Aerial view of Wimbledon. Photo credit: Wimbledon.
Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, takes place from Monday, July 3rd, until Sunday, July 16th. The historic tournament began in 1877, however, the Women’s Singles competition, was only added in 1884, and the Women’s Doubles competition, added in 1913.
Wimbledon, or officially known as ‘ The Championships’, is played at the All England Club, in London. The tournament is played on a grass surface, which typically suits big servers, and players who are efficient in moving up to the net. 128 women have successfully made it to the main draw, all hoping to take home the ‘Venus Rosewater Dish’.
As week one of Wimbledon commences this week, I take a look at three of the favourites, hoping to win the prestigious title.
WORLD NUMBER 1 – Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek has been World Number 1 for over a year now, and is likely the favourite to win Wimbledon, fresh off her recent victory in the French Open. The 22 year old Polish player has already won 14 career titles, of which three are French Open titles and one US open title.
Swiateks WTA tour breakthrough, came in 2020, when she was ranked 54th in the world, and took the French Open title. This victory meant Iga rose to 17th in the WTA Rankings.
The World No.1’s most valuable asset to her game, is her aggressiveness. She can hit winners from all over the court. Along with this offence, Swiatek also possesses a very strong defence, and has a habit of bagelling opponents, 6-0.
Swiatek has also worked with sport physiologist Daria Abramowicz, and credits her for her calmness and composure when she feels under pressure.
The Pole has a favourable path to the final, however she will face a tough test in the fourth round, where she can possible face World number 23 Magda Linette, or World number 14 Belinda Bencic.
Swiatek will be looking to overcome all these challengers and take her first ever Wimbledon title, back to Poland.
WORLD NUMBER 2 – Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka will also be looking to take home her first ever Wimbledon title. The 25 year old Belarusian has been in top form this year, winning her first ever major, at the Australian Open.
Recently, headlines surrounding Sabalenka have been mainly based on her stance on the Russian and Ukraninan War, however, Sabalenka has remained clear, that her focus is on her tennis. Sabalenka made her WTA Top 10 Debut in 2019, after winning three WTA tour titles, but ultimately struggled at the Grand Slam tournaments.
Sabalenka remained consistent throughout the 2019 and 2020 season, and hit a career high ranking of no.2 in 2021, after reaching the Wimbledon and US Open Semifinals.
The Belarusian struggled with her serve in 2022, but hit the ground running in 2023, winning Adelaide 1, and eventually winning her first Grand Slam, The Australian Open. Since her Grand Slam victory, Sabalenka has progressed to three WTA finals, but was defeated in all of them.
Sabalenka is a baseline player, hitting powerful shots from the back of the court, and often depending on her groundstrokes, to hit winners. Her serve is often inconsistent, which can ultimately result in multiple unforced errors. However, the 25 year old will be looking to continue her Grand Slam success this year, on one of her favourite surfaces to play on.
Sabalenka could possibly face World No. 16, Karolina Muchova, who defeated her in the French Open Semi-Finals, in the Fourth Round of Wimbledon, but she will be hoping to defeat her this time around, on her quest to her second ever Grand Slam singles title.
WORLD NUMBER 3 – Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina will be looking to retain her title, after winning Wimbledon in 2022. The 24 year old Khazak, only made her WTA Top 10 debut, in 2023, after no ranking points being awarded in Wimbledon 2022, as Russian and Belarusian athletes were banned from competing in the event.
Rybakina had never made it past the quarter finals at a Grand Slam event, until Wimbledon 2022, where she was ranked no.23, having previously collected points from her multiple WTA Tour finals. The Khazak was defeated in three sets, by World no. 2, Sabalenka, in the Australian Open Final. Rybakina then went on to defeat Sabalenka in the final, at the Indian Wells Masters, in March.
Rybakinas greatest strength is her serve. She is known for her capability to serve multiple aces, and finish the points as quickly as she can. Rybakina is also known for her ability to hit winners with her backhand and forehand. The 24 year old can also be admired for her calmness throughout her matches. The Khazak could face difficulty in round four, with potential opponents being World no.17 Jelena Ostapenko or World no. 13 Beatriz Hadad Maia.
Rybakina will be hoping for a repeat of her victory last year, but this time, with the ranking points.
✍️ The next generation watch and admire @Iga_Swiatek ☺️#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/CNgFcpMpCq
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2023
The top three are the favourites for the title of the oldest tournament in the World, however, tennis is an ever changing game, and anyone can could out on top with the title.
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