Aryna Sabalenka is the probable favourite for Wimbledon glory but there is room for new faces to go deep in the women’s draw, according to former British No.1 Laura Robson.
Sabalenka, who is the current world No.1, heads into the grass swing eager to make up for her defeat in the French Open final to Coco Gauff. During the clash, Sabalenka struggled to maintain her consistency in the conditions and ended up producing 70 unforced errors. Then afterwards, she criticised her performance whilst speaking to the media.
The Belarusian has won 20 WTA titles during her career but none of those have been on the grass. The last time she reached a final on the surface was three years ago at the Rosmalen Open in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, at Wimbledon, she has made it through to the semifinals in her last two appearances.
Sabalenka’s lack of silverware on the surface hasn’t stopped Robson from believing she is the one to beat at SW19. Robson, who is a former top 30 player and Olympic silver medalist in mixed doubles, is currently working as the tournament director at this week’s HSBC Championships in London.
“I don’t know who is favourite in the women’s Wimbledon event. I would probably say Sabalenka because she’s done well there in the past but for Coco, it’s been a surface which hasn’t quite given her the results that the other Slams have,” Robson told Sky Sports Tennis.
As for Gauff, the Brit points out that she is yet to have a ‘standout’ result. Gauff made her Grand Slam main draw debut at Wimbledon in 2019 but it is the only major where she has failed to go beyond the fourth round so far in her career.
“Even though Gauff has made the fourth round three times, there’s not been that standout result, I’d say, so I think that leaves it quite open for some new faces to come in,” she commented.
As for other names to look out for, Madison Keys has been brought into the mix. The American won her maiden major title in January at the Australian Open and is a strong player on the grass. She has won two Premier titles and one WTA 500 title on the grass.
“I kind of think what would have happened last year had she not pulled up with an injury in the fourth round at Wimbledon so there’s definitely a chance for loads of different people,” Robson said of Keys.
The Wimbledon championships will get underway on June 30th.
