WIMBLEDON, England—After the first round of Wimbledon 2022, neither Venus nor Serena Williams could be found in the women’s singles draw. For the first time since the 1990s, Roger Federer was not in the men’s draw.
The world’s No. 1 and No. 2-ranked players, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev are not here, either. (The latter is injured. The former is from Russia, a nation unwelcome at these championships because of the country’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to the ATP and WTA Tours withdrawing ranking points from the event. Top-ranked Iga Swiatek didn't last the week, as her 37-match winning streak was snapped in the third round. Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu are out, as well.
For all these absences, it has been a present Wimbledon. Defending champion Novak Djokovic might never be in better form to win. Ons Jabeur, tennis’ favorite indie band, carries on. So does Rafael Nadal, who has won the year’s previous two Slams. And the Nick Kyrgios show has been renewed to carry on into the second week.
