Andrea Petkovic predicted Iga Swiatek's Wimbledon win based on a "falcon sign"

Andrea Petkovic predicted two weeks ago that Iga Swiatek would win the Wimbledon title, following the Pole's defeat in the Bad Homburg Open final, just a couple of days before the start of the tournament at the All England Club. The German former top-10 player explained the 'sign' that made her predict Swiatek would secure another major title.

Until just a few weeks ago, Swiatek appeared to be in a crisis, after failing to meet her objectives in the clay-court swing and after falling in the defense of her title at the French Open – where she had won the title in the last three editions. The Pole began the grass-court swing with doubts, especially as it had been the surface that had least suited her until then.

In her only preparatory tournament for Wimbledon in Bad Homburg, Swiatek reached her first final since Roland Garros 2024 and her first career grass-court final. The 6-time Grand Slam champion, however, lost in the final to Jessica Pegula, leaving the tournament empty-handed.

Nevertheless, it helped her gain confidence on the surface, which she amply demonstrated at Wimbledon. She conceded only one set in the tournament (against Caty McNally in the second round), and then swept aside all her subsequent rivals, conceding merely 19 games in her next 5 matches: an average of less than four games per match. It all culminated on Saturday, with a historic 6-0, 6-0 in the final against Amanda Anisimova, which ultimately gave her her 6th major title.

A couple of days after the Bad Homburg Open final, Swiatek was still not entirely convincing as a Wimbledon title candidate. However, it was German Andrea Petkovic who predicted it, mentioning the sign she had seen at the last tournament, which for her indicated Swiatek's chance of winning the title.

“During two matches in Bad Homburg, a falcon or a hawk or an Eagle – I’m clearly not an ornithologist – was circling above Iga Swiatek’s head for minutes at end. I believe that the falcon, let’s say it’s a falcon, was a sign that Iga will win Wimbledon."

While most assumed Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff were the main contenders, it was ultimately Swiatek who increased her legend in major titles, returning to the top-3 of the WTA ranking. Petkovic's prediction proved correct, despite it being a risky bet at the start of the tournament.