Wimbledon | A lot of attention for the absent

(Wimbledon) At least before a ball is hit, this edition of Wimbledon has more focus on who’s out, rather than who’s there.

And this, even taking into account the fact that Serena Williams returns to the game in singles, after a year of absence.

1-ranked Daniil Medvedev has been kicked out of the All England Club, along with all other players from Russia and Belarus, because of the war in Ukraine.

Favorite three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic summed it up like this: “It’s really hard to tell what’s okay and what’s not. »

“As a child of war in the 90s, I know what it is to be in the position [des Ukrainiens] “, said the 35-year-old Serb, who will start the activities on Monday against Soonwoo Kwon.

“On the other hand, I can’t say that I fully agree with banning Russian and Belarusian players. »

Djokovic is looking for a 21^e Grand Slam trophy. As it stands, he won’t be able to play in New York in August, not being vaccinated against the coronavirus. And he does not intend to become one.

“It’s an additional motivation to do well here,” he added.

Following the banning of some players, both professional tours withdrew their Wimbledon ranking points.

The tournament still retains its cachet with the grass, its longstanding traditions and, it must be said, its tens of millions in prizes.

“It’s hard to swallow that there are no points. I’m not going to tell you I’m happy about it, but it’s out of our control, said Frances Tiafoe, seeded number 24^e.

Defending champion Ashleigh Barty retired in March, aged 25.

Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer recovers from another round of knee surgery; he hasn’t played in a tournament since Wimbledon last year.

Alexander Zverev, ranked No. 2, is ruled out after tearing ligaments in his right ankle at Roland-Garros.

For the first time ever, there will be no rest day on the first Sunday; so there will be matches for 14 days, not 13.

The crowds will be back, following pandemic restrictions last year and the cancellation of the tournament in 2020.

It is also the centenary of the Center Court, inaugurated in 1922.

Roland-Garros champion and the highest ranked player in the WTA, Iga Swiatek arrives having won 35 matches in a row.

Crowned seven times at the All England Club (and 23 Grand Slams), guest Williams most recently played singles in June 2021, when she slipped on center court and injured her hamstring. right leg. She had to retire in the first set, in the first round.

Rafael Nadal, big winner in Australia and at Roland-Garros this year, suffers from chronic pain in his left foot. This left the 36-year-old Spaniard wondering if he could be at the tournament or even keep playing, period.

“I can walk normally most days, almost every day. That’s the main thing, Nadal said. When I wake up, I no longer have this pain that I had for a year and a half. I’m very happy about it. »