Shaken Sinner seeks Wimbledon reset as Djokovic, Zverev sniff opportunity

BENGALURU, June 26 : Defending champion Jannik Sinner returns to Wimbledon with his aura of invincibility dented after a dominant stretch, leaving the world number one to prove he can impose his game on grass and keep the challengers led by Novak Djokovic at bay.

Few would have doubted Sinner after an imperious run on clay before he unravelled due to physical problems at the French Open last month, raising fresh concerns about whether he can sustain that level when the pressure peaks at the Grand Slams.

The sport's fastest surface offers Sinner a chance to reset, though rivals will be watching closely for any signs of weakness after the 24-year-old skipped tune-up tournaments before the Grand Slam begins at the All England Club on Monday.

Despite the setback in Paris, where Sinner's 30-match win streak going back to February was snapped in the second round, seven-times Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander said he remains the man to beat in the absence of the injured Carlos Alcaraz.

GRASS CAN BE TRICKY, WILANDER SAYS

"It's just a physical issue," Wilander told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He played a lot in the two months leading up to Roland Garros with little recovery and little opportunity to train hard, so he found himself without energy.

"Now I see he is rested, so we will see him in great shape when he returns ... but at Roland Garros, I think that he had a better chance. Grass can always be tricky."

Perhaps no player looms larger over Sinner's title defence than Djokovic, whose movement and return on grass make him a top contender, and the Serb will gun for his eighth Wimbledon title to match Swiss great Roger Federer's record.

More significantly, Djokovic will also resume his bid for an elusive standalone 25th Grand Slam trophy,