By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, June 25, 2016
"I feel there are a lot of title contenders," said Nick Kyrgios of the Wimbledon field.
Photo credit: Wimbledon/AELTC
London's Underground message—"mind the gap"—reminds riders of short distance danger.
Novak Djokovic continues speed through major draws widening the gap on his pursuers.
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Continuing his quest to become the first man in 47 years to complete the calendar Grand Slam, the world No. 1 will open Wimbledon against Briton James Ward, the son of a London cab driver, while holding an astounding 8,035-point ranking lead over his closest rival, London resident Andy Murray
The world No. 2 is the last man to beat Djokovic at Wimbledon, posting a 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 victory in the 2013 final.
A streaking Djokovic is playing for his 13th Grand Slam championship and for a place in history as the first man since Don Budge in 1938 to win five consecutive major titles.
As the last man to beat Djokovic in last month's Rome final, Murray sees a clear reason for Djokovic's dominance: His greatest strength is he has no weakness and can produce good tennis even when he's feeling bad.
"Obviously, he plays every shot well. He doesn't have weaknesses in his game," Murray said of Djokovic. "He does everything well. Plays well on all of the courts.
"In an individual sport, if you have a really bad day, wake up, you feel terrible, you lose at this level. He hasn't had really any of those results or those matches over the last few years. That's very impressive."
Djokovic dropped just two sets in seven matches winning Roland Garros to complete the career Grand Slam, which may well empower him for Wimbledon.
So who are the most likely candidates to win Wimbledon if Djokovic falters?
Oddsmakers list Murray, seven-time champion Roger Federer, former semifinalist Milos Raonic and the volatile Nick Kyrgios as the top contenders after Djokovic.
If there is a common thread connecting the men who upset Djokovic this season, it's that all served with ambition and had some success moving forward and dragging him off the baseline at key moments.
Spanish left-hander Feliciano Lopez snapped Djokovic's streak of 17 straight finals, winning their Dubai quarterfinal as Djokovic retired with an eye infection after dropping the opening set.
Another left-hander, former junior world No. 1 Jiri Vesely, varied the speeds and spins of his serve and outdueled Djokovic in several touch net exchanges, winning 16 of 23 net points to snap the top seed's 14-match winning streak in Monte Carlo.
Asked if he considers himself a title contender, Kyrgios, who upset Rafael Nadal en route to the 2014 Wimbledon quarterfinals, said there are "a lot of title contenders" if Djokovic falls.
"I mean, I made quarterfinals two years ago," Kyrgios said. "I feel as if that run, I didn't really expect anything at all. But I feel confident in my game. I feel like I'm getting better. But there's so many players at the moment that can make deep runs. (David) Goffin, (Dominic) Thiem. Especially on grass as well, there's so many guys that can serve big, play big. If the stars align, they can do well.
"I feel there are a lot of title contenders. Say Djokovic loses in the fourth round, I don't know, he was down two sets to love against (Kevin) Anderson last year. If something like that happens, there's plenty of people who can have their eye on the trophy this year."
The 15th-seeded Kyrgios faces a brutal draw. He opens with veteran wild card Radek Stepanek, who has helped Kyrgios out on the practice court and knows his game well, followed by potential matches with Dustin Brown, Lopez and a possible fourth-round clash with Murray, whom Kyrgios has never beaten.
Asked who has the best shot to derail Djokovic's run to a third consecutive Wimbledon crown, Kei Nishikori, who beat the Serbian in the 2014 US Open semifinals, points to a former champion and returning semifinalist as threats.
"Well, I think (Djokovic can be beaten). Especially Andy (Murray), he's playing really well," Nishikori said. "Also you see Milos Raonic, couple young guys doing really well, too.
"Obviously he's great player, No. 1 player right now, so not easy to beat Novak. But I think we getting closer to him."