As a British Tennis Fan, it feels great that Wimbledon is back and even more special, is the fact that the tournament returns with the strongest British showing ever, at least to my knowledge. 15 Brits, 6 Men and 9 women are in the singles draw – surely that’s a record?
In this short post I’m going to go through all 15 and give my thoughts on how far they could go in these Championships, starting with the ones I feel could be defeated early to the ones that could be flying the flag into the 2nd week:
1. Katie Swan – Age 22, WTA Ranking: 290
Wimbledon W/L Record: 1-3
2021 1st Round Opponent: Madison Keys
A tough opponent for Swan to get in Round 1. Coming through in Qualifying will help the Brit’s chances, but Keys looks in top form with recent results in Berlin and I think will have too much quality for Swan to handle
Prediction: Round 1
2. Jodie Burrage – Age 22, WTA Ranking: 270
Wimbledon W/L Record: N/A, making her debut
2021 1st Round Opponent: Lauren Davis
This is a 50-50 match up and one Jodie will be relishing she can get a result from. However Davis has more experience at Slam level and I think that gives the American a slight edge. Thinking a tough 3 setter that just goes the way of Davis
Prediction: Round 1
3. Jack Draper – Age 19, ATP Ranking: 250
Wimbledon W/L Record: 0-1
2021 1st Round Opponent: Novak Djokovic
A David vs. Goliath match up for the talented young Brit. Gets the honour of opening up Centre Court and will relish playing in front of a supportive home crowd. Expect Djokovic to win but will be a great learning experience for the Brit
Prediction: Round 1
4. Harriet Dart – Age 24, WTA Ranking: 141
Wimbledon W/L Record: 2-2
2021 1st Round Opponent: Elise Mertens
A difficult draw for the Brit against Elise Mertens, an all court player that shows remarkable consistency at Grand Slam level. The Belgian hasn’t lost before Round 3 in a Slam since 2017 and I expect that to continue here
Prediction: Round 1
5. Francesca Jones – Age 20, WTA Ranking: 210
Wimbledon W/L Record: N/A, making her debut
2021 1st Round Opponent: Coco Gauff
The toughest draw of all the British women at these Championships, Gauff is an immense talent, full of confidence from making her 1st Slam Quarter Final at the French Open. Fran herself is having a breakthrough season, but I don’t see her troubling the young American here
Prediction: Round 1
6. Samantha Murray Sharan – Age 32, WTA Ranking: 226
Wimbledon W/L Record: 0-2
2021 1st Round Opponent: Sorana Cirstea
Great to see Samantha Murray’s resurgence over the last 2 years has got her back in the Wimbledon Main Draw after a 7 years absence. However Cirstea is a step up in quality and will be feeling confident, having made the 2nd week in Roland Garros earlier this month
Prediction: Round 1
7. Jay Clarke – Age 22, ATP Ranking: 230
Wimbledon W/L Record: 1-2
2021 1st Round Opponent: Egor Gerasimov
A winnable match for the young wildcard against a player who hasn’t competed at Wimbledon before. I think the Brit can win, but a 2nd round match up against Khachanov will be a step up in class.
Prediction: Round 2
8. Emma Raducanu – Age 18, WTA Ranking: 336
Wimbledon W/L Record: N/A, making her debut
2021 1st Round Opponent: Vitalia Diatchenko
A great opportunity for Emma to get her 1st win at Wimbledon on her debut. Emma is in form on grass following strong performances at recent ITF tournaments, as well as at the last Battle of the Brits. A potential 2nd round against Eastbourne runner up Anett Kontaveit will be a great learning experience, but too big of a step up in quality
Prediction: Round 2
9. Liam Broady – Age 27, ATP Ranking: 144
Wimbledon W/L Record: 1-3
2021 1st Round Opponent: Marco Cecchinato
I think Liam can get a result here. He is having a great year and particularly stood out last week in Eastbourne beating Tiafoe and pushing Alex De Minaur close in two hard fought sets. Cecchinato is not comfortable with grass and has never won a match at Wimbledon, losing in his past 4 attempts. A potential 2nd round encounter for Broady vs. Schwartzman would be an intriguing clash, deserving of a show court, but think Schwartzman would be too strong for Broady in that scenario
Prediction: Round 2
10. Katie Boulter – Age 24, WTA Ranking: 217
Wimbledon W/L Record: 1-2
2021 1st Round Opponent: Danielle Lao
A great 1st round for Katie against a player making her debut at Wimbledon at the age of 30. I expect Boulter to win that but lose in a tough 2nd round potential clash against the in-form big hitting 2nd seed Aryna Sabalenka
Prediction: Round 2
11. Heather Watson – Age 29, WTA Ranking: 65
Wimbledon W/L Record: 8-10
2021 1st Round Opponent: Kristie Ahn
Heather Watson loves the grass and has played herself into form, with a strong Semi Final run in Birmingham, followed by a narrow defeat to Swiatek in Eastbourne, where for most of the match Watson looked the better player. Think she will get past Ahn in this current form, but struggle with the potential weight of shot from Petra Kvitova, who could be her 2nd round opponent
Prediction: Round 2
12. Cameron Norrie – Age 25, ATP Ranking: 34
Wimbledon W/L Record: 1-3
2021 1st Round Opponent: Lucas Pouille
Norrie is the most in-form Brit this year, having a season to remember. Grass was considered a tough surface for Norrie, but he has put those doubts to rest with a run to the Final of Queens in his last tournament. I expect him to achieve his best showing at Wimbledon and reach Round 3, but there he could play Roger Federer. A close hard fought match that goes the way of the Swiss
Prediction: Round 3
13. Andy Murray – Age 34, ATP Ranking: 119
Wimbledon W/L Record: 57-10
2021 1st Round Opponent: Nikolas Basilashvili
Murray returns to Wimbledon after 3 years away from the Championships, reinvigorated for success. I think he can take advantage of an okay draw to win a couple matches but questions surround how Murray’s body will cope with 5 set matches and the level of intensity needed to beat top seeded players in physically gruelling battles in the 2nd week
Prediction: Round 4
14. Dan Evans – Age 31, ATP Ranking: 26
Wimbledon W/L Record: 4-5
2021 1st Round Opponent: Feliciano Lopez
A tough matchup in Round 1 against 2019 Queens Champion Feliciano Lopez that could go either way. I think in his form Evans can win it though and take advantage of his draw and having home crowd support to make his best run at a Slam in his career
Prediction: Quarter Finals
15. Johanna Konta – Age 30, WTA Ranking: 30
Wimbledon W/L Record: 11-8
2021 1st Round Opponent: Katerina Siniakova
Konta loves the grass – she has reached the Quarter Finals at Wimbledon on 2 of the past 3 occasions and comes into this year’s Championships having won her 1st WTA title on Grass in Nottingham. Great preparation for another deep run, it is just whether the long standing knee issue she has been managing causes her any problems as the tournament goes on.
Prediction: Quarter Finals
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