As the tennis world eagerly anticipates the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, the allure of the prestigious SW19 tournament’s unpredictability continues to captivate fans and whet their appetite for Centre Court before Rolland Garros has even begun.
The lightning-fast grass courts of the All England Club have long been a stage where expert knowledge, wisdom, and even the Wimbledon betting markets all come up short — think of Boris Becker’s explosive serve-and-volley masterclass in 1985 at just 17 years old, or Pat Cash’s athletic net-rushing triumph in 1987.
While the spotlight often shines on the top seeds, the depth of talent in the men’s draw suggests that several outsiders could make significant impacts, especially this year, when the door is wider open than many think.
Here, we assess some of the players who, despite not being amongst the favourites, possess the skills and grass-court pedigree, attacking weapons, and mental fortitude to potentially lift the iconic gold trophy come July.
Jack Draper – 10/1
Britain’s Jack Draper has been making waves on the ATP Tour, recently capturing his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells.
His powerful serve and aggressive baseline play are well-suited to grass courts, and with the home crowd’s support, Draper could channel the spirit of past British champions.
His upward trajectory and familiarity with Wimbledon’s unique pressures position him as a formidable contender.
Alexander Zverev – 16/1
World number two Alexander Zverev is a consistent presence in the latter stages of Grand Slams, bringing a wealth of experience to the grass courts of Wimbledon.
The towering German’s booming 140mph serve becomes an even deadlier weapon on Wimbledon’s slick surface, where his improved slice backhand now complements his powerful baseline game.
Despite reaching world No. 2, the 28-year-old still lacks a signature Grand Slam triumph. Even with 21 career titles and five Masters 1000 triumphs, Zverev remains tennis’s perpetual bridesmaid—always threatening at majors but never securing the bride’s bouquet.
But his enhanced first-serve percentage and growing comfort at the forecourt make him a legitimate threat to the established order at SW19.
Alex de Minaur – 33/1
Australia’s Alex de Minaur, known for his exceptional speed and tenacity, has steadily improved his performance on grass courts.
Known as the Demon, he has meticulously developed his serve placement to compensate for its lack of raw power, now consistently finding corners to set up his aggressive court positioning.
De Minaur’s improved transition game was evident in his Queen’s Club semifinal run in 2023, and his ability to neutralise big servers through chip returns and counterattacking tennis makes him tailor-made for Wimbledon’s unique challenges. He could well be a good dark horse to consider if he gets a nice run in, with many in the tennis odds overlooking his chances.
Daniil Medvedev – 33/1
Daniil Medvedev, a former world No. 1 and US Open champion, has shown flashes of brilliance on grass, despite it not being his preferred surface.
Even with his unorthodox technique, the Russian’s flat ball-striking and deep court positioning translate surprisingly well to grass when he commits to an aggressive mindset.
Medvedev’s distinctive cross-court backhand stays particularly low on Wimbledon’s surface, robbing opponents of time and angle.
The 29-year-old’s improved serve variance—particularly his wide slider in the deuce court—creates crucial free points, but he’ll need to bounce back quickly from recent disappointments in the Madrid Open and Italian Open, losing to Casper Ruud and Lorenzo Musetti respectively.
