The Wimbledon women’s singles draw for 2024 presents a tantalizing lineup of matches, with several high-profile players facing challenging paths from the very beginning. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each quarter and what to look out for:
First quarter: Swiatek, Vondrousova, Kerber, Ostapenko
In the first quarter, top seed Iga Swiatek enters Wimbledon riding a 19-match winning streak, fresh off her fourth Roland Garros title this month. The world No.1, who is yet to make a significant mark on grass, faces a stern test right from the start against Sofia Kenin, a 2020 Australian Open champion. This rematch of their 2020 French Open final is set to be a gripping encounter. Swiatek defeated Kenin earlier this year at the Australian Open, but grass courts can often be the great equalizer.
Sixth seed Marketa Vondrousova, the defending champion, opens against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Her section includes Barbora Krejcikova, a potential third-round opponent, and Danielle Collins in the fourth round. Collins faces a tough opener against Clara Tauson, known for her powerful game.
The 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber is also in this quarter. The German’s first-round obstacle is Yulia Putintseva, who recently won her first grass-court title at the Rothesay Classic Birmingham.
Another intriguing first-round match-up features Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 Roland Garros champion, against Ajla Tomljanovic, the recent Birmingham runner-up. This encounter is particularly compelling as Tomljanovic previously ousted Ostapenko in the third round of Wimbledon in 2021. Notably, Ostapenko and Swiatek could potentially meet in the fourth round, where Ostapenko’s 4-0 head-to-head record against Swiatek could pose a significant stumbling block for the top seed.
Second quarter: Rybakina, Pegula, Jabeur, Svitolina
Fourth seed and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has been battling health issues, recently retiring from her Berlin quarterfinal due to stomach pain and withdrawing from Eastbourne. In the first round, she faces qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse, with Laura Siegemund likely awaiting in the second. Potential third-round opponents include former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, big-serving qualifier Alycia Parks, and former world No.1 and fellow Grand Slam champion Caroline Wozniacki.
If Rybakina advances, she may encounter strong grass-courters like ‘s-Hertogenbosch champion and No.15 seed Liudmila Samsonova or Berlin runner-up and No.17 seed Anna Kalinskaya in the last 16. Her projected quarterfinal opponent is Berlin champion and No.5 seed Jessica Pegula, who opens against fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.
Pegula’s section is filled with grass-court enthusiasts, including potential third-round foes two-time Nottingham champion Katie Boulter or former Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria. In the fourth round, Pegula is expected to face No.10 seed and three-time major finalist Ons Jabeur, though Jabeur must first overcome No.21 seed Elina Svitolina, who reached her second Wimbledon semifinal last year.
Third quarter: Sabalenka, Qinwen, Vekic, Kasatkina
Two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, who had been projected to meet Donna Vekic in the second round, withdrew from the tournament due to a shoulder injury, leaving the bottom of the draw very open. She’s been replaced by lucky loser Erika Andreeva.
Teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, who reached the fourth round last year, will open against fellow 17-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova. The winner of the match between two youngest ladies in the draw faces either Karolina Muchova or Paula Badosa in the second round, with No.14 seed Daria Kasatkina likely waiting in the third. Kasatkina enters Wimbledon fresh off her title run at the Eastbourne International.
No.8 seed Zheng Qinwen is a potential quarterfinal opponent for those emerging from Sabalenka’s section. Zheng starts against qualifier Lulu Sun and might face No.9 seed Maria Sakkari in the last 16. However, Sakkari, who has struggled in recent majors, could face a tough third-round match against either Ekaterina Alexandrova or Emma Raducanu.
Fourth quarter: Gauff, Paolini, Azarenka, Osaka
Reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff begins her Wimbledon campaign against fellow American Caroline Dolehide. Wimbledon remains the only major where Gauff has yet to surpass the fourth round, which she first reached as a 15-year-old qualifier in 2019.
Bianca Andreescu, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, and Victoria Azarenka are other Grand Slam champions in the fourth quarter.
Karolina Pliskova, a former Wimbledon finalist, is another notable player in this section. Pliskova might meet Azarenka in the second round but first faces 20-year-old left-hander Diana Shnaider, who won her first grass-court title at the Bad Homburg Open just ahead of Wimbledon.
Jasmine Paolini, the No.7 seed and Roland Garros finalist, is Gauff’s projected quarterfinal opponent. Paolini has also made her first grass-court semifinal in Eastbourne and starts against Sara Sorribes Tormo.
The 2024 Wimbledon women’s singles draw sets the stage for a series of enthralling matches, with top seeds facing immediate tests and potential upsets lurking in every quarter. From seasoned champions to rising stars, this year’s tournament promises to deliver high drama and exceptional tennis.
