Nick Kyrgios claims there are four players capable of winning Wimbledon, including seven-time champion Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic thumped his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in straight sets to book his place in the fourth round of Wimbledon.
The 38-year-old is bidding to equal Roger Federer’s tally of eight titles at the All England Club and claim a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
Former British number one Tim Henman was impressed by Djokovic’s latest performance in SW19 and said he had sent a ‘statement’ to the rest of the field.
Kyrgios lost to Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final and believes his former rival is capable of triumphing yet again in this year’s Championships.
The Australian former world number 13 naturally views two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner as two others contenders for the trophy.
But perhaps more surprisingly, Kyrgios has named American fifth seed Taylor Fritz as another player capable of earning the crown of Wimbledon champion.
Fritz came close to winning his first Grand Slam at last year’s US Open – losing in the final to Sinner – and is excellent on grass, winning his fourth Eastbourne title in the run-up to Wimbledon.
The 27-year-old was involved in two gruelling five-setters in his first two rounds before beating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in four to set up a fourth-round meeting with Jordan Thompson.
Asked if it was possible to see a winner outside of Alcaraz, Sinner and Djokovic, Kyrgios told talkSPORT: ‘The way Taylor Fritz has been playing, it’s probably one of the hardest draws a seed has had.
‘He’s played three guys who are all very dangerous on grass. He’s come through that and is saying his body feels better and better so I honestly wouldn’t count him out.
‘Fritz can do some damage against those guys. Novak has at times looked incredible but the way Sinner and Alcaraz are playing and dialled in, it’s pretty tough to go past those two guys.’
Kyrgios named Sinner as his ‘standout player’ so far at Wimbledon after the Italian dropped just 17 games across his first three wins.
Djokovic sends ‘statement’ to Wimbledon rivals
Asked which areas of Novak Djokovic’s game impressed him after he cruised into the fourth round, Tim Henman said on BBC One: ‘It was all aspects of his game.
‘He was hitting his spots, dictating from the back of the court and he was able to hit so aggressively without making unforced errors.
‘He had one slight wobble at the end, serving for the match at 5-2 and lost it, but he still finished it off in three straight sets and I think he will be delighted with his progress to the fourth round.
‘Djokovic’s level was just absolutely phenomenal and that is when you realise that on grass he is one of the favourites.
‘At the age of 38, on the hard courts and clay courts it is getting harder and harder between Sinner, Alcaraz and the rest.
‘But the seven-time champion, when he puts in performances like today, then I think it is a statement to the rest of the draw.’
Sinner, a three-time Grand Slam champion bidding to win his maiden Wimbledon title, is yet to drop five games in a single set.
‘It’s hard to look past Jannik Sinner,’ Kyrgios said. ‘He looks really locked in and incredible.
‘He hasn’t lost more than four games in a single set. His form is concerning to the rest of the field. It’s hard not to see an Alcaraz-Sinner final.’
Kyrgios has also been impressed with Britain’s last remaining hope in the men’s draw, former Wimbledon semi-finalist Cameron Norrie.
Norrie, 29, dropped just two sets on his way to the fourth round of Wimbledon. Nicolas Jarry stands in his way of the quarter-finals.
‘Cam is a seasoned veteran now,’ Kyrgios added. ‘He’s solidified himself in the rankings and is pretty much always seeded at Grand Slams.
‘He’s had success here as well. The year I got to the final, he lost to Novak in the semis. He’s a tough competitor and the only male Brit still in.
‘He’s flying under the radar a bit and he’s just going to keep his head down and do all the right things. He’s definitely dangerous, who knows how far he can go with the draw opening up.’
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