Wimbledon knowledgeable picks – Will Novak Djokovic get his fourth title in a row? How will Serena Williams fare? And may Rafa Nadal win one other Grand Slam?

A 3-time defending champion. An eagerly anticipated return to the game. A participant with an astonishing win streak. And rising stars everywhere. On Monday Wimbledon begins, and with it, a few of the greatest names within the sport will take the courtroom. Serena Williams might be again for the primary time since Wimbledon a yr in the past, Novak Djokovic will look to win a fourth title in a row, Iga Swiatek will see if she will be able to proceed to dominate girls’s tennis and Rafael Nadal might be aiming for his third Grand Slam victory of the yr.

How will all of it shake out? Our consultants give their predictions for what’s setting as much as be an attention-grabbing two weeks.

Who will win the ladies’s singles title and why?

Chris Evert: I am selecting Simona Halep as a result of she is serving greater and profitable free factors! She is concentrated and dedicated to provide it another huge push to enhance and win extra majors.

Luke Jensen: Swiatek is my choose. She has actually became the WTA BOSS! It has been years since Serena Williams actually dominated the WTA world, and it has been a tour broad open — for even a qualifier like Emma Raducanu occurring to win a singles main title with out dropping a set. It has made following the WTA tour extraordinarily attention-grabbing, however witnessing dominance attracts viewers. Swiatek reached No. 1 by default after Ashleigh Barty left the stage in retirement, however the Polish powerhouse is on a 35-match profitable streak and received the juniors on the Huge W in 2018.

Pam Shriver: Swiatek is your winner. Her path might be more durable than it was in Paris, however she is miles forward of everybody else. Her win streak might be at 42 after Wimbledon.

Brad Gilbert: I’m nonetheless assured that Swiatek will win, as she is finest participant on the earth. On the French Open, I’d’ve taken her versus the whole area, however I am not as assured right here. She has that win streak however not as a lot expertise on grass. If she does stumble, it’s fully broad open. I’ve her as the apparent favourite, nevertheless it’s not as clear-cut. Perhaps it is Coco Gauff‘s time. I feel there might be at the least one unseeded girls within the semis, probably two.

Cliff Drysdale: Swiatek. Due to her magnificent floor strokes, unparalleled confidence and locker room worry issue. The negatives for her are excessive expectations from each the tennis world and herself.

D’Arcy Maine: I perceive why Swiatek is the favourite right here and why virtually everyone seems to be selecting her, however her expertise on grass is restricted and he or she hasn’t performed for the reason that French Open, so, hear me out right here, I am taking Ons Jabeur.

Between profitable the title at Berlin, taking on a brand new career-high rating of No. Three and having performed with Serena Williams at Eastbourne, Jabeur is having a critical second. She has momentum and confidence very a lot on her facet, and after her disappointing first-round exit in Paris final month, she additionally would possibly simply have one thing to show. That every one makes for a very harmful mixture.

Jabeur needed to withdraw from Eastbourne on account of a proper knee damage, however this was possible extra of a precautionary measure and exhibits simply how centered she is for Wimbledon. Plus, all streaks finish in some unspecified time in the future, proper?

Tom Hamilton: Out of all of the doable contenders within the post-Barty period, it needs to be Swiatek. Wimbledon may be an unpredictable problem and as we noticed at Roland Garros, simply because your rating is excessive and also you get a cushty seed, it ensures nothing. Swiatek bucks the pattern although, as a result of she wears the favourite tag with confidence, and if something it makes her develop into the position of being the world No. 1.

I fancy Gauff to make a run on the Wimbledon title and Jabeur is certainly wanting harmful, however Swiatek is on these 35 straight wins (most approaching clay) and can look to increase that at SW19.

Simon Cambers: That is actually onerous. Swiatek is the excellent participant on tour proper now, however her half of the draw is loaded. It is fully doable she wins it, however there are a number of high gamers in her path.

I may see Petra Kvitova making an enormous run. After displaying no type by any means, she has discovered it once more in Eastbourne and would possibly simply have one final hurrah. She’s in Paula Badosa‘s part of the draw, who’s inexperienced on grass, and if she may come by way of that part, she could be an enormous menace.

I am additionally excited to see Jabeur and Gauff however I feel I am at risk of going by way of many of the draw, so I will stick my neck out and say Kvitova can win a 3rd Wimbledon title.

Invoice Connelly: The simple reply is Swiatek, and the simple rationale is, “as a result of she’s one of the best participant on the earth.” She has virtually no grass-court expertise however nonetheless made the spherical of 16 final yr and is taking part in significantly better now than then.

If it is not her, although, this turns into one of many extra fascinating tournaments possible. Jabeur’s recreation is completely fitted to grass, and he or she’s in nice type. Plenty of former Wimbledon champs — Angelique Kerber, Halep, Kvitova — have appeared strong of late, and one figures Williams is perhaps able to blowing up a bracket. It is anybody’s recreation if Swiatek does not run away with issues. However she would possibly.

Aishwarya Kumar: What Swiatek has achieved within the first six months of 2022 is completely unbelievable. She final misplaced a match in February, greater than 120 days in the past. She has since equaled Venus Williams‘ report of 35 consecutive match wins, profitable the French Open within the course of. She has received six out of the six tournaments she has performed on this yr. She goes into Wimbledon because the youngest to be seeded as No. 1 since Caroline Wozniacki in 2011. There is not any one within the draw who’s in a greater place to win Wimbledon than Swiatek, and I would be shocked if she does not.

Ohm Youngmisuk: Iga Swiatek seems to be unstoppable. And he or she simply is perhaps as soon as once more at Wimbledon, the place she received as a junior. However, as Swiatek has mentioned, “Grass is all the time difficult.” Whereas Jabeur is available in scorching if she’s wholesome, Gauff enters with rising confidence. Swiatek dealt with Gauff within the French Open last, however the American rebounded and made the semis in Berlin on grass. She has reached the fourth spherical at Wimbledon twice, however she is available in taking part in with rising confidence. After getting shut within the French, Gauff may get her breakthrough at Wimbledon this yr.

Who will win the boys’s singles title and why?

Evert: Djokovic will win as a result of he loves the grass and is comfy along with his footing and mobility on a typically difficult floor. He has one of the best serve and return mixture and mentally, he’s strong as a rock.

Jensen: Djokovic is hungry and heathy. He has received Wimbledon six instances however is 2 majors off the GOAT tempo with 20 to Nadal’s 22. The low-bouncing slick grass offers Djokovic the right floor for his extraordinarily constant recreation and world-class motion.

Shriver: Djokovic, as a result of he’s one of the best, most skilled grass-court participant and he’s determined to be forward of Nadal in majors received.

Gilbert: I feel Djokovic is the clear favourite right here. A yr in the past, I’d’ve taken Djokovic versus the sector right here, however a yr later, he hasn’t performed in addition to 2021. He’s nonetheless one of the best participant on the earth on grass, however this isn’t a positive factor by any means. Nadal is coming off an unbelievable run on the French and is midway to the calendar Slam. If he will get by way of the primary week, Nadal is unquestionably in play.

Drysdale: Djokovic as a result of he’s recent after some pressured layoff. The gamers of the subsequent era are very shut, however seven matches at best-of-five is perhaps an excessive amount of for them.

Maine: Djokovic. He is the three-time defending champion for a motive, and now as he fights to get his season again on observe and because the No. 1 seed (within the absence of Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev) with a more-than-favorable draw, it is onerous to see anybody beating him. Matteo Berrettini — who received the titles at each Stuttgart and Queen’s Membership — may need one of the best likelihood to problem him for the crown, however they would not meet till the ultimate, and Djokovic has received all 4 of their profession conferences, together with in final yr’s Wimbledon last.

Hamilton: The romantic in me needs to say Nadal, however regardless of his having received each Slams thus far this yr, you simply do not know when that ankle goes to provide out. Djokovic will possible head to Wimbledon as favourite, however I am going for Berrettini to go one higher having reached the ultimate final yr. He triumphed at Queen’s a fortnight in the past, and has made 4 straight grass-court finals in a row having additionally received in Stuttgart after he accomplished his comeback from a hand damage.

Cambers: In all probability Djokovic, however there’s additionally a number of stress on him this time, regardless that he is a six-time champion. He’ll see it is a huge likelihood to shut the hole on Nadal to only one within the Slam race, however there are some huge risks if he is not on his recreation.

It has been 12 years since Nadal received right here, however then it was 13 years since he received in Australia. He seems to be match, his foot appears high quality and although grass is problematic for him, in that a few of the greater hitters can threaten him greater than elsewhere, nobody is taking part in higher tennis.

However I will go for Berrettini to go one higher than final yr. He now is aware of he can do it on grass and his latest wins reveal his spectacular type on the floor. He has each likelihood to get to a different last, and if he does that, then he can win the title.

Connelly: Berrettini’s superior latest type is testing my resolve, as is the temptation to experience Nadal’s Slam magic a bit longer. However it nonetheless begins with Djokovic. I want he’d have made himself eligible to play in additional tournaments this yr — we noticed throughout clay-court season that his legs weren’t fairly beneath him, at the least not as they had been by way of most of 2021. However he hasn’t misplaced on grass in 4 years. I am an enormous “by no means wager towards a streak” man, and that is a fairly ridiculous streak.

Kumar: I’ve to say Djokovic. He has but to win a Grand Slam this yr, however Wimbledon is a distinct beast and Djokovic is deadly on the grass courtroom. If the match holds type, Djokovic (first seed) will meet Nadal (second seed) within the last right here, and in contrast to within the French Open quarterfinal, the 35-year-old Serb might be higher suited to win this time round — making it his 21st Grand Slam title.

Youngmisuk: There’s been a ton of drama for Djokovic since he did not make historical past on the US Open final yr. However that is the place he ought to begin to salvage his 2022 and switch issues round. He hasn’t performed near his dominant stage, however Wimbledon’s defending champ needs to be a troublesome out. Berrettini, Carlos Alcaraz and different younger contenders like Hubert Hurkacz seeking to break by way of at Wimbledon higher hope they catch Djokovic earlier than he regains his supreme confidence once more.

Which lesser-known participant may shock right here?

Evert: Beatriz Haddad Maia. She has received Birmingham and Nottingham, and overwhelmed Halep. She is bodily robust and hits a forceful ball. She does not appear fazed in any respect or stunned at her success!

Jensen: On the boys’s facet I like Hurkacz from Poland. He is the No. 7 seed and coming off a win on the grass in Halle, Germany. Do not forget he beat the good Roger Federer in Wimbledon final yr. Within the women draw I see shot-maker Jabeur, who simply received on grass in Berlin and is the No. Three seed at Wimbledon. She has the instruments to make Centre Courtroom her personal carnival of shot-making enjoyable!

Gilbert: Nick Kyrgios is somebody to look at right here. He’s my third favourite as a few of the larger seeds are susceptible on grass. He is not a lot lesser-known, however lesser-ranked. He has a bomb of a serve and I’d not be shocked if he’s within the semis or finals.

Drysdale: Not essentially lesser-known, however Berrettini. He has a powerful grass-court recreation and was very shut final yr. Additionally, Gauff. She is maturing gently and now gaining confidence. A deadly mixture.

Maine: Haddad Maia. Positive, she has by no means superior previous the second spherical at a serious and had by no means received a singles title on tour previous to the grass-court season, however few convey as a lot momentum to Wimbledon because the 26-year-old Brazilian. Haddad Maia received the singles and doubles titles in Nottingham, and casually adopted that efficiency up with the singles title at Birmingham and a semifinal run at Eastbourne. Throughout this dominant stretch, she has recorded wins over Halep and Kvitova, in addition to world No. 5 Maria Sakkari. Haddad Maia is seeded for the primary time in her profession at a Grand Slam and appears able to do some critical injury.

Hamilton: From a British standpoint, and the way we love our dwelling hopes, keep watch over Katie Boulter. She is taking part in one of the best tennis of her younger profession, knocked over Karolina Pliskova at Eastbourne, and will report an enormous upset at Wimbledon. Jack Draper can be taking part in properly and has overwhelmed Taylor Fritz and Diego Schwartzman previously couple of weeks.

Cambers: Draper is a reputation we’ll get used to within the coming years. The 20-year-old lefty has an enormous recreation, with an enormous serve, and he has come a great distance since taking the primary set off Djokovic final yr. With a good wind, he may make the final 16 and tackle Berrettini, which might not be simple for the Italian.

On the ladies’s facet, Boulter and Harriet Dart are in good type whereas Daria Saville, who’s in Sakkari’s part, has had an excellent comeback yr and is aware of her method round a grass courtroom. Likewise, Sorana Cirstea. It is so open this yr that somebody goes to return by way of whom many individuals is not going to know a lot about.

Connelly: It actually feels price mentioning that Tim Van Rijthoven, 25 years previous and a borderline top-100 participant (the very definition of “lesser-known”), went to ‘s-Hertogenbosch a number of weeks in the past and took down Fritz, Hugo Gaston, Felix Auger Aliassime and Medvedev to win the title and earn a Wimbledon wild card. He has virtually no observe report past that, however that is a heck of a approach to make an impression. He has an enormous serve and large forehand — that recipe has actually received some matches at Wimbledon earlier than — and his draw may actually be worse. If he holds his latest type, he may give Reilly Opelka fairly a little bit of hassle within the second spherical.

Kumar: Bernabe Zapata Miralles. The 25-year-old Spaniard, who had by no means superior previous the second spherical of a Grand Slam match, beat a top-15 participant (Fritz) and a top-30 participant (Isner) at this yr’s French Open, making it to the fourth spherical. There, he performed Zverev, and regardless that he misplaced in straight units, he positively made Zverev work onerous. After the match, the world No. 2 mentioned, “He was driving me nuts, to be sincere … I may barely hit a winner towards him.”

Zapata Miralles reached his career-high rating of 90 this month. What’s extra spectacular is that he has needed to play qualifiers in each the French Open and now Wimbledon to get to the primary draw. I positively see him persevering with his type on this yr’s grass-court season.

Youngmisuk: I am going with No. 23-seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia as properly. She has been scorching this grass-court season, profitable at Nottingham and Birmingham and making the semifinals in Eastbourne, towards some huge names. She’s solely received on grass and has nothing to lose.

We have not seen Serena Williams play singles in a yr — how do you anticipate her to do?

Evert: It is onerous to inform how she is taking part in by watching her play doubles. It is onerous to inform about her transferring facet to facet, and it is onerous to gauge how rapidly her instincts will come again. Her energy is there, her serve seems to be nice and we all know she handles stress properly. It is going to be attention-grabbing!

Jensen: I’ve completely no intel on Williams. It simply looks as if an opportunity for her to return to Centre Courtroom and say goodbye to the sport that completely loves and respects her. She is gifted sufficient to make a run, however asking somebody with completely no match play in 12 months to win seven matches over two weeks is asking lots.

Shriver: It is a pleasure to have her taking part in once more. I believe her courtroom protection will not be ok to win No. 24, but when her serve is firing on all cylinders, and he or she performs factors with fixed aggression not permitting opponents to play offensive, then I can dream of a second week Serena run.

Gilbert: I do not know lots about her first opponent, Harmony Tan. All the things right here is about if she will be able to get a number of wins. If she does get a number of, we have to see how her physique reacts. If she will be able to get to the second week, it is a totally different story. We are going to know much more of the place she is at if she will get previous the primary week.

Drysdale: Williams has been there earlier than, however even the all-time best will wrestle this yr.

Maine: Williams had some nice moments and flashes of her signature brilliance throughout her two matches in Eastbourne and confirmed her energy and serve are nonetheless very a lot there (these three consecutive aces when going through break factors within the quarterfinal match? *Chef’s kiss*). However that was doubles, and, as evidenced time and time once more, the ladies’s area is so extremely deep. Anybody can beat anybody and gamers are likely to convey their A+-game towards the famous person.

Nonetheless, she has a winnable first two matches, towards world No. 113 Tan in her opener after which possible Sara Sorribes Tormo (whom she defeated in doubles at Eastbourne). If she had been to flee each of these opponents, she would doubtlessly have a tough third-round check towards Karolina Pliskova, the No. 6 seed and 2021 Wimbledon runner-up. That matchup would give a fairly good indication of precisely the place her stage is true now, and if she had been to win, properly, something is feasible.

Hamilton: We have seen glimpses of the previous Williams in her two doubles matches with Jabeur at Eastbourne. However you must keep in mind that is her solely aggressive tennis since final yr’s first-round retirement. Williams has stunned us earlier than, and hopefully will once more, however it could be a triumph for her to succeed in the second week.

Cambers: I used to be fairly impressed by Serena in doubles in Eastbourne, however doubles may be very, very totally different to singles, particularly when, as Pliskova put it so kindly, you have been out for some time and are getting on a bit (I paraphrase). It is asking lots for her to get into the second week, although with champions like Williams, you simply by no means know. If she will get on a roll, she’s able to something and the time without work between matches will assist with restoration. However damage is all the time a risk, and if somebody makes her run, she’ll wrestle. I would say Week 2 could be a fairly first rate effort.

Connelly: We have seen so little of her of late, and we’re all guessing, however what tends to occur when gamers attain a sure place on the growing old curve is, they usually nonetheless appear like themselves, solely a bit much less ceaselessly. I anticipate her to play at a excessive stage, then — not together with retirements and withdrawals, in any case, she’s nonetheless 14-Three in Slams over the previous two years — however perhaps just for some time.

She’s bought an honest draw. If she reaches the fourth spherical or quarters, it is a splendidly profitable return. Third spherical is not unhealthy. Regardless, this is to hoping for a pleasant run of injury-free play.

Kumar: It is secure to say it is not going to be simple for the 23-time Grand Slam champion. She appeared good in apply classes main up, however being in match form is a complete different factor, particularly at 40 years previous. That being mentioned, we’re speaking about Serena Williams right here. She has come again from a life-threatening childbirth — and a 16-month hiatus from Grand Slams — to win the French Open again in 2018. If that’s any indication, we will certainly anticipate her to step up her recreation come June 27.

Youngmisuk: Something previous third spherical needs to be gravy for Williams after this lengthy of a layoff. This actually needs to be about having fun with the chance to see her on grass once more. Federer’s absence needs to be a reminder to cherish the moments that we get to see all-time nice champions like Williams play towards the top of their careers. If she will be able to get to the fourth spherical, Williams could possibly be harmful with nothing to lose in any respect.

Can Rafael Nadal discover a approach to win, but once more?

Evert: Nadal can completely win right here if his foot holds up. He is a good grass-court participant who has improved yearly to shorten his swing, shorten his rallies — and he’s efficient on the web, profitable extra factors than earlier than. You might by no means rely him out!

Jensen: The 2-time Wimbledon champion has by no means entered Wimbledon after profitable the earlier two majors. Why not go for the calendar Grand Slam. Nadal has overcome COVID-19, damaged ribs and main foot points to get thus far so there’s nooooo wayyyyy I’ll rely Nadal out … ever!

Drysdale: He’s second solely to Djokovic to win the title. It is a actually shut name between these two.

Maine: Grass has historically been his weakest floor, he hasn’t performed at Wimbledon in three years and he is nonetheless coping with a debilitating foot damage, so logically all indicators level to no right here. However we’re speaking about Rafael Nadal. He has overcome ache and difficult opponents and defied nearly each odd all season.

Of the three Slams to this point this yr, this can most actually be essentially the most difficult for Nadal, with Marin Cilic, Auger Aliassime and Berrettini as potential foes en path to the ultimate, however how on earth may anybody rely him out now?

Hamilton: Each time earlier than a serious match this yr, Nadal has talked about how he is perhaps retiring. Then he goes and wins it. It has been the same narrative main as much as Wimbledon as he underwent his radiofrequency nerve ablation on his power foot damage post-Roland Garros: If it labored then he’d play on; if it did not and the ache remained, then he’d have career-altering selections to make. Fortunately, it seems to be prefer it has labored and Nadal has been coaching at SW19 this week on Centre Courtroom. In fact he can discover a approach to win and it’d take a courageous soul to wager towards him.

Cambers: Yep. That is Nadal we’re speaking about. He may barely stroll after profitable in Paris, and but now he seems to be robust once more, and with the shape he has been in, you may’t write him off. It is not going to be simple — he has not received right here since 2010 — however in his previous two visits, he made the semis. It will take somebody taking part in very, superb tennis to beat him if he stays wholesome and if he makes it to the semis, then who would say he will not go all the way in which. The carrot of the third leg of the calendar yr Slam would possibly assist too.

Connelly: The mind says no, after all not. The ache that he is been evidently taking part in by way of for some time will catch as much as him finally, and on his worst floor one other seven-match profitable streak is an excessive amount of to ask for.

The guts says … why the heck not? If he appeared that good in Paris simply final month, why cannot he maintain it going? He has reached the semifinals every of the previous two instances he went to the All England Membership, and he misplaced 10-Eight within the fifth to Djokovic the final time he was there! In fact he can maintain this going!

Kumar: That is so onerous — however I’ll say sure! Nadal is midway to a calendar Grand Slam for the primary time in his total profession at age 36. An ideal 14-Zero in Grand Slams this yr. Let that sink in. Regardless of the problems along with his foot and again, Nadal has discovered a approach to elevate his recreation, notably on the majors. Additionally, he is aware of what it takes to win at Wimbledon. He has carried out it twice, and each years after profitable at Roland Garros. So, if anyone can go on the market and win the whole factor, it is him.

Youngmisuk: Completely. The foot and floor mixed are hassle, little question. However Nadal’s already legendary never-give-up perspective has solely grown this yr. Doubt Rafa at your individual danger. Nadal could make this dream yr thus far turn into a historic one. He’ll give it his all, which is sweet sufficient to place him in competition even right here at Wimbledon, the place he hasn’t received since 2010.

Betting on the French Open

Is there a betting worth play on the ladies’s facet you want?

Gilbert: I would be tempted to take a flier on Gauff, coming off her success on the French. In case you really feel like Swiatek is susceptible, I really feel like 10-15 totally different girls may win it at that time. I’m not as assured together with her on grass, so Gauff is somebody that I’d take right here.

Is there a betting worth play on the boys’s facet you want?

Gilbert: I’d take a flier on Kyrgios at 18-1. His ceiling may be very excessive and he’s his personal worst enemy. Excessive danger, excessive reward. One other younger man I like is younger Brit Draper (100-1) as he has enormous upside. May not win this one, however the child is able to profitable this occasion in some unspecified time in the future. I’d not be stunned if an unseeded participant makes the semis, for those who can wager on that.

In case you needed to choose an extended shot to play, who wouldn’t it be?

Gilbert: For lengthy shot, going Kyrgios at 18-1. He is 45th on the earth and in play right here. One in every of finest serves round and he’s very comfy on grass. On the ladies’s facet, my long-shot recommendation is to take any unseeded participant to make semis or, on this occasion, take the sector to win the title, not like on the French.