final is encouraging news but will he be able to last two weeks and beat the big guys? He has shown before that he has the game to win but question marks still remain. If he i physically right then he can be the king of SW19 once more.

Novak Djokovic won his second of hi Wimbledon titles in 2014. Can he win his third this year? Photo By: PA

Rafael Nadal

Nadal did not play in a grass court tournament and instead chose to play exhibition matches against Lucas Pouille and Matthew Ebden. He beat Ebden but lost to Pouille. There are question marks hanging over his fitness and he has exited Wimbledon early for the past few years. He lost to an inspired Gilles Muller last year but from the period 2006-2011 he reched the Wimbledon final every year with the exception of 2009 when he did not play. He has the potential but can he banish the recent losses at SW19.

Can Nadal bring his clay court form to the grass? Photo By: Getty

Juan Martin Del Potro

Del Potro is a real fans’ favourite in Southwest London and reached the semi-final in 2013 where he lost an epic match to Novak Djokovic. He has not had as much success in recent years but he has enjoyed a decent season so far, reaching the semi-final at Roland Garros. He suffered a one-sided defeat to Novak Djokovic at Queens last week and has a history of injuries. He is placed on the tougher side of the draw but he is a dark horse.

Can Juan Martin Del Potro be the dark horse this year? Photo By: Getty

Nick Kyrgios

The talented Aussie has a game perfectly built for grass. He beat Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2014 and he reached the semi-final of the Aegon Championships last week. His temperament is questionable to say the least but if he performs to his potential then he will be a match for anyone. His biggest opponent is himself.