Tennis

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate


Wimbledon gets underway on Monday as the summer’s biggest tennis event arrives at SW19.

Novak Djokovic is defending men’s champion and will be hoping to land his fifth crown in London.

However Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and some of the young guns will be hoping to have a big say in the conversation.

Here our experts reveal their picks for both the men’s and women’s draws and look at who could cause an upset.

Wimbledon predictions

Neil Squires, Chief Sports Reporter

Men’s winner

Novak Djokovic – Roger and Rafa will get the love, Djokovic will get the silverware. Perennially underappreciated, the modern master has the all-round game and inner drive to draw level with Bjorn Borg on the Wimbledon all-time list and chalk up a fifth singles title.

Dark horse

Nick Krygios – Seemingly untameable, the Australian is a volcano waiting to go off but if he can just keep his mind together throughout the course of Wimbledon fortnight he has the ideal game to go deep into a grass-court tournament.

Women’s winner

Petra Kvitova – Twice a Wimbledon champion, Kvitova offers up a wonderful redemption story if she can overcome the wrist problem which forced her out of the French Open. Suffered career-threatening injuries in a knife attack at her home in 2016 but has come back to win eight tournaments. She is just awaiting another big one.  

Dark horse

Jo Konta – Streaky, but if she is running hot she can make big inroads into Grand Slams as she has shown with semifinal appearances at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and this year’s French Open. Seeded 19, the Briton is capable of punching above that.

Neil McLeman, Sports writer

Male winner: Novak Djokovic

The Big Three have won the last 10 Grand Slams and world No.1 is again the man to beat – especially with Nadal and Federer drawn to meet in the semis.

Top Brit: Dan Evans

A year on after failing to qualify after his 12-month ban for taking cocaine, the British No.3 has won two Challengers events on grass this season

Outside bet: Alex Zverev

If you count an outside bet as any player outside the Big Three, the world No.5 has a good draw and is due for a good run in a Grand Slam

Female winner: Angelique Kerber

In a wide open women’s competition, the defending champion is a class act on grass and has shown good recent form

Top Brit: Jo Konta

The British No.1 made the last four here in 2017 and reached her third Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open. She is a very streaky player and is currently in form

Outside bet: Kiki Bertens

To call the world No.4 an outside bet is also stretching it but the Dutch star reached the quarter-finals here last year and had a strong clay-court season before retiring from the French Open because of illness

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate (Image: GETTY)

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate (Image: GETTY)

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate (Image: GETTY)

Matthew Dunn, Sports correspondent

Men’s winner

Novak Djokovic – he will be rubbing his hands knowing that the soonest he can meet Roger Federer is in the final and will have too much to be troubled by anybody else in the field. He is defending champion for a reason.

Dark horse

Stefanos Tsitsipas – Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev have always been the names threatening to topple the big three off their perch but the energy of the 20-year-old could see him sweep through the Wimbledon with the swagger of a Greek demi-god. Grass, the world no. 6 claims, is his favourite surface after all.

Most successful Brit

Dan Evans – It was a disappointing Queen’s for the British no. 3. But with Kyle Edmund always struggling to break through into that second week at SW19, if you want a man to claim an unexpected scalp or two, Evans has the talent to do just that.

Women’s winner

Serena Williams – The 37-year-old is still looking for that elusive grand slam no. 24 and her first as a mum. But reaching the finals at Wimbledon last year and the US Open shows she is not far away and with her supreme knowledge of grass court tennis honed over the years, it will be too much for the young hopefuls snapping at her heels elsewhere in the world.

Dark horse

Caroline Wozniacki – Given that not one of the top 10 seeds in last summer’s tournament reached the quarter-finals, the women’s singles can be very open indeed. Wozniacki conquered Wimbledon as a 15-year-old as the girls’ champion but has fallen six times in the fourth round since. This could be the year for her to break that curse.

Most successful Brit

Jo Konta – Now a semi-finalist in three of the grand slams, she has all the credentials to go all the way. Except one… consistency. As she showed at Eastbourne this week, just one almost inevitable bad match can undo all the hard work she puts in. Hopefully for home fans that will come later in the tournament rather than sooner.

Matt Lawless, Head of Digital Sport

Men’s winner

Novak Djokovic – the defending champion is the favourite for good reason. Usual suspects Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer will surely rival him along the way but the Serb, for me, should celebrate his fifth slam at SW19.

Dark horse

Felix Auger Aliassime – The 18-year-old Canadian was seriously impressive at Queen’s, where he reached the semi-finals, and he was a beaten finalist on the grass at Stuttgart earlier this month. Winning Wimbledon might be a stretch too far for the teenager this year. But the fans will definitely get behind him – and at 28/1, he might just be worth a small punt.

Women’s winner

Ashleigh Barty – The Australian top seed – and new world No.1 – will be the one to beat after her victorious visit to Birmingham last week. But you can never rule out the Queen of grass, Serena Williams. She hasn’t played an awful lot of tennis but she loves Wimbledon and you can be sure the six-time champion won’t go out with whimper.

Dark horse

Jo Konta – We haven’t had a British women’s winner at Wimbledon since the great Virginia Wade in 1977. With Andy Murray set to bid farewell, the weight of the nation’s expectations will be firmly upon the 28-year-old’s shoulders – especially given how close she came to reaching the final two years ago. Nor should we ignore her impressive recent run to the last four at the French Open. Anything is possible, right?

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate (Image: GETTY)

Stuart Ballard, Senior Digital Sports Reporter

Men’s winner: Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic began the year in excellent form, winning his third consecutive Grand Slam, but hasn’t look at his best since then. Federer comes in having won the Halle Open and will likely have extra fire in his belly to put his 2018 Wimbledon performance behind him.

Female winner: Ashleigh Barty

It’s hard to look past the French Open winner. She’s a former Wimbledon junior champion and looked dominant at the Nature Valley Classic last week.

Most successful male Brit: Kyle Edmund

Edmund’s big breakthrough came at the 2018 Australian Open as he reached the semi-final where he beat Kevin Anderson and Grigor Dimitrov along the way. He has also slowly been progressing through the rounds at Wimbledon over the years. Can see him potentially reaching the fourth round.

Most successful female Brit: Johanna Konta

No big surprises here either I don’t think. Konta looked in brilliant form at the French Open as she reached the semi-finals and has the ability to compete with the best on her day.

Female dark horse: Jelena Ostapenko

Ostapenko has had a torrid 2019 campaign so far, but the former French Open champion has enjoyed Wimbledon over the past two years. She reached the semi-finals in 2018 before losing to eventual champion Angelique Kerber. At 40/1 she could be well worth a punt.

Male dark horse: Dominic Thiem

A No 5 seed probably shouldn’t be regarded as a long shot, but in this era it is. Thiem has struggled on grass in his career so far but that will turn at some point. With injuries and fatigue affecting some of the top seeds, this might be his chance to reach the latter rounds.

Mikael McKenzie, Senior Digital Sports Reporter

Men’s winner

Roger Federer – Wimbledon’s seeding formula has done the 37-year-old a major favour and he could avoid both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal until the final. Knowing this could be one his final appearances at the All England Club will also be extra motivation for the eight-time champion.

Dark horse

John Isner – The ninth-seed American was so close to last year’s final – losing a marathon semi-final fifth-set 26-24 to Kevin Anderson. His 2019 preparations have been hampered by a fractured foot, but if he is pain-free I wouldn’t be surprised to see him serve and volley his way deep into the tournament.

Women’s winner

Serena Williams – The women’s game is so wide open right now why can’t the American go on to equal Margaret Court’s Grand Slam record at Wimbledon? She clearly has the pedigree and didn’t need any preparation to reach last year’s final.

Dark horse

Belinda Bencic – The Swiss is at a career-high No 22 in the world rankings and has beaten a host of top-10 stars this year, including Naomi Osaka twice. No doubt she may be able to get some advice from a certain Roger Federer, too.

Best of British ATP

Dan Evans – The 29-year-old has had a brilliant grass campaign so far winning Challenger titles in Surbiton and Nottingham. Grand Slams are a level above, but he is the most in-form of the five Brits entering the tournament on the men’s side.

Best of British WTA

Johanna Konta – A French Open semi-final appearance should give her the belief she can go far in her home Grand Slam. But Konta has struggled on grass in the build-up – or is she just saving herself for the big one?

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate (Image: GETTY)

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate

Wimbledon predictions: Who will win this year? Who can cause a shock at SW19? Big Debate (Image: GETTY)

Uche Amako, Digital Sports Reporter

Men’s singles winner – Novak Djokovic

Every tournament the world No 1 enters, apart from on clay, he is the clear favourite and man to beat.

And that will be no different when he opens proceedings on Centre Court at 1pm on Monday.

His game is ideally suited to the grass with its slower speed. He remains the best returner in the game and his determination to surpass Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will drive his bid for Grand Slam number 16.

Last year’s win at Wimbledon was the start of a dominant second half of 2018 and he will be keen to get back on track after disappointment at the French Open.

Women’s singles winner – Serena Williams

Serena Williams will win Wimbledon IF she is fully fit.

2019 has been a disaster for the American in terms of fitness and injury. She has struggled to finish tournaments and her trophy drought goes all the way back to January 2017.

Reaching the final last year was miraculous and as long as he is healthy she is the most dominant women’s player on grass.

Most successful British men’s singles player – Kyle Edmund

With Andy Murray not in singles action, hopes of British success rest largely on Kyle Edmund.

The 24-year-old has had a tough year with form and injury and early exits at the Australian and French Open.

But there is no better place than Wimbledon to get your season back on track and a run to the second week has to be his target.

Most successful British women’s singles player – Johanna Konta

After her run to the French Open semi-finals, Johanna Konta should receive a hero’s welcome when she plays her first match at Wimbledon.

In 2017, Konta reached the last four at SW19 and there is no reason why she can’t do similar in the next two weeks.

Konta is better when she takes the initiative and plays on the front foot and she will need that aggressive attitude to get success at Wimbledon.

Men’s dark horse – Stefanos Tsitsipas

He’s got the looks. He’s got the backstory. He’s got the confidence.

But most importantly Stefanos Tsitsipas has the game. The Greek star has made an impact at the first two Grand Slams of the year and his style of play should work well on grass.

The 20-year-old has a good serve, volleys well, likes to play on the front foot and is more than capable of trading from the baseline.

Men’s tennis needs to start thinking beyond Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. And Tsitsipas is the man to shake things up.

Women’s dark horse – Sofia Kenin

After reaching the fourth round at the French Open, Sofia Kenin backed that up with victory at the Mallorca Open.

The 20-year-old’s win over Serena Williams in Paris was eye-catching and her competitive temperament might upset a few people but shows a winning mentality.

Seeded 27th, she will be a threat to anyone she comes up against early on.

Rhys Daly, Digital Sports Reporter

Men’s winner

Roger Federer will give everything he has to offer at Wimbledon in what could be his last trip to his favourite tournament.

The 37-year-old has appeared in 11 finals at SW19 winning eight of those, and will be desperate to give his record of 20 Grand Slam titles some daylight over Rafael Nadal’s 18.

I’m backing the Swiss to make the most of Nadal being placed in the same side of the draw as Novak Djokovic and secure his final major victory.

Dark horse

Kei Nishikori is my dark horse having reached the quarter-finals stages at Wimbledon last year and started the 2019 season in fine form with back-to-back appearances in the last eight.

The 29-year-old lost the only Grand Slam final he appeared in at the French Open in 2014, but is well placed to cause a shock in London.

Most successful Brit

Dan Evans has only made one Grand Slam semi-final since making his debut at Wimbledon back in 2012, but remains the best British hope having been ranked as our best player since March 2018.

Women’s winner

I’m backing Serena Williams to win her first Grand Slam title in over two years at Wimbledon next month.

Although the 37-year-old has endured a disappointing start to the season, she followed her fourth round French Open exit with a Wimbledon final last year.

Serena has won the tournament twice in the last four years and there is no better place for her to complete a historic comeback triumph.

Dark horse and most successful Brit

Johanna Konta is my dark horse having reached the semi-finals of the French Open earlier this year.

The 28-year-old reached the last four in 2017 but has never made a Grand Slam final, but I’m backing the British support to give her the edge in each of her matches.

Ryan Taylor, Digital Sports Reporter

Men’s winner

Roger Federer – He might be nearing retirement but the GOAT has eight Wimbledon titles to his name and is still hungry to add more Grand Slams with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic keen to chase down his 20. He will need a bit of luck along the way, but I’m backing the Swiss to have another tournament to remember.

Mens’ Dark Horse

Dominic Thiem – The Austrian has really impressed me this season starting all the way back at Indian Wells where he beat Federer in the final. He also just fell short at the French Open last month finishing runner-up to Nadal. Although neither of those competitions were on grass, there’s no doubt in my mind that the 25-year-old is a future Grand Slam champion and he’s playing the best tennis of his career.

Women’s Best Brit

Kyle Edmund – It’s a shame there is no British men’s players that get you really excited anymore, I would have loved to see a fit Andy Murray in action again but Kyle Edmund seems confident in himself. He told SportBible that he’ll win Wimbledon, can’t ever see that happening but I’m backing him to lead the way.

Women’s winner

Ashleigh Barty – If Barty can hold off her long-standing shoulder problem, I can’t see anyone stopping her. She was simply sublime at Roland-Garros and if she can carry over that kind of confidence to Wimbledon, her incredible Cinderella story could continue at SW19.

Women’s Dark horse

Jo Konta – Why not? You couldn’t help but feel gutted for her when she lost to Venus Williams in the 2017 semi-final but it proved she has the credentials to go far in the tournament. Konta has had two year’s worth of experience since then and if she can avoid the likes of Barty, Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka for as long as possible, who knows what could happen.

Women’s Best Brit

Jo Konta – For the reasons above, Konta is our best shot at glory.

Matthew Atherton, Digital Sports Reporter

Men’s winner

Rafael Nadal – Somewhat of an underdog compared to the usual suspects of Djokovic and Federer, but I think Nadal will claim his third Wimbledon title this summer. He’s due a big Wimbledon performance, and he comes into the tournament in red hot form, once again. He’s going to have a tough draw either way, and will likely face Djokovic in the semi-finals, but Rafa has my backing this year.

Dark horse

Milos Raonic – Raonic has always been unlucky in Grand Slams, coming close to winning titles on a number of occasions (not least at Wimbledon, where he lost to Andy Murray in the final in 2016). Always the bridesmaid and never the bride, Raonic could sneak ahead of the big three this summer and finally get his first Grand Slam.

Women’s winner

Ashleigh Barty – Barty has burst onto the scene after winning at Roland Garros, and I see her fortunes continuing at Wimbledon. Even at just 23-years-old, Barty is the favourite for the Wimbledon title, and for good reason. She’s particularly impressive on grass, and she’ll be full of confidence after winning her first Grand Slam in France. Only Serena could stop her…

Dark horse

Joanna Konta – There’s something about Wimbledon that makes British players perform – ever so slightly – better than normal. Konta came within touching distance of a Wimbledon final just a few years ago, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her reach the semi-final again.

You could do a lot worse than backing Dominic Thiem at a massive 40/1

You could do a lot worse than backing Dominic Thiem at a massive 40/1 (Image: GETTY)

Jamie Anderson, Digital Sports Reporter

Men’s singles winner – Novak Djokovic

Sorry to be dull but I really can’t see past Novak defending his Wimbledon crown. Rafael Nadal hasn’t won the title at SW19 since 2010 and Roger Federer, despite winning the Halle Open, isn’t the force of old.

Women’s singles winner – Serena Williams

Because why not? Admittedly the 23-time Grand Slam winner and seven-time Wimbledon champion may no longer be at the top of her game but it would take a brave punter to write her off on a surface she’s dominated on for over a decade.

Men’s dark horse – Dominic Thiem

You could do a lot worse than backing Dominic Thiem at a massive 40/1. The Austrian produced some sublime tennis at the French Open, beating Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals before falling to perennial clay champion Rafael Nadal.

Women’s dark horse – Simona Halep

I’ll take a chance with 2014 semi-finalist Simona Halep. The seventh-seed landed her first major at the French open last year and could be dangerous with the pressure off her shoulders.



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