When the sun begins to shine on the hallowed turf at SW19 in June and July that can only mean one thing for tennis fans.
It is almost time for the third Grand Slam of the year and the most prestigious tournament in the game’s history, the Wimbledon Championships.
There is no trophy more coveted than those offered on centre court at the conclusion of two pulsating weeks of action.
With the draw now made fans will look to see where their favourites have landed, but some of the top players have not been handed the easiest start.
Therefore, The Tennis Gazette will look at the three players in most danger of suffering a first round exit at Wimbledon.
Which players are at risk of first round exits at Wimbledon?
Iga Swiatek
Despite her exploits on clay, but Iga Swiatek has not had the easiest time on grass. Though the Pole has captured the Wimbledon junior title she has yet to replicate that form on the WTA Tour.
She did reach her first quarter-final at SW19 in 2023, but the French Open champion is not as comfortable on the slicker and low bouncing surface, nor does she have the same fear factor she possesses on clay.
Furthermore, Swiatek is up against Sofia Kenin in round one, who knows how to defeat top players early in majors. In fact the 25-year-old handed Coco Gauff a shock opening round exit at Wimbledon a year ago.
Now in better form and with experience of going deep in majors, the 2020 Australian Open champion has a real shot to cause another massive Wimbledon upset for the second successive year.
Francis Tiafoe
One player who would love to turn his season around at an event such as Wimbledon is Francis Tiafoe.
Since reaching April’s Houston Open final, the American has won just three matches and is now sitting just inside the world’s top 30.
Poor form, in addition to the injury that forced him to retire at Queen’s, does not bode well for Tiafoe, who will take on Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in the the opening round at Wimbledon.
He is having a solid season in which he reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career at the French Open.
Arnaldi achieved his career high ranking of 34 this season and enters the Wimbledon Championships with nothing to lose and everything to gain, which spells trouble for Tiafoe who is in desperate need of results.
Victoria Azarenka
Victoria Azarenka is set for her 16th appearance at Wimbledon in 2024, but she could suffer an exit at the first hurdle if she catches Sloane Stephens at her best.
The Belarusian suffered an upset loss to Mirra Andreeva at the French Open and she is in danger of suffering the same fate against the American, who has reached as far as the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
Azarenka reached the semi-finals in Berlin earlier this month but withdrew from this week’s Bad Homburg Open due to illness.
Since claiming the Open de Rouen title in April, Stephens has won just three matches, but if she can rediscover her form, she has the shots and athletic ability to defeat anyone on her day.
They have a close head to head record with Azarenka winning five of their nine meetings but if Stephens can find her best tennis, especially if the former World number one is not physically 100%, there could be an upset on the cards at Wimbledon.
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