As summer deepens and grass grows lush, the Wimbledon Championships make a triumphant return after a year’s absence. As one of the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, nearly 150 years in the making, Wimbledon has seen the evolution and glory of the sport. Once again, the world’s tennis elite converge on southwest London, with several ASICS ambassadors returning to the All England Club, armed with hope and determination.
Novak Djokovic, ASICS Tennis Ambassador
Novak Djokovic, an ASICS Tennis ambassador, enters the men’s singles competition as the second seed, embarking on his 19th Wimbledon journey. After a disappointing early exit from the French Open due to a knee injury, the Serbian superstar underwent surgery in Paris, aiming to be fit for Wimbledon and the Olympics. Delightfully, Djokovic’s recovery has been smooth, and in a recent interview, he stated that he would only compete when close to his peak form. This signals his intent to chase the title with unwavering belief, targeting his 25th Grand Slam championship.
Alex de Minaur, ASICS Tennis Ambassador
Alex de Minaur, another ASICS Tennis ambassador, continues his winning streak on grass. The Australian number one claimed his ninth ATP title at the recent grass court tournament in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, defeating the likes of Milos Raonic, Ugo Humbert, and Jenson Brooksby. His victory, coupled with his girlfriend Ajla Tomljanović’s concurrent title win, created a romantic story in tennis. De Minaur will make his sixth appearance at Wimbledon, where his best performance was reaching the round of 16 in 2022. As he competes as a top-10 seed for the first time at a grass Grand Slam, the 25-year-old aims for new milestones.
Matteo Berrettini, ASICS Tennis Ambassador
Matteo Berrettini returned to action on grass after a series of injuries kept him out of several clay events, including Roland Garros. The Italian star, known for his prowess on grass, made a strong comeback by reaching the final in his first tournament back, the ATP Stuttgart Open, where he defeated the likes of Denis Shapovalov and Jannik Sinner before losing to Brit Cameron Norrie. With half of his eight career titles coming on grass, including a 2021 Wimbledon final appearance where he was runner-up to Djokovic, Berrettini could be a dangerous “seed bomb” with his current form.
Paula Badosa, ASICS Tennis Ambassador
Paula Badosa, an ASICS Tennis ambassador, will play her first Grand Slam as a top-eight seed at this year’s Wimbledon. Following her stunning run to the French Open final as a dark horse, the Italian chose to rest rather than compete immediately, preparing for Wimbledon at the WTA 500 Eastbourne event. This will be Badosa’s fourth Wimbledon appearance, and despite being eliminated in the first round in the last three years, her impressive performances in majors this year suggest she might break through on the grass.
Ons Jabeur, ASICS Tennis Ambassador
Ons Jabeur is recognized as a “grass expert,” with title wins at Birmingham and Berlin, and consecutive appearances in the Wimbledon final in the past two years. The Tunisian’s versatile playing style stands out in the power-driven women’s game, combining deft touch with explosive shots that thrive on grass. Having come close to victory in the previous two finals, losing to Aryna Sabalenka and Barbora Krejcikova, Jabeur will likely approach this year’s tournament with a more refined mental approach.
Sara Sorribes Tormo, ASICS Tennis Ambassador
Sara Sorribes Tormo embarks on her fifth Wimbledon campaign. Despite a lackluster season so far, which saw the Brazilian’s ranking drop from No. 11 at the start of the year to No. 20, she possesses considerable grass-court prowess. In 2022, she became the first woman to win back-to-back titles in Nottingham and Birmingham, and reached the round of 16 at Wimbledon, her best result at a grass Grand Slam. As the Spanish left-hander once said, tennis is a marathon, not a sprint, and her moment may yet come.
Zhang Shuai, ASICS Tennis Ambassador
ASICS Tennis ambassador Zhang Shuai competes in both singles and doubles at this year’s Wimbledon, marking her first singles appearance at a major this season. As her fitness and form improve, the 35-year-old hopes for a long-awaited singles victory on grass. She also teams up with Japanese star Misaki Doi in doubles, having reached the final at Birmingham last week, showcasing their competitive edge. A veteran of almost 20 years on the pro circuit, Zhang Shuai remains a dream-chaser, and we look forward to her surprises at Wimbledon.
The 2024 Wimbledon Championships will commence its main draw on July 1st to 14th. More than just a British summer tradition and cultural symbol, it’s a global celebration for tennis enthusiasts. As anticipation builds, let us eagerly await the arrival of another edition of Wimbledon.
(Written and edited by Wang Fei)