Tennis legend proposes radical Grand Slam refresh amid rash of Wimbledon withdrawals

Former British number one John Lloyd has warned that the growing list of injury withdrawals ahead of Wimbledon is a sign of things to come.

Carlos Alcaraz heads up a list of 13 players who have already pulled out of the south-west London major, which starts on 29 June.

The world number two, a two-time Wimbledon champion, is unable to compete at the All England club because of a wrist injury. Rival Jannik Sinner is the favourite to retain his Wimbledon title in the Spaniard's absence.

Danish player Holger Rune and Reilly Opelka of the United States have also elected not to play at SW19 due to injury.

Lloyd, who ranked as high as number 23 in the world during his playing career and reached the final of the Australian Open in 1977, has called for the sport to adapt to the intensifying challenge.

"It’s going to get worse," predicted Lloyd in an interview with Tennis365.

"Tennis is one of the most rigorous sports there is. There’s a break at the end of the year, but it’s really for six weeks maximum.

"You get the six weeks off, and people say that’s a long time, but it isn’t.

"You take two weeks off to kind of recharge, and even then, you’re still on empty, and then you’ve got to start preparing, not just for a tournament like Queen’s, you’ve got to prepare for a major!"

Match length also plays a part.

It might seem logical that the superior athletes of 2026 are more able to handle five sets than players of the past, but Lloyd points out that the exertion of the modern player makes means the comparison is not so straightforward.

"They’re animals – and I mean that in the best way," said Lloyd. "But they are going to break down, and it will happen more and more.

"Best-of-five in my day is the same as best-of-three now, in terms of what they do with their bodies and the physicality."

Lloyd believes tennis needs to get serious about injury withdrawals

Far from offering problems without solutions, Lloyd outlined some changes that might help to alleviate the issue.

"An ideal world – which will never happen – is that they move the Australian Open to March, but it’ll never happen," said the former British number one.

"But at least the better compromise is they make the Grand Slams best of three [sets].

"It’s not the physicality of the matches at the Slams, although that is extreme. In my opinion, it’s the preparation. That’s where the body breaks down."