We're just days away from the apex of the tennis season. Wimbledon breeds not only great players and terrific matches, but top-notch storylines as well.
Former world No. 28 and ESPN analyst Patrick McEnroe weighed in with his 10 top things to watch at Wimbledon:
1. Djokovic won't experience a letdown
Now that Novak Djokovic has finally slayed the Roland Garros dragon, he sets his sights on the lawns of the All England Club, where he has reigned supreme three times in his career, including the past two. Something tells me that now that he has completed his own personal Grand Slam, he will be even tougher to beat this year -- at Wimbledon or anywhere else for that matter. And this from a guy who has already won the past four majors. That's a pretty ominous thought for the rest of the field.
2. Serena still the favorite -- for now
Serena Williams still holds the No. 1 ranking, but her grip is a bit more precarious than at this time a year ago. She's had a solid year when you looks at her win-loss record, but her defeats in the finals of the Australian and French Opens have temporality thwarted her quest to tie Steffi Graf with 22 major titles. The grass at Wimbledon will bring out Serena's A-game, and we all know what that means.
3. Murray's new (and former) partner-in-crime will make a difference
Andy Murray comes into the Championships sky high after a very impressive clay-court season, which culminated in his first-ever run to the French Open final. To boot, Murray brought Ivan Lendl back into the fold and went on the win his fifth career Queen's Club title immediately afterward. Murray won his only two majors (2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon) with Lendl in his camp. I'd be surprised if Murray is not playing on the final Sunday.
4. Federer has questions aplenty to answer
Roger Federer has been fighting through significant injuries for the first time in his career, and if he cannot get himself right in time to make a significant run at the site of his greatest triumphs, the whispers of his demise will turn into full-blown conversations. Hard to believe, but it's been four years since Federer last won a Slam.
5. 2016 Grand Slam champs looking for more
Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza head to Wimbledon as the two women to have won majors this year -- both beating Serena in the final to claim their maiden title. Kerber has had erratic results since her win at the Australian Open, while Muguruza seems primed to take over the No. 1 spot in the not-too-distant future; the only real question is when. It will happen within the next 12 months -- but not quite yet.
6. Expect the unexpected, once in a while
It's always fun to speculate on who could possibly break thorough and make a deep run at Wimbledon. Sabine Lisicki and Jerzy Janowicz come to mind recently. Perhaps an established player like Kei Nishikori will surprise us, although he doesn't thrive on grass and has struggled against top 10 players this season (1-7). On the women's side, Agnieszka Radwanska enjoys the slick grass and was a finalist at Wimbledon in 2012. She's made five semifinals (or better) this season.
7. ATP young guns poised to break out
Dominic Thiem has quickly established himself as a top-10 player, winning titles on multiple surfaces. He looks poised, confident and athletic enough to be a big-time factor, not just in the future, but now. The strapping German teenager Alexander Zverev may even have more upside with his 6-foot-6 frame and weaponry from every part of the court. I'd go with Thiem to be a bigger factor this year, but in the long term, Zverev might very well be the next top-ranked player.
8. Keys leads group of top WTA prospects
Madison Keys certainly has the required firepower to make a big run after her impressive win in Birmingham, which propelled her into the top 10 for the first time. The question is does she have the flexibility and athleticism to win it all. Belinda Bencic, though dealing with some recent injuries, also has a game well-suited for the grass with impeccable timing and clean ball-striking. The question for her is does she have enough weapons to go the distance.
9. New "supercoaches" hoping to lead their charges
Milos Raonic owns one of the most lethal serves in the game and was a Wimbledon semifinalist two years ago. Still, the Canadian has not broken through and is just 6-13 against top 10 players the past two years. He's hired my brother, John, to work with him through at least Wimbledon. Raonic also works with 1998 French Open champ Carlos Moya. Two-time major winner Stan Wawrinka hooked up with former Wimbledon champ Richard Krajicek to guide the Swiss through the grass season. How much of a difference will these coaches make? I expect big things from both Raonic and Wawrinka.
10. Don't count out Venus
Venus Williams returned to the top 10 at the end of last season (for the first time since 2011) and hasn't left. She's a five-time Wimbledon champion. At 36 years old, she's moving like a much younger player. She not only wants to play well at this event, but also to build momentum heading into the Rio Olympics.