Perhaps the biggest shock in Wimbledon history came in 1994, when unseeded Lori McNeil became the first player in the Open Era to defeat a defending major champion in the opening round, as she beat the great Steffi Graf in straight sets. At that time, the German had won three consecutive titles at the All England Club.

The veteran saw off the current world number one at Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023, and almost always makes a deep run at Grand Slams. In January he defeated Alcaraz in the last eight in Australia before injury made him withdraw in the semis, while he also reached the last four in Paris a month ago, losing to Sinner.