Annabel Croft tips relatively unknown British teenager that could breakthrough at Wimbledon as her "one to look out for"

Annabel Croft has shared her thoughts on the potential favourites for Wimbledon, as first-round action gets underway on July 1st.

With Wimbledon hype reaching fever pitch, there’s no shortage of homegrown stars set to take to the court for the annual grass Grand Slam at SW19. British number ones Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu will undoubtedly have the support of the home crowd, and many will be hoping that at least one of them can make a deep run into the tournament.

Alongside them, fans will also be keeping a close eye on Jacob Fearnley, Katie Boulter, and the in-form Dan Evans as play progresses. However, Croft believes there’s a 16-year-old who could steal the spotlight and cause some major upsets in her debut at a Grand Slam seniors event.

During an interview with the BBC, while unveiling their punditry team for Wimbledon, Croft — along with her fellow analysts — was asked who she believed could win this year’s tournament and who might be the surprise package.

In response, Croft shared her picks:

"I’m reaching for Coco Gauff. I think after winning Roland Garros I think she’s going to have a really good Wimbledon, and she’s going to have confidence, and I think she has the game for it. She’s already a big star but it brings it to a bigger global audience".

"I’m a huge fan of not just her tennis, but her work ethic, her professionalism, I like her personality, and I think that she’s going to be certainly a big force. She’s already a big star but I think if she won Wimbledon it brings it to a bigger global audience. Wimbledon is quite special".

‘I think it’s going to be interesting to see how far the Brits go. I think this group of three of them, Raducanu, Boulter and Kartal, are really ones to keep an eye on".

Croft then revealed who she fancied as a surprise pick:

"Mika Stojsavljevic, the young girl that won the US Open juniors called has been given a wildcard. She’s certainly one to keep an eye on. If I was going to go with one player that people aren’t so familiar with who’s done so well on the tour and she’s still a teenager I’d have to say Mirra Andreeva. She won Indian Wells, she’s beaten Świątek several times and she’s got an all court game so I definitely think she’s going to be one to look out for".

At just 16 years old, Stojsavljevic is a London-based athlete with a Serbian father and a Polish mother. Growing up, she idolised Maria Sharapova — and that influence is clear when you watch her play.

Her tall frame allows her to generate impressive power on serve, which could be a major weapon in any success she achieves at this year’s Wimbledon. At just 16, there’s also a chance she could grow even taller, potentially unlocking even more physical strengths and skills in the future.

Stojsavljevic already has experience at the highest junior level, having won the US Open Girls’ Singles title last year at just 15. Now making her Grand Slam main draw debut at Wimbledon, a strong performance could be the beginning of a promising WTA career.