Wimbledon 2021 Women’s Preview

With less than a week to go before the start of the Wimbledon Championships, and having already previewed the men’s side, what can we expect from the women’s side? With a top player withdrawing and the field becoming more competitive, could we see a first time grand-slam winner in London this year?

The number two ranked player in the world Naomi Osaka announced last week that she will skip the grass-court major to “take some personal time with friends and family”. After pulling out of the French Open because of social anxiety due to mandatory media availability, many speculated she would do the same for Wimbledon. Never having made it past the third round at The Championships, many thought Osaka would’ve been one of the favorites to win the title. Osaka is expected to return at the Tokyo Olympics next month to represent her home country of Japan.

What about the greatest women’s player of all-time? Can Serena finally capture a record-breaking 24th major win after four straight loses in grand-slam finals? After a defeat in the fourth round at the French Open in Paris, Serena has been gearing up for Wimbledon which she has won seven times, with the most recent coming in 2016. Williams is not playing a warm-up tournament on the grass ahead of The Championships, and at the age of 39, recovery from match to match will be key for the number eight ranked player in the world.

What can we expect from the world number one Ash Barty? After retiring from her second round match at Roland-Garros because of a left hip injury, will she be ready for the quick turn around on the grass next week? Barty is the favorite to capture her first Wimbledon title according to the odds at William Hill’s Sportsbook. Her play in the first two or three rounds will be key in determining if the hip issue will flare up again in her play.

What about the other women’s chances for winning the major on the grass? The 2019 defending champion Simon Halep will look to win her second Wimbledon in a row after a calf injury lead to a withdrawal at the French Open. After losing in the second round of a tune-up even in Germany,  Aryna Sabalenka will look to become a first time grand-slam winner as well as push into the top three for the first time in the WTA rankings. Alongside some other grand-slam winners such as: Sofia Kenin, Bianca Andressscu, and Iga Swiatek, we could very well see another breakthrough tournament for these young ladies as well.

With the tune-up events coming to a close later this week, and then Wimbledon starting on Monday, June 28th, we are primed for a very exciting and busy conclusion to the grass-court season for the women of the WTA.