Rybakina 'a big favourite' according to Kvitova despite defending title: "But she's played great all year"

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.