The few short weeks of preparation for Wimbledon are already completed. On Monday, the final draw of the London Grand Slam will begin for the ladies. Who will succeed Marketa Vondrousovasurprise winner in 2023? The big favorite seems to be the Polish and world number 1 Iga Swiatekrecently titled at Roland-Garros. The latter will face Sofia Kenin in the first round, like in Melbourne in January. Behind, several players are expected at the turn. This is the case of Coco Gauff (n°2), but also ofAryna Sabalenka (n°3) or evenElena Rybakina (n°4), titled in 2022 in England. On the Blue side, there will be five of them to defend the tricolor chances, with Caroline Garcia in the lead, which will start with the Russian Anna Blinkova, who beat her at Roland-Garros in 2023.
Wimbledon 2024, to be followed from July 1 to 14
Swiatek starts with Kenin, Gauff, Sabalenka… the favorites
The favourites were rather spared in this London draw. Except Iga Swiatekalways looking for a performance at Wimbledon. The Pole has never made it past the quarter-finals, and will have to be wary from the first round this year. She will challenge Sofia Keninhis first opponent atAustralian Open 2024 but also the player she faced in the final of Roland-Garros 2020. Far from being obvious. Coco Gauff (n°2) also finds an opponent she had known at Melbournehis compatriot Caroline Dolehide. She got away with it in two rounds. Finalist last year, Ons Jabeur (n°10) hopes to finally lift the title in 2024. The Tunisian will face MOyuka Uchijima for his entry into the running. She could find Jessica Pegula an 8es one Elina Svitolina from the 3rd round… Aryna Sabalenka (n°3) et Elena Rybakina (n°4) will challenge qualified players, respectively the American Emina Bektas and the Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
Garcia not spared, Dodin inherits a qualifier… the draw of the Blues
As a top seed, it was hard to imagine a worse outcome for Caroline Garcia (n°23). The French number 1 will challenge Anna Blinkova in the first round. The Russian knows the Lyonnaise well for having taken her out at Roland-Garros in 2019 and 2023. Hopefully the grass will do better Dear Garcia to avoid early exit. Diane Parry was even less lucky. She will have to create the feat against the experienced Naomi Osaka. However, if there is one Grand Slam where the Japanese is beatable, it is Wimbledon. She has never made it past the third round. Among the other Blues, Varvara Grachevabest Frenchwoman at Roland-Garros, will begin with Lesia Tsurenko while Clara Burelranked 43rd in the world, had a more lenient draw. In fact, she will face the young German Eva Lysstraight out of the qualifiers. Oceane Dodin will also challenge a qualifier, the Ukrainian Daria Snigur.
Raducanu faces Alexandrova, shock Badosa-Muchova
Other great displays will take place from the first round in the English capital. For her return home, Wimbledon, Emma Raducanu will have a lot to do against Ekaterina Alexandrova (n°22)in great shape on grass since the start of the tour. A great clash will also take place between the returning Karolina Muchovaback after a long injury, and Paula Badosalosing momentum but who has just returned to the top 100. The Czech had beaten the Spaniard in the round of 16 of the 2021 edition. The defending champion Marketa Vondrousova (n°6) will face another Spaniard, Jessica Bouzas Cool.
