Novak Djokovic is about to face a collection of stern exams at Wimbledon, regardless of the actual fact his solely remaining 'Big Three' rival - Rafael Nadal - is skipping the event attributable to damage. The Serb is gunning for his third consecutive triumph at SW19 and a staggering twenty fourth profession Grand Slam general.

A primary-round match towards Argentine Pedro Cachin needs to be easy sufficient for the 36-year-old, who comes into the event off the again of a French Open win again in June, the place he defeated Casper Ruud within the ultimate.

Djokovic is prone to be preserving one eye on how his key rivals get on on the All England Club forward of potential heavyweight showdowns within the later rounds. The seven-time Wimbledon champion is nice sufficient to mow down all the things in his path and go all the best way, however his bid for the crown might nonetheless be boosted by a variety of key occasions unfolding.

With that, Express Sport takes you thru three issues that might make up an excellent event for Djokovic...

Alcaraz and Kyrgios fall early

Although Djokovic is available in because the favorite, Carlos Alcaraz is the highest seed and the world No 1 after a powerful triumph at Queen's in June. An early exit for the teenager would come as a welcome bonus for the Serb, who's projected to satisfy him within the ultimate.

Alcaraz's first correct check is predicted to return within the fourth spherical, the place he might meet in-form Alex de Minaur. The Aussie coming away victorious would solid apart certainly one of Djokovic's major threats to victory.

Although he has suffered from an absence of aggressive motion over the previous few months, final yr's overwhelmed finalist Nick Kyrgios is certainly one of few gamers with the expertise to unseat Djokovic, so the 28-year-old crashing out early - even perhaps towards David Goffin within the first spherical - would certainly go down nicely within the reigning champion's camp.

Banana pores and skin averted

A comparatively easy projected path to the fourth spherical ought to see Djokovic coast by means of to that stage of the event. Once there, nevertheless, he might face big-serving Polish star Hubert Hurkacz.

Put merely, the 26-year-old has top-of-the-line serves on the ATP Tour, and if he finds a rhythm towards Djokovic, it might be unhealthy news for the 23-time Grand Slam champion regardless of his returning prowess.

If the event pans out as predicted, overcoming a possible banana pores and skin by beating Hurkacz would come as an enormous morale enhance for Djokovic and his crew.

Federer left glum

Formerly the king of Wimbledon and a agency followers' favorite, retired tennis legend Roger Federer at the moment stands alone within the all-time charts with a surprising eight profession titles at SW19. Having waned in his later skilled years, nevertheless, Djokovic has managed to catch up.

The Serb now sits alongside Pete Sampras, simply behind Federer, on seven Wimbledon titles. If he justifies his standing because the bookies' favorite and wins an eighth, it is going to rid the Swiss of a treasured file and solidify Djokovic's case to be thought-about the best of all time.