There is a new dominant force in women’s tennis. The WTA has not had a juggernaut since the wear and tear of being an elite player for two decades started to catch up with Serena Williams. Since Williams claimed her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open, we have seen 13 different women combine to win the last 20 majors. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek looks set to be the best player of the next decade though after claiming her second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros last month. Swiatek just turned 21 years old, and she could be ready to embark on a run towards being one of the all-time greats.
Wimbledon’s Women’s Singles Competitors
The Favorite
Iga Swiatek became the youngest woman to win a Grand Slam title in 16 years when she claimed the 2020 French Open. Swiatek failed to defend her title in 2021, but she was unstoppable at Roland Garros this year. She lost just one set on her way to the title, and she dropped a total of 12 games in her last three matches. Although she has yet to advance past the fourth round of Wimbledon, Swiatek did make the semifinals of the Australian Open earlier this year, and she has been the best woman on the WTA Tour by a wide margin. Swiatek is 44-3 this year and has won six straight titles.
The Contenders
Coco Gauff made it to the French Open Final last month, and the future is bright for the 18-year-old despite a blowout loss to Swiatek. Gauff has yet to win a major, but she already has a ton of seasoning as she first played on the WTA Tour at the age of 15. She was the youngest competitor in the history of the tournament three years ago, and she will eventually make a deep run at Wimbledon.
It was only a few years ago that Simona Halep was the toast of women’s tennis. Halep was the top-ranked player in the world in 2017 and 2018, and she claimed the 2018 French Open and 2019 Wimbledon titles. She didn’t take part in Wimbledon last year though, and Halep has been underwhelming in her last three majors. The former No. 1 player in the world has not advanced further than the fourth round, and she is on the wrong side of 30.
Ons Jabeur is starting to receive some serious buzz among tennis fans for her recent play. Jabeur beat Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic on her way to winning the German Open on grass last week, and she won the Madrid Open on clay earlier this year too. She fell to Swiatek in the finals of the Italian Open, but she lost in the first round of the French Open and has never made it past the quarterfinals of a major.
Wimbledon gave Serena Williams a wild card spot in the tournament, and she will surely attract a lot of action and buzz. Williams hasn’t played a competitive match in almost a year though, and the greatest player of her generation will be turning 41 in September. She is hoping to tie Margaret Court with 24 Grand Slam singles titles, and Wimbledon is her best chance because the grass court lessens the wear and tear on her knees.