Much unlike at the French Open, Wimbledon is relatively wide open on the women’s side. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is dominant on clay and just recently captured her third Roland Garros title, but her grass-court resume is less than outstanding. In fact, Swiatek has never reached a final on grass and her best performance at Wimbledon is a fourth-round result.
As such, it should be an interesting fortnight at the All-England Club. Here are three players who could contend for the title.
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka and other Belarusians and Russians who were banned from Wimbledon in 2022 should be playing with a chip on her shoulder this summer. Of course, it’s not like Sabalenka needs anything extra to help her have success at this tournament. The 25-year-old is overall one of the best players in the world and arguably the best on grass. Elena Rybakina won Wimbledon last season, but what’s to say Sabalenka wouldn’t have if she had been able to play? She now arrives in London as a major champion (2023 Australian Open) and she may depart as a two-time slam champ–even though her draw is not a great one.
Petra Kvitova
Kvitova also finds herself in a rough bottom half of the bracket. The 33-year-old Czech could meet Karolina Pliskova in the third round, Rybakina in the quarterfinals, and Sabalenka in the semis. Nonetheless, Kvitova can handle anything that is thrown at her in SW19. She is already a two-time Wimbledon champion and as the reigning Miami Open winner it is clear that she is not slowing down. A recent title in Berlin confirmed that Kvitova remains one of the most dangerous grass-courters in the world.
Veronika Kudermetova
If you want to back a longshot, look toward the top half of the draw. Yes, Swiatek is there–but as mentioned before, Swiatek on grass isn’t Swiatek on clay. Outside of the top seed, the top half is very weak. Kudermetova is the one who could take advantage, as her grass-court summer is already highlighted by a runner-up showing in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and an upset of Sabalenka in Berlin. The 26-year-old Russian is without question a dark horse.
Iga stays at #1!!!😀
Ons looking very tense. Am worried for her.
Come on Ons!!!
Was right to be worried. She had so many chances to have a commanding lead and now seems to be falling apart…
Of all the 3 meltdowns in a GS final by Ons this was by far the worst😪
Every time she was up a break she choked.
It got to the stage that after she broke I was yelling out now she will make mistake s and get broken.
Heartbreaking Amy just heartbreaking 😢
Yes I agree Alison. Just horrible.
Feels like she is never going to win a slam after that..😪
Didn’t see the match and, judging by the comments I’ve read, wont bother.
Well done Marketa, she’s come through injury and disappointment and triumphed. She said it was an advantage being the “underdog” and it sure seemed this was the case
Poor Ons, the pressure was too much, perhaps all her energy went on defeating Ryb and Sabs? She should look to Andy for some inspiration, I refuse to think about the number of blooming slams he lost before wining his first. He was in tears after that loss to Fed at Wimbledon too, but kept knocking at that door.
It didn’t take him long to recover!
Gold medal and US Open in 2012 followed by Wimby
Im sad for Ons, happy for the cat lover though.
Good to see some credit for the winner even its so disappointing…
I had a strong feeling that Marketa Vondrousova would win the trophy(she has a 3-0 H2H record this year against Jabeur etc) but I just couldn’t phantom Ons Jabeur losing back to back Wimbledon finals, it just didn’t make sense and she is an amazing player too good to lose again.
O. Jabeur said this is the most heartbreaking loss of her career, I feel her pain not easy to come close twice and lose 😭 it would take lots of strength and encouragement to get back up.
Congrats to M. Vondrousova and wishing O. Jabeur the very best she will bounce back.
3-0 H2H this year but overall 4-3