Petra Kvitova, Karolina Muchova tipped to impress at Wimbledon by Barbara Schett as Elena Rybakina defends title

Barbara Schett believes there are four favourites for the Wimbledon women’s title – but has tipped Karolina Muchova and Petra Kvitova to also challenge.

She hasn’t played a grass event ahead of competing at the All England Club, but Eurosport expert Schett has been impressed with her game.

“She is so talented. We saw it at the French Open when she reached the final. She comes to the net, she’s got a big serve, she slices, she uses drop shots. And in the past she’s already had good results in Wimbledon.

“So we’ll see how she’s digested that success from the French Open as well and how her approach is; if she doesn’t feel overwhelmed and pressured that she has to play well at Wimbledon.

“But she certainly has the game for a grass court, that’s for sure.”

Speaking about Kvitova’s chances at Wimbledon, where she is a two-time winner, Schett said: “She has no spin, so flat, she’s a lefty. She’s got a great serve and is very, very uncomfortable opponent.

“If she can stay fit and focused for the course of two weeks, I think she has a chance.”

Elena Rybakina will be the defending champion at Wimbledon, but Schett believes she could face competition from world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, and last year’s runner-up Ons Jabeur.

“We all know that in the past on the grass court, she hasn’t had too much success, and hasn’t felt 100% comfortable because of the forehand,” said Schett.

“I think this is the biggest issue because a lot of times she she’s a little bit late there. She has a big extreme grip and that causes her troubles.

“You can never look past her though because you have to view it as a whole and I’m sure Iga is getting better on the surface as well. And again as I said, the experience of playing on a grass court is massive and it’s another year for her.

“Aryna Sabalenka I watched play in Berlin and there were a lot of unforced errors there. She looked tired, but I think she’s also a player now who plays for the big events and is going to play her best tennis or try to play her best tennis at the Grand Slam events. And I think she can do that, also with Elena Rybakina.”

Jabeur took the first set off Rybakina in last year’s Wimbledon final before losing in three sets.

She hasn’t enjoyed her best season so far, but Schett thinks her playing style makes her a threat at Wimbledon.

“She’s very tricky to play on a grass court because of those slices, those drop shots. You have to adjust all the time.

“I think on grass courts her game is so much more effective than on clay courts. I love watching her, no matter which surface she plays on, but she’s very, very dangerous on grass courts.

“And we’ve seen that last year…she can do a lot of damage because the girls are not used to it. They’re not used to having to adjust, having to dig deep when there’s a slice, a slice to some bounce at all.

“So if she’s healthy, because she’s been struggling a lot with injuries and health issues, I’ll definitely put her right up there among all the other players I’ve mentioned.”

Schett also said she was “amazed” that five-time champion Venus Williams is set to play Wimbledon for a 24th time.

“I remember personally playing against Venus on Court No. 1 and she hit the first serve over 200 km/h. I thought next time I have to wear a helmet to go out there, it was so fast.

“And she’s written history there in Wimbledon, so I love it that she got a wild card. I love it that we’ll see her there and most likely Serena is going to be there to cheer her on.

“It’s a great story and we’ll see how she goes.”

Wimbledon starts on July 3.

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