By Alex Edwards
Time to don your smartest white outfits because one of the most prestigious sporting events of the year is back, with more unexpected events and surprises set to unravel than ever before. From the 3rd to the 16th July, players and fans will gather in London at the All England Club for the most anticipated tennis event of the season: Wimbledon.
In the months leading up to June, plenty of unforeseen events happened to change the course of the game. Serena Williams, always a frontrunner and crowd favorite, is absent from this year’s match due to a pregnancy with fiancé Alexis Ohanian. At Wimbledon last year, Serena won her 22nd Slam title. In an interview with Vanity Fair US, she admitted initial shock because she had planned on winning again this year. Also absent from the courts with an injury is 2004 champion and tennis star, Maria Sharapova.
Which is why tennis analysts have varying predictions about this year’s champion. Currently ranked number one worldwide is Angelique Kerber, who won two major titles in 2016. Always at the top is former world number one Victoria Azarenka, who is returning to tennis after recently having a baby. Another favourite is Petra Kvitova, who’s returning after recovering from a December stabbing injury. The young Jeļena Ostapenko is also among the tops with her win at the 2017 French Open when she became the first Latvian player to win a Grand Slam tournament. The Wimbledon website also notes Madison Keys, the first American woman to make it into the top 10 since Serena. And of course, there’s Serena’s sister Venus Williams, who has won the tournament five times, making her a regular frontrunner.
Going into Day Three, all are still in the game with wins in the first rounds.
Now for the men. Not as excitingly unpredictable as the women, the race for the men’s title has clearer leads. Currently ranked number one is Andy Murray, who has won his first match despite having a hip problem. Of course there’s the famed Rafael Nadal, who’s won 15 Grand Slam titles, and who’s often referred to as the greatest player on clay-courts in history. The Wimbledon website also notes Kei Nishikori, the only Japanese male to be ranked in the top 10. Also noteworthy is Daniil Medvedev, who made an impression in his first match after beating former world number 3 Stan Wawrinka. Novak Djokovic is another to watch out for, currently number four in the world and who’s been called the Tiger Woods of tennis. Lastly, Alexander Zverev is the youngest player currently in the world top 20, and is referred to as the “next big thing.”
Going into Day Three, all men are also still in it with wins in the first rounds.
Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament unfolds! We’re excited to see what will happen.