Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic cleared for Wimbledon duty

LONDON – Former Wimbledon champions Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic shrugged off lingering injury concerns on June 28, as they took their places in the draw for the third Grand Slam of the year which starts on July 1.

Murray, the 2013 and 2016 winner, had appeared certain to miss out on what will be his farewell appearance at the All England Club after undergoing a back operation last weekend.

Fellow former world No. 1 Djokovic, the seven-time champion, also needed surgery earlier in June after suffering a serious knee injury at the French Open.

However, the two 37-year-olds did not withdraw, although there is a high chance Murray would not be able to play.

The Scot will face 38th-ranked Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic, while Djokovic, seeded second, will take on 123rd-ranked Vit Kopriv, also of the Czech Republic.

Murray, now at 115th in the world, underwent an operation on a spinal cyst and said on June 27 he was unlikely to be fit enough to play in the singles.

The Briton, who plays with a metal hip, went under the knife after experiencing weakness and a loss of coordination in his right leg while playing at Queen’s, forcing him to pull out of that tournament.

“I want to play at Wimbledon one more time,” he said.

“But I would say it’s probably more likely that I’m not able to play singles right now, and I spoke to my brother in terms of the doubles to see if he wants to find someone else to play with... We’ll see how the next few days go.”

Murray and brother Jamie had been awarded the final wildcard for the Wimbledon men’s doubles, but it also remains to be seen if he is fit enough as he looks ahead to the Olympics in Paris to be the final event of his career.

Djokovic, meanwhile, will play Wimbledon despite concerns over his fitness. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has reached the final for the past five years, losing a five-setter in 2023 to Carlos Alcaraz.

If he manages to get far, he could face fourth seed Alexander Zverev – who begins against Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena – in the semi-final.

Jannik Sinner, who succeeded Djokovic as Australian Open champion, is top seed for Wimbledon and starts his campaign against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann.

If he gets through that, he could face Italian compatriot and 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini in the second round.

Alcaraz, seeded third, is in the same half of the draw and on a potential semi-final collision course with Sinner.

The Spaniard tackles 262nd-ranked Mark Lajal of Estonia on Centre Court on July 1.

In the women’s draw, top seed Iga Swiatek was handed a tricky first-round test as the world No. 1 and five-time Grand Slam champion was drawn against American Sofia Kenin.

The Pole, who is seeking her first Wimbledon title after winning her fourth French Open, will need to quickly get up to speed on the grass courts against the 2020 Australian Open champion.

Her potential semi-final opponent is 2022 winner Elena Rybakina, who plays Elena-Gabriela Ruse in Round 1.

Czech reigning champion Marketa Vondrousova, seeded sixth and in the same quarter of the draw as Swiatek, will open against Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Second seed Coco Gauff will play in an all-American tie against Caroline Dolehide while third seed Aryna Sabalenka takes on another American in Emina Bektas.

Some other notable first-round draws include a clash of Grand Slam champions as Victoria Azarenka faces Sloane Stephens, while British wildcard Emma Raducanu is up against Russian 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. AFP, REUTERS