Patrick McEnroe thinks Iga Swiatek is “not even a favorite” for the title at this year’s Wimbledon. Swiatek, 22, admitted after her fourth Grand Slam title at this past French Open that she has yet to figure out grass. After suffering a Wimbledon first-round loss in 2019, Swiatek made the round-of-16 at The Championships in 2021.
Last year, Swiatek was upset by Alize Cornet in the Wimbledon third round. In five main draw appearances in grass tournaments, Swiatek just twice managed to make the round-of-16. “Iga Swiatek hasn’t played that well yet at Wimbledon, but I do suspect with her athleticism she can take the ball early, but can she cut the ball off well enough on grass? That remains to be seen.
She is nowhere near the favourite that she was in Paris. In fact not even the favorite,” McEnroe said on the Holding Court with Patrick McEnroe podcast, via Sportskeeda.
McEnroe: Swiatek not a favorite at Wimbledon
After declaring Swiatek as not the favorite, McEnroe proceeded to name Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka as the top favorites for the Wimbledon title.
Rybakina won Wimbledon last year, while Sabalenka made the Wimbledon semifinal in 2021 before being banned from the tournament last year. Also, McEnroe warned 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova could do some damage at Wimbledon.
“Rybakina will certainly enter Wimbledon as probably the favorite I’d say, Sabalenka of course has played well in England, losing in the finals against Barty a couple of years ago. she’ll also be dangerous. But I think you have to say Rybakina is the favorite and Sabalenka the second favorite.
Muchova is gotta be considered one of the favorites if she can bounce back and recover. You saw the tears and emotions from her during the ceremony, which is great to see, you can see how much it meant to her. She’s come back from injury and she’s had a terrific tournament in Paris.
She moved up 27 spots, she’s currently 16th in the world so that puts her in a pretty good spot at Wimbledon to make a little bit of a run. Hopefully, she can avoid one of the big three in the round of 16,” McEnroe said.
