Wimbledon is one of tennis’ greatest spectacles but there’s a chance that none of the ‘Big Three’ will play this year.
The hailed trio of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are eyed as some of the best players in the history of the sport.
Between them, they have won an incredible 66 Grand Slam titles, with 17 of those coming at Wimbledon from 2003 to 2022.
However, Nadal’s latest decision could see a 26-year record come to an unfortunate end this summer in south west London.
For the first time since 1998, there is a chance that not one of the ‘Big Three’ will feature in the main draw at the tournament.
Nadal has revealed that he will skip Wimbledon in 2024 to prepare for the Paris Olympics where he will partner Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s doubles.
Roland Garros will host the tennis at the games, a place where Nadal has won a record 14 French Open titles during his career.
And with the court being on clay rather than grass at Wimbledon, he said: “We believe that the best for my body is not to change surface.”
Federer’s absence is already a given considering he retired in 2022, with the Swiss legend an eight-time winner on the iconic grass court.
Although he wasn’t in the main draw in 1998, he still tasted success as he won the Boys Singles trophy that year.
The trio’s last remaining contender to feature this year is Djokovic, but major doubts have been cast over his participation as well.
After a thrilling five-set fourth round win over Francisco Cerundolo at the French Open earlier this month, he withdrew due to injury.
Djokovic suffered a meniscus tear and was recently spotted with crutches after undergoing surgery, with recovery time said to be at three to four weeks.
And with Wimbledon commencing on July 1, there is a strong chance that the seven-time winner will not play this summer.
Whilst the potential for all three of the legendary trio to be absent will come as sad news for fans, it will spell the chance for the current and new crop of winners to stake their claim.
Reigning champion Alcaraz will arrive as one of the heavy favourites, especially off the back of his recent French Open victory.
World no.1 and Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner, who reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon last year, will also be tipped to go far.