Two things happened in Bad Homburg which have ‘convinced’ Andrea Petkovic that Iga Swiatek is going to win Wimbledon

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Iga Swiatek has struggled on the grass over recent years, but found some form last week in Bad Homburg.

For the first time in her career, Swiatek reached a grass-court final when she defeated Jasmine Paolini in the semi-finals of the Bad Homburg Open.

Failing in her bid to win the title, Swiatek lost to Jessica Pegula in straight sets 4-6, 5-7.

Fresh off the back of her best grass-court performance yet, Swiatek won her opening match at Wimbledon 7-5, 6-1 against Polina Kudermetova.

Swiatek isn’t considered a favorite to win Wimbledon by many, although one ex-WTA star is convinced she’s going to lift the trophy.

Andrea Petkovic explains the ‘superstitious’ reason why she’s backing Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon

During the latest edition of the Becker Petkovic Podcast, former world number nine Andrea Petkovic recalled what happened in Bad Homburg that ‘convinced’ her that Swiatek can win Wimbledon.

“I believe that Iga Swiatek will win the tournament. She’s not traditionally a good grass-court player. But I’ll tell you why,” she said.

“I was in Bad Homburg, and in two of her matches, a falcon circled over her head for ten minutes. Wow. I saw that, and I thought, that’s the sign. That’s the sign. She’ll win Wimbledon.

“I’m a superstitious person, I’m now firmly convinced that Iga Swiatek will win Wimbledon.”

Offering up a less superstitious reason, the German highlighted the changes Swiatek has made to her game that make her more effective on the grass.

“It’s not exactly a rational reason, but I saw that and the match against [Jasmine] Paolini in the semi-finals, where she won 6-1, 6-2. That was the best grass match I’ve ever seen her play, and I’ve seen almost all of her matches,” said Petkovic.

“She had a certain timing, and they adjusted her forehand a bit.

“She had a few more days than she usually has when she wins Roland Garros. I spoke to her in Bad Homburg, and she didn’t really take a break. She went straight to Mallorca for training and practised on grass there.

“They adjusted her forehand a bit; she no longer does such an extreme loop, but instead spins straight back.”

Petkovic then explained how Swiatek’s defeat in the final to Pegula could help drive her to Wimbledon glory.

“I thought she played an okay match against [Jessica] Pegula. She almost wanted it a little too much. You could see her crying afterwards when she lost the match,” she said.

“Pegula is a great grass-court player anyway. I don’t think it’s that bad.

“I think it’s better that she goes to Wimbledon with such a bitter defeat and now wants to show her best tennis more than ever, rather than coming to London with a tournament victory, feeling like ‘I know how it’s done on grass now’, but rather, this slight uncertainty, coupled with a newfound self-confidence.

“It’s a hot take, but I think Iga Swiatek will win Wimbledon.”

If Swiatek is to prove Petkovic right, she will have to significantly improve upon her previous best efforts at the All England Club,

Iga Swiatek’s record at Wimbledon

Of the four Grand Slam events, Swiatek has struggled the most at Wimbledon, winning just 71% of her matches at SW19.

Swiatek has reached the quarterfinals once before at Wimbledon, losing out to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in 2023.

She’ll be looking to return to the quarterfinals in 2025, and may well be in with a good chance of doing just that.

Iga Swiatek’s potential route to the Wimbledon quarterfinals

• 1R – Polina Kudermetova (won)
• 2R – Caty McNally
• 3R – Danielle Collins
• 4R – Elena Rybakina

She will likely be favored to beat Caty McNally in the second round, but could be faced with a tougher test in round three.

Danielle Collins beat Swiatek at the Italian Open earlier this year, getting the better of the Pole as their rivalry intensified.

If she were to beat Collins, she may then play 2022 champion Elena Rybakina in the fourth round, one of the best grass-court players in the women’s game.

Swiatek certainly won’t have it easy, but the five-time Grand Slam champion could well be one to look out for as the tournament progresses.

She’ll first focus on her second round match, as she takes on McNally for a place in the third round on Thursday, July 3.