Rybakina 'a big favourite' according to Kvitova despite defending title: "But she's played great all year"
WTAThursday, 29 June 2023 at 10:30
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has picked Belarus’
Aryna Sabalenka over defending champion Elena Rybakina to win the title this
year.
The third Grand Slam of 2023 will be played from 03-16 July
in London.
Kvitova, who won Wimbledon twice in 2011 and in 2014, was of
the opinion that the 2021 semifinalist has a better chance of lifting the title
compared to the reigning champion.
"I think Sabalenka has a great chance,” she said while
talking to Flashscore. “Not only with the way she plays and the style she has,
but also with the way she is mentally handling everything right now. Rybakina
will have a tough time because she is defending her title, everyone will be
watching her, but she's got the game and she's been playing great tennis all
season, so for me, she's a big favourite.”
Talking about her own ambitions for the upcoming mega-event,
the world number nine stated that she is just looking to ‘enjoy’ her favourite
tournament.
"I don't have any, I'm going to play my best and hope
my health holds out. Last year I finished in the third round, when the first
rounds are always the hardest... I just want to be there as long as possible,
it's my favourite tournament, so I'm going to enjoy it."
Kvitova’s predictions are interesting considering that Sabalenka
does not have a great record while playing at Wimbledon where she only progressed
beyond the second round once in four attempts which was back in 2021.
The 2021 Australian Open winner has the lowest win percentage
out of all the Grand Slams while playing at Wimbledon where she has won just 60 per cent of the matches.
On the other hand, Rybakina clearly loves playing at
Wimbledon where she has a win percentage of 91, the highest out of all of the Grand Slams.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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