WOMEN TO WATCH AT WIMBLEDON 2016
SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)
Age: 34
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US77,564,981 ($A103.95 million)
Career titles: 70
Grand slam titles: 21 (Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2105; French Open 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon 2002-03, 2009-10, 2012, 2015; US Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012-2014)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 79-10
Best Wimbledon results: champion 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015
The world No.1 has slipped up in the first two grand slam finals of the season but gets her best chance yet to equal Steffi Graf’s open-era record of 22 singles majors on her favourite surface.
GARBINE MUGURUZA (ESP)
Age: 22
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US8,798,067 ($A11.79 million)
Career titles: 3
Grand slam titles: 1 (French Open 2016)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 7-3
Best Wimbledon result: finalist 2015
A surprise runner-up last year but the Spaniard arrives this time around as a grand slam champion and world No.2 following her breakthrough win over Williams at Roland Garros.
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA (POL)
Age: 27
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US23,145,034 ($A31.02 million)
Career titles: 18
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 36-10
Best Wimbledon result: finalist 2012
The grasscourt major is easily the Pole’s most productive with two semi-final appearances as well as her run to the title match four years ago. Remains the best player yet to win a grand slam title.
ANGELIQUE KERBER (GER)
Age: 28
Ranking: 4
Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US12,406,351 ($A16.63 million)
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 1 (Australian Open 2016)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 14-8
Best Wimbledon result: semi-finalist 2012
The German is seeded to make the last four for a second time following her breakthrough Australian Open triumph and her wide-angled left-handed serve is tailor made for grass.
SIMONA HALEP (ROM)
Age: 24
Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US12,748,596 ($A17.09 million)
Career titles: 12
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 7-5
Best Wimbledon result: semi-finalist 2014
One semi-final aside, the Romanian has yet to make her mark at the All England Club but has otherwise been knocking on the door at the slams for the past three years.
PETRA KVITOVA (CZE)
Age: 26
Ranking: 11
Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US20,919,535 ($A28.04 million)
Career titles: 17
Grand slam titles: 2 (Wimbledon 2011, 2014)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 29-6
Best Wimbledon results: champion 2011, 2014
The two-time winner has dropped out of the world’s top 10 following an up-and-down season but has the pedigree and dangerous grasscourt game to once again challenge for tennis’s greatest prize.
BEST OUTSIDER
VENUS WILLIAMS (USA)
Age: 36
Ranking: 9
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US33,022,403 ($A44.26 million)
Career titles: 49
Grand slam titles: 7 (Wimbledon 2000-01, 2005, 2007-08; 2014; US Open 2000-01)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 76-13
Best Wimbledon results: champion 2000, 2001
Tough to call a five-time champion a dark horse but, at 36 and without a quarter-final appearance for six years, that’s what the American is. But still in the top 10 and an ever-threat.
BEST AUSTRALIAN HOPES
SAMANTHA STOSUR
Age: 32
Ranking: 16
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US16,116,136 ($A21.60 million)
Career titles: 8
Grand slam titles: 1 (US Open 2011)
Wimbledon win-loss record: 10-13
Best Wimbledon results: third round 2009, 2013, 2015
Has only strung two wins together on three occasions at SW19 but will be heartened by her return to the French Open semi-finals that has given the one-time grand slam champion a vital top-16 seeding.
DARIA GAVRILOVA
Age: 22
Ranking: 51
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US1,237,972 ($A1.66 million)
Career titles: 0
Grand slam titles: 0
Wimbledon win-loss record: 0-1
Best Wimbledon result: first round 2015
The WTA’s 2015 newcomer of the year has struggled to replicate her hot summer form but is a proven giantkiller who could go deep with a touch of luck and a decent draw.
