Jannik Sinner begins his Wimbledon title defence as the man to beat, but former India tennis star Vijay Amritraj believes the Italian will face no shortage of challenges despite the absence of Carlos Alcaraz. With the Spaniard ruled out of this year’s Championships because of a wrist injury, Sinner has emerged as the overwhelming favourite to retain the crown he won by defeating Alcaraz in last year’s final.
The victory not only earned the Italian his maiden Wimbledon title but also made him the first Italian man to win the singles crown at the All England Club. Sinner, the world No.1, returns to London chasing back-to-back Wimbledon titles and a fifth Grand Slam crown. While Alcaraz’s withdrawal has opened up the men’s draw, Amritraj insists success at SW19 is never guaranteed.
“Winning Wimbledon requires seven wins against top players, no matter who is in the draw. The grass surface takes getting used to, even though it’s different from what it used to be. The adjustment period is real; players need a match or two to get their footwork right and read the bounce,” Amritraj said while speaking on JioStar Media Day.
DEFENDING THE CROWN UNDER PRESSURE
Although Sinner arrives with the confidence of a defending champion, Amritraj said the added pressure of protecting a Grand Slam title can be just as demanding as winning it for the first time.
“As for Sinner, he is the defending champion and one of the best players in the world. He has the game to go all the way. Even with the absence of Alcaraz, it would still not be easy. He will have to beat whoever is in front of him.”
The Italian has established himself as one of the most consistent players on the ATP Tour over the past two seasons, reaching multiple Grand Slam finals and cementing his place among the game’s elite. However, Wimbledon remains one of the toughest majors to conquer, with the fast-changing nature of grass rewarding only those who can quickly adapt and sustain their level across seven matches.
WIMBLEDON OFFERS NO SHORTCUTS
Amritraj believes the opening week of Wimbledon is often the most dangerous, with players still adapting to the unique conditions on grass.
“Early rounds are always tricky. Conditions like heat, bounce, and the thickness of the grass can all play a part. That is why we often see upsets in the first week, just like we saw in Paris.”
Amritraj also feels Alcaraz’s absence will soon fade into the background as the tournament gathers momentum.
“The draw is always unpredictable, and the pressure of being the defending champion adds its own weight. By the time the second week begins, the tournament will be in full flow, and the focus will shift to whoever is still standing,” he added.
While Sinner’s biggest rival may not be in the draw, Amritraj believes Wimbledon remains the ultimate examination. For the defending champion, lifting the trophy again will still require navigating one of the deepest fields in men’s tennis, proving that even without Alcaraz, there are no free passes at the All England Club.
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