Several big names will head to Wimbledon looking to win the title later this month, none more so than two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
In 2024, Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final 6-2, 6-2, 7-6, retaining the title he won one year earlier.
Djokovic, a seven-time winner at the All-England Club, will no doubt be out for revenge in 2025, as he looks to clinch a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
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He won’t be the only player out for revenge, as Jannik Sinner searches for his first Wimbledon title, having recently lost to Alcaraz in heartbreaking fashion at Roland Garros.
It’s fair to say Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic will head to London as favorites, but that’s not to say they’re the only players who can cause problems on the grass.
Reacting to his second-round win at the Queen’s Club Championships, Andy Roddick named the ATP star who he thinks could be a dark horse at SW19.
Andy Roddick warns fans not to ‘sleep on’ Brandon Nakashima at Wimbledon
During the Tennis Channel Live podcast, former world number one Roddick previewed American hopes at Wimbledon.
“Those are three [Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul] we’re kind of guessing between, you know, Fritz, Shelton,” he said.
“But I’ll tell you, remember who Nick Kyrgios has beaten in five sets before when he made the Wimbledon final in, I don’t know if it was the round of 16 or the quarters, and who’s still playing well: Brandon Nakashima.
“Don’t sleep on him. I don’t think anyone wants to see him early in that tournament. His game translates really well to grass.”
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Nakashima enjoyed a strong run to the fourth round of Wimbledon three years ago, where he came face to face with Australian star Kyrgios.
- 2022 Wimbledon 1R – Brandon Nakashima beat Nicola Kuhn, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2
- 2022 Wimbledon 2R – Brandon Nakashima beat Denis Shapovalov, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6
- 2022 Wimbledon 3R – Brandon Nakashima beat Daniel Galan, 6-4, 6-4, 6-1
Failing in his bid to reach the quarterfinals, Nakashima lost to Kyrgios in a deciding fifth set, as the Aussie continued on, qualifying for his maiden Grand Slam final.
Looking to make another deep run at Wimbledon this time around, Nakashima has made a solid start to his grass-court season.
The American fought back from a set down to beat Jacob Fearnley in his Stuttgart opener, and eased past his countryman Learner Tien in the second round.
He was beaten by Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, but quickly bounced back upon his return to action at Queen’s.
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Nakashima survived a tricky first-round match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard before taking down Britain’s Dan Evans in round two.
Making such a strong start, it’s no surprise Roddick believes Nakashima could make some noise at one of his favorite tournaments.
Is Wimbledon Brandon Nakashima’s best Grand Slam tournament?
The 23-year-old has yet to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal, but has produced several impressive performances at the Major tournaments during his career.
His record at the US Open is slightly better than it is at Wimbledon, having reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time in 2024.
Brandon Nakashima’s record at Grand Slam tournaments
Nakashima will be determined to make his presence felt at the All England Club later this month, having struggled at the year’s first two Grand Slam tournaments.
The world number 32 lost to Ben Shelton in the first round of January’s Australian Open in straight sets 6-7, 5-7, 5-7.
Suffering a second straight first-round exit at a Grand Slam, Nakashima was beaten by Mariano Navone at the French Open in four sets.
Searching for his first Grand Slam win of the year, Nakashima may well be one to look out for when Wimbledon begins on Monday, June 30.