Elena Rybakina is 'best grass player in the world' and Wimbledon favourite, says Andy Roddick
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Published 21/06/2023 at 08:25 GMT
Elena Rybakina started her grass season with a 6-4 6-2 win over qualifier Polina Kudermetova in Berlin. The world No. 3 is preparing for the defence of her Wimbledon title next month. Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick and Roger Federer’s former coach Paul Annacone both think Rybakina is the one to beat at SW19. Aryna Sabalenka also won her opener in Berlin.
Rybakina withdraws from French Open after struggling to breathe
Andy Roddick believes Elena Rybakina is the favourite to win Wimbledon as she is the “best grass-court player in the world”.
Rybakina won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last year after reaching the fourth round on her main-draw debut in 2021.
This year she has won two WTA 1000 titles - in Indian Wells and Rome - and also reached the final of the Australian Open and Miami Open.
Her win total of 30 is behind only world No. 1 Iga Swiatek (35) and world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka (35) on the WTA Tour.
Former world No. 1 Roddick thinks the switch to grass is only going to benefit Rybakina and her powerful game.
“She’s the best grass-court player in the world,” Roddick told Tennis Channel.
“You won’t find a bigger fan of Iga Swiatek than me, I have so much respect for her and so none of this is a slight to Iga, but she is unproven on this surface and what she does creating those rpms, the movement on clay, those things don’t translate to a grass court.
“Conversely everything that is a struggle for Rybakina on clay with the movement, slowing down her shots through the court, is additive at Wimbledon. I don’t know how you can’t make her the favourite.
“I would think Sabalenka would be the second favourite and then Iga third or fourth, but Iga is largely unproven on grass and I am sure she would probably tell you the same thing. She does have some challenges on this surface, especially if it’s playing quick.”
Rybakina, who pulled out of the French Open ahead of the third round due to illness, started her 2023 grass season with a 6-4 6-2 win over qualifier Polina Kudermetova in Berlin.
She is the second seed at the tournament behind Sabalenka, who started with a 6-3 6-2 win over Vera Zvonareva.
Swiatek is not playing the tournament but is set to compete on grass next week in Bad Homburg ahead of Wimbledon.
Roger Federer’s former coach Paul Annacone also sees Rybakina as the one to beat at Wimbledon.
“Rybakina has been there and done it. I feel most comfortable with her in terms of the nerves in terms of semis and finals, after what I saw last year, ice running through her veins, and with that serve and style of play.
“Sabalenka and Swiatek would be my next two.”
Wimbledon starts on July 3.
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