Wimbledon 2023 men's contenders: Who are the emerging players to look out for?

Novak Djokovic will be aiming to extend his record number of Grand Slam titles to 24 when Wimbledon gets underway on July 3, but a new crop of players have shone in recent months to show they can be dark horses at the grasscourt major.

The 36-year-old Djokovic has in recent years dominated at the All England Club where he has won seven times, including the last four titles, while Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz is coming to terms with grass after conquering hardcourts and clay.

While several top seeds will have their say, the following are emerging players who could be serious contenders:

TAYLOR FRITZ (UNITED STATES)

World ranking: 8

Having lost five of his first six ATP finals, Fritz turned things around in March 2022 when he won the Indian Wells Masters despite being the 20th seed.

Out in the desert, Fritz showed signs that American tennis finally had a men's contender for Grand Slams after the golden era of Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick - the last American to win a major back in 2003.

Fritz, who reached a career high of world number five earlier this year, has won his last four ATP finals and has underlined his grasscourt credentials in the past having won the Eastbourne tune-up tournament twice in the last four years.

He has also reached six semi-finals this year and, while he did not convert them into finals appearances like in 2022, he said: "I'm seeing myself pretty deep in tournaments, consistently playing a lot better."

HOLGER RUNE (DENMARK)

World ranking: 6

Having burst onto the scene at the Paris Masters last year, Rune has been on an upward trajectory despite the 'bad boy' image he has cultivated in recent tournaments.

The fiery Dane stunned the tennis world when he got past five top-10 players en route to his