Are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Emma Raducanu playing at Wimbledon this year?

Over the last 20 years, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams have been three of the biggest names to play at the Grand Slam.

But this year things look a little different.

It will be the first time since 1997 that neither Federer nor Williams are in the singles draws, while Nadal is also not featuring.

However, at least one of the trio will be at Wimbledon for a “special” moment this year – and another was invited but couldn’t attend.

Roger Federer

But he will grace Centre Court on Tuesday for a special ceremony to celebrate his achievements.

Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton said: “I’m pleased to say that Roger will be with us tomorrow and we will have a special celebratory moment on Centre Court before play starts just to honour him as the man holding the most gentlemen’s singles titles here at Wimbledon.

“For those lucky enough to have a seat on Centre Court tomorrow I’d encourage them to get into their seats about 1.15pm and we’ll have a moment just to celebrate his achievements and to say thank you for all the memories.”

Federer last played Wimbledon in 2021 when he was beaten in the quarter-finals by Hubert Hurkacz.

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is currently recovering from surgery that looks set to rule him out for most of the 2023 season.

Although he was recently in attendance at the Mallorca Championships to watch his fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez bow out of tennis, Nadal is not expected to be at Wimbledon.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon last year but had to withdraw before facing Nick Kyrgios due to injury.

He has won Wimbledon twice but looks likely to make his final appearance at the tournament next year.

“That is my idea but I can’t say 100 per cent it will be like this, but my idea and my motivation is to try to enjoy and say goodbye to all the tournaments that have been important for me.”

Serena Williams

Serena Williams has been one of the great Wimbledon players of the 21st century.

Williams lost in the first round on her final two appearances at Wimbledon as she sought a 24th major to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record.

Williams, who is pregnant with her second child, was in Europe last month to watch sister Venus’ grass return at the Libema Open in the Netherlands.

She was invited to Wimbledon like Federer, but could not attend.

“We invited Serena similarly this year but as you’ll know she’s pregnant so understandably couldn’t travel,” said Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton.

“We of course wish her lots of luck with the remainder of her pregnancy and we hope maybe we might see her next year.”

Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu made her Grand Slam breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2021 when she reached the fourth round as a wild card.

A few months later she won the US Open as a qualifier.

In the two years since Raducanu has battled injury issues, switched coaches several times, and struggled to show her very best on a consistent basis.

She said at the time she will be “out for the next few months” and will miss “the summer events”. It is not known if she will return for the US Open, which starts on August 28.

Raducanu will not lose a significant amount of points from not playing Wimbledon as she lost in the second round in 2022.

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