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Despite the hiccup of human error in recording the draw for the Ladies Singles at Wimbledon on Friday, order was quickly restored, and players now know who they will play in the 1st-round. Last year’s result was pretty nice. I feel, like, every year it’s easier for me to adapt to grass. I deeply believe that the best players, they can play on all surfaces. I want to, kind of, become that kind of player, who can play well on grass, as well, and feel comfortable there. The world’s big guns, alongside their challengers and qualifiers, number 128 hopeful of getting their hands on the coveted Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday, 13 July. That’s a long way off, and the next Wimbledon champion must weather 7 rounds of matches in the meantime, some starting on Monday. |
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The favourite is World No 1 Iga Swiatek who faces a blockbuster path to her potential first Wimbledon triumph, but she has yet to play on grass this year. Nevertheless, Swiatek has stoked hopes that she might become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to earn a ‘Channel Slam’, a feat that is within reach of any player who wins in Paris and can match it with the Wimbledon title. “For sure it’s a huge challenge,” said Swiatek in Paris about competing at Wimbledon. “If I would lose here earlier, maybe I would be able to play two more weeks on grass, and then be a better grass-court player, but if I [have to] choose, I love playing on clay, so, I’m not going to give up that. Ever.” Last year, the Pole battled into the quarter-finals, where she was beaten in 3 high-quality sets by a resurgent Elina Svitolina. “Last year’s result was pretty nice,” Swiatek said of that run during the clay swing this year. “I feel, like, every year it’s easier for me to adapt to grass. I deeply believe that the best players, they can play on all surfaces. I want to, kind of, become that kind of player, who can play well on grass, as well, and feel comfortable there.” |
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The No 1 seed is currently on a 19-match winning streak after claiming her 4th Roland Garros title, and she opens her account at Wimbledon against 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, whom she toppled in the Paris final that same season, as well as in the 1st-round of this year’s Australian Open. Wimbledon’s 2018 champion Angelique Kerber takes on recent Birmingham winner Yulia Putintseva at the first hurdle, and the winner could meet Swiatek in the 3rd-round. Jelena Ostapenko could be Iga Swiatek’s biggest challenge in the Last 16, since the Latvian holds a 4-0 record over the Pole. |
