The Wimbledon Championships are around the corner and the draws have now been made.
The draw is one of the things fans look forward to most on the eve of a Grand Slam as they look at their favourite players’ path to glory.
The draw for the 123rd edition of the grass court major is an interesting one, especially for some of the seeded players.
That being said, the Tennis Gazette has identified five of Wimbledon’s seeded players who have tricky opening round encounters and could be in danger of an early exit.
Five seeded players in most danger of losing their first round match at Wimbledon
Barbora Krejčíková
Barbora Krejcikova shocked the world to win her first Wimbledon title last summer, by defeating Jasmine Paolini in three sets.
The Czech player’s time on court has been limited due to multiple injury concerns, and she is struggling with her fitness once again after withdrawing midway through the Eastbourne Open.
If the defending champion is heading to the All-England Club, she will have to defeat the exciting Alexandra Eala, who has reached her first WTA final at Eastbourne.
She will face the Wimbledon champion with no fear, plenty of confidence on the grass and the belief she can defeat a top player, which is a problem for Krejčíková, who is struggling with her fitness.
Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz has an impressive grass court record and he has built some momentum ahead of Wimbledon with a victory at the Stuttgart Open.
Despite an early loss at Queen’s the American is now into the semi-finals at the Eastbourne Open, an event he is trying to win for a record-extending fourth time.
But Fritz now knows he will open his Wimbledon account against big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The Frenchman has struggled this season and withdrew from Eastbourne due to injury.
But 21-year-old’s aggressive play, in addition to having arguably the fastest serve on tour is an ideal style for grass. Fritz will be put under pressure by the rising star and he will need to be on his game.
Emma Navarro
Emma Navarro reached very first Grand Slam quarter-final at Wimbledon a year ago.
This year she will return as a top 10 seeded player, but she will open her campaign against two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.
Kvitova, now 35, returned to the WTA Tour in February after maternity leave, but she has managed just one win.
She will retire this season meaning Kvitova is preparing for her last appearance at Wimbledon, which could propel her to a vintage performance that Navarro cannot underestimate, otherwise the American may be taking an early fight home.
Ugo Humbert
Ugo Humbert equalled his best result at Wimbledon in 2024 by reaching round four, only to be stopped by eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
But if he is to progress that far in 2025, he will need to defeat compatriot and ATP veteran Gael Monfils in the opening round.
The evergreen 38-year-old is always a threat for any opponent and at each tournament he enters, even though grass is his least successful surface.
Humbert has won three of his five meetings against Monfils and he claimed their previous contest at Wimbledon in 2019, which went to five sets.
History could repeat itself in 2025, and Humbert will need to be on his game to beat Monfils, who will have the crowd heavily invested in the contest.
Paula Badosa
Paula Badosa has suffered an injury-interrupted season, and she withdrew from the Berlin Open during her quarter-final match.
But she has been practicing at Wimbledon this week before her campaign begins, and she now knows she will face British number two Katie Boulter.
The 28-year-old reached the quarter-finals in Nottingham and has more matches on grass than her opponent this season.
Furthermore, Boulter will have the British crowd on her side and this could be a key factor in their encounter. In addition to the question marks surrounding Badosa’s fitness, the Spaniard has plenty to think ahead of her first match at Wimbledon.
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