No Carlos Alcaraz, no free pass: Vijay Amritraj sees tough Wimbledon for Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner begins his Wimbledon title defense as the man to beat, but former Indian tennis star Vijay Amritraj believes the Italian will face no shortage of challenges despite the absence of Carlos Alcaraz. With the Spaniard ruled out of this year’s championship with a wrist injury, Sinner has become overwhelming favorite to retain the crown he won by defeating Alcaraz in last year’s final.

The victory not only gave the Italian his first Wimbledon title, but also made him the first Italian to win the singles crown at the All England Club. Sinner, the world number one, returns to London in pursuit of consecutive Wimbledon titles and a fifth Grand Slam crown. While Alcaraz’s withdrawal opened up the men’s draw, Amritraj insists success at SW19 is never guaranteed.

Wimbledon 2026 update on 1

“Winning Wimbledon requires seven wins against the best players, regardless of who is in the draw. The grass surface takes some getting used to, even if it is different from what it used to be. The adjustment period is real; players need a match or two to get their footwork right and read the bounce,” Amritraj said while speaking at the JioStar Media Day.

CROWN GATE UNDER PRESSURE

Although Sinner arrives with the confidence of a defending champion, Amritraj said the added pressure of defending a Grand Slam title could be as challenging as his maiden victory.

“As for Sinner, he is the defending champion and one of the best players in the world. He has the game to go all out. Even without Alcaraz, it still wouldn’t be easy. He will have to beat whoever is in front of him.”

The Italian has established himself as one of the most consistent players on the ATP Tour over the past two seasons, reaching multiple Grand Slam finals and cementing his place among the game’s elite. However, Wimbledon remains one of the most difficult majors to conquer, with the fast-changing nature of the grass only rewarding those who can adapt quickly and maintain their level over seven matches.

WIMBLEDON OFFERS NO SHORTCUTS

Amritraj believes the opening week of Wimbledon is often the most dangerous, with players still adjusting to the unique grass conditions.

“The opening rounds are always tricky. Conditions like the heat, the bounce and the thickness of the grass can all play a part. That’s why we often see upsets in the first week, just like we saw in Paris.”

Amritraj also feels that Alcaraz’s absence will soon take a back seat as the tournament gathers momentum.

“A draw is always unpredictable and the pressure on the defending champions adds weight. By the time the second week begins, the tournament will be in full swing and the focus will shift to who is still standing,” he added.

While Sinner’s biggest rival may not be in the draw, Amritraj believes Wimbledon remains the ultimate test. For the defending champions, lifting the trophy again will still require navigating one of the deepest fields in men’s tennis, proving that even without Alcaraz, there are no free passes at the All England Club.

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Published on:

29 Jun 2026 20:31 IST