Elena Rybakina has been backed for Wimbledon success by former player and 3-time Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick.
Elena Rybakina achieved the biggest success in her tennis career so far by winning the 2022 edition of Wimbledon. She faced Ons Jabeur in the final and proved better than the Tunisian coming back from a set down in the final.
Rybakina extended her success into 2023 putting together some amazing performances to solidify herself among the top three players on the WTA Tour. She also added trophies to her ever-growing tally proving that Wimbledon was no fluke.
When it comes to Wimbledon this year, Rybakina is in front of her competition according to former player Andy Roddick. He broke it down on the Tennis Channel, explaining why the Kazakh is the favourite.
Because she's the best grass court player in the world, it's pretty straightforward. Listen, you won't find a bigger fan of Iga Swiatek than me, I have so much respect for her, and so none of this is a sly to Iga, but she's unproven on this surface. So I don't know how you can't make Rybakina the favorite.
Every surface is different and there are things that are a better fit on one surface compared to another. Roddick broke down the difference between Swiatek and Rybakina noting that their skill sets fit better on one surface compared to another. For Swiatek it's clay and for Rybakina it's grass.
What she (Iga) does creating those RPMs, the movement that she has on clay, those things don't translate to a grass court. Conversely, everything that is a struggle for Rybakina with the movement, slowing down her shots through the court is additive at Wimbledon.
Another player that will be in the conversation is Aryna Sabalenka who narrowly missed out on a final a few years ago. She'll have a decent chance this year as Roddick finds her the bigger favourite than Swiatek, but not ahead of Rybakina.
I actually would think that Sabalenka might be the second favorite. And then maybe Iga a third, fourth. But Iga is largely improving on grass, I'm sure she would probably tell you the same thing. And she does have some challenges on this surface as such, especially if it's playing quick.
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