2017 Wimbledon Bracket Update: Men’s Meltdown

The 2017 Wimbledon bracket is a messy sort of thing after several top men’s players fell this week.

You’d expect to see Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, and especially Andy Murray playing on in London. Unfortunately for them, none will be the Wimbledon champion this year. Meanwhile, on the ladies’ side, the top five seeds are all gone, but the British have hope of a victory on their own grass.

2017 Wimbledon Bracket Update: Men’s Singles

Since the last update in the men’s singles draw, there has been major upheaval. Both Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray went down on the same day, and injury played a role in both. In the case of Murray, his loss led to the rise of America’s own Sam Querrey. American tennis lacks a dominant male figure. Not since the days of Andre Agassi (or maybe Andy Roddick) has there been a consistent top player. On the women’s side, it was Serena Williams until getting pregnant, but this is Querrey’s best chance to break through on the international stage. That he got there against a hobbled superstar is only partially relevant.

As for Djokovic, he retired in the second set against Tomas Berdych. Since winning consecutive Wimbledon titles in 2014 and 2015, Djokovic went out in the third round last year, and the quarters this year. The question now becomes what Djokovic will do about his nagging injuries. Could there be down time coming for one of the world’s top players?

Earlier this week, Rafael Nadal also lost his match to Gilles Muller of Luxembourg. That fifth set went 15-13 in epic fashion.

The most notable men’s player remaining, by far, is Roger Federer. He is to tennis what Jack Nicklaus was to golf. Even as a middle-aged man, he’s still contending seriously for major championships.