Sabalenka, Gauff lead cast of contenders

The following are five contenders for the Wimbledon women’s title with the Championships set to begin next Monday.

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ARYNA SABALENKA (BELARUS)

WORLD RANKING: 1

Sabalenka enjoyed a dominant 2024, capturing two Grand Slam titles but the Wimbledon crown continued to elude the 27-year-old as she was forced to pull out of the grasscourt major at the last minute due to a shoulder injury.

The three-time Grand Slam champion, who boasts a total of 20 tour-level titles, is yet to claim a trophy on grass despite having the power game — a booming serve and blistering forehand — perfectly suited to the sport's fastest surface.

Sabalenka’s runs to the semi-finals in her previous two Wimbledon campaigns in 2021 and 2023 highlight her consistency on the big stage, but she arrives at the All England Club having suffered heartbreak in the Australian and French Open finals.

Although she would have preferred to break her grasscourt duck, Sabalenka will be content with reaching the Berlin semi-finals in her only tune-up event before her latest quest for glory on the manicured lawns of London.

COCO GAUFF (US)

WORLD RANKING: 2