By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Speaking at an ESPN conference call, both Chris Evert and John McEnroe peg Serena Williams as the one to beat at Wimbledon this year.
Photo Source: AP
2014 has not gone as expected in the Grand Slams for world No. 1 Serena Williams, but that hasn’t stopped experts from tabbing the five-time Wimbledon champion to get back on track on the hallowed lawns of the All England Tennis Club this summer.
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“I think it's going to be an interesting tournament for Serena,” three-time Wimbledon champion Chris Evert told reporters during an ESPN conference call on Tuesday. “I think there's going to be a lot of pressure on her because she did not do well in the last two Grand Slams, pretty much had bad losses. I think all eyes are going to be on how she's doing.”
Williams, who fell to Ana Ivanovic in the round of 16 at the Australian Open, then failed in her Roland Garros title defense when she was stunned by Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in the second round, was knocked out of the round of 16 at Wimbledon last year by eventual finalist Sabine Lisicki. Still, she has won Wimbedon in three of the last five years, and the 32-year-old owns a 70-9 career record at the Championships, reaching seven finals.
“If she can get through the first week, that's going to be the big thing,” Evert said. “Once she gets through the first week, gets the ball rolling, gets more comfortable on the grass, she'll be unbeatable.”
John McEnroe also feels that Williams will be the one raising the Venus Rosewater Dish at the conclusion of this Wimbledon fortnight. “I still think, especially on grass, that Serena, if she brings out her "A" game, is the best player without a doubt to win it,” he said. “Serena's game is very much made for the grass.”
Williams currently owns 17 Grand Slam titles and is just one shy of tying Evert and Martina Navratilova for fourth on the all-time list. Only Helen Wills Moody (19), Steffi Graf (22) and Margaret Court (24) have more.