The wait is over and today the curtain will rise on Wimbledon 2024. It will be the first Slam as world number one for Jannik Sinnerwho will begin his journey with German Yannick Hanfmann. A debut that should be quiet for the South Tyrolean against an opponent who has never gone beyond the first round in his two participations in the Championships. The draw, as is well known, was not lucky for the native of San Candido, given that in the second round there could be a very delicate blue derby with Matteo Berrettini. The Roman will also take to the field today, facing the Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, certainly a very uncomfortable customer on the London grass given that he boasts a quarter-final in 2021.
As per tradition at Wimbledon, the defending champion will open the program on Centre Court. Carlos Alcaraz will begin his title defense against 21-year-old Estonian Mark Lajalwho brilliantly passed the qualifications and who will be in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Wimbledon draw debut also for Mattia Bellucci, who will face the American Ben Shelton. We expected the number 14 in the world to have a totally different path on grass in recent weeks, where he really disappointed with only one victory to his name. On the other side of the net there is a Bellucci who can worry him and who was very good in the qualifiers, even overcoming worthy opponents such as the Belgian David Goffin. Also on the field Lorenzo Sonegoon whom luck in the draw definitely smiled, given that the Piedmontese will make his debut against the Argentine Mariano Navone, probably the best possible seed to face on grass.
A difficult task, however, for Matteo Arnaldi, who will face the American Frances Tiafoe, number twenty-nine in the seeding. A complicated match that could easily turn into a five-set battle. There will be also Fabio Fognini, whose first round opponent has changed, as it will no longer be the German Dominik Koepfer, but the Frenchman Luca Van Assche, who was fished out as a lucky loser.
Among the most interesting matches of the men’s draw is certainly the Russian’s debut Daniil Medvedev, seed number five, who will face the American Aleksandar Kovacevic. Also in the same quadrant is the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who will face the Serbian Dusan Lajovic in an easy first round. Casper Ruud never liked grass and Wimbledon (never beyond the second round) and certainly risks against the Australian Alex Bolt. Explosive first round between the German Jan-Lennard Struff and the Hungarian Fabian Maroszan.
In the women’s field, Jasmine Paolini makes her debut. The world number seven approaches Wimbledon with ambitions and with the aim of trying to reach the second week. The Tuscan will face the Spanish Sara Sorribes Tormo in a first round which should not cause major worries. He will always be on the same field Martina Trevisan, who will probably face an insurmountable obstacle like the American Madison Keys. Debut also for Sarah Errani against the Czech Linda Noskova in another very difficult first round for the Italian.
Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka debut, the second and third seeds respectively, who will face the Americans Caroline Dolehide and Emina Bektas. The British public is hoping for Emma Raducanu, who was granted a spot on Centre Court in a fascinating first round with Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova.
