Novak Djokovic

SO imperious was the Serb at the start of this season that it was widely assumed that he would collect all four of the Grand Slam titles on offer during 2015. A superhuman athlete who has eight majors already and has lost just three matches all season long – the latest of which came in the Roland Garros final to Stan Wawrinka – Djokovic is the reigning champion in SW19, a title he picked up with a five-set victory against Roger Federer 12 months back. Coming off an extended break, having declined to participate in any grass court tournaments in the build-up to the tournament.

Andy Murray

THE 28-year-old World No 3 from Dunblane is listed second favourite by the bookmakers and it is hard to quibble with that assessment. The draw doesn’t do him too many favours but the 2013 Wimbledon champion, who is coached by Amelie Mauresmo and Jonas Bjorkman, recently lifted the Queen’s Club trophy and has a better record (41 wins and six defeats) at this point of the year than at any point in his career to date. Has won both matches at this venue against long-term nemesis Djokovic. Faces Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan in the first round of a treacherous path.

Roger Federer

The Greatest Player of All Time has been permitted to win just one Grand Slam in the last five years, and that was at this venue three years back. Mind you, he already has 17 in his collection. The Swiss player, now 33, has modified his game style to keep the points shorter and it is a style which seems perfect for playing on grass. Feels another major win is overdue and reckons Wimbledon is his best chance to get it. Now with two sets of twins, the Swiss is on a semi-final collision course with the Scot should he make it beyond Rafa Nadal.

Rafael Nadal

THE Mallorcan trained with Andy Murray at the Wimbledon practice courts this week, little suspecting that a quarter-final match-up with the Scot could become a feature of the 2015 championships. Suffered from tendinitis in his knees and recently saw his reign as the king of clay ended in Paris, but the 29-year-old has 14 slams on his cv and has never lost to Murray at Wimbledon, winning comfortably on all three of the players’ previous meetings. Having said that, he will have to get there first, having failed to get past the fourth round here since 2011.

Stan Wawrinka

NOW ranked No 4 in the world and with two Grand Slams on his resume, the 30-year-old from Lausanne is a heavyweight contender to add the Wimbledon crown to his collection. Has only once made it to the quarter finals here, despite a power game should translate well enough to the grass courts. Failed early on against Kevin Anderson at Queen’s Club recently and his garish shorts may fall foul of the All England Club rules but Wawrinka has a nice spot in the draw and could be fated to meet Novak Djokovic again in the semi finals.