Predictor Picks: Why Fritz & De Minaur may be better picks than Sinner & Djokovic
The grass-court season hits its high point at Wimbledon, where the world’s best players can earn as many as 2,000 PIF ATP Rankings points.
One year ago, Carlos Alcaraz won the title in a thrilling final against Novak Djokovic, and current World No. 1 Jannik Sinner reached the semi-finals. Alcaraz (2,000), Djokovic (1,200) and Sinner (720) are defending a big chunk of points, which does not make them ideal selections for the PIF ATP Rankings Predictor.
Who could be good choices for your team? ATPTour.com takes a look at three players to consider.
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Casper Ruud — dropping 45 points
The Norwegian star will be the first to tell you grass is not his favourite surface. The 25-year-old has only played 10 tour-level matches on the surface in his career.
But Ruud enters The Championships with the most wins of anyone on the ATP Tour this year (39) according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. With only 45 points to defend, he has plenty of net points to gain. If he could oust qualifier Alex Bolt, a grass-court standout, in the first round, his path could open.
The first seeded opponent in eighth seed Ruud’s path is 31st seed Mariano Navone, who has never previously competed in a Wimbledon main draw.
[ATP APP]Alex de Minaur — dropping 45 points
Few competitors in professional tennis are as tough to beat match in and match out as De Minaur. The Australian not only brings an indefatigable fighting spirit to the court, but his top-tier speed also forces opponents to make extra balls. That could prove especially valuable at Wimbledon, where De Minaur is the ninth seed.
In 2022, he made the fourth round at the event and the Aussie has also claimed two of his nine ATP Tour titles on grass. Opening against lucky loser James Duckworth, the 25-year-old will try to outperform his second-round showing from 2023.
Taylor Fritz — dropping 45 points
Fritz owns one of the biggest serves in the sport and loves playing aggressively, which makes him a dangerous opponent on grass. That has shown in his results on the surface, on which he has claimed two titles (both in Eastbourne). Fritz can add another Saturday when he plays for the trophy again at the Rothesay International.
Two years ago, Fritz made the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and Rafael Nadal needed a final-set tie-break against him to advance. The American will be hungry to make it back to that stage or even deeper at SW19.
Bonus Ball — Taylor Fritz
Of the three players featured in this edition of PIF ATP Rankings Predictor Picks, Fritz might be the most dangerous at The Championships. When at his best, the American can control play against nearly anyone on the ATP Tour.
Fritz showed good form to begin the grass-court season at Queen’s Club, where he made the quarter-finals. With his run to the championship match at Eastbourne, win or lose, the 26-year-old will arrive in London with plenty of confidence. The 13th seed will begin his tournament against Aussie Christopher O’Connell.
Double the points you earn for picking Fritz by placing your ‘Bonus Ball’ on the in-form American.
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