The women's singles draw at Wimbledon 2026 is wide open, with Aryna Sabalenka installed as the bookmakers' favourite at 7/2 with bet365 and William Hill. Reigning champion Iga Swiatek, who defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in last year's final, is priced at 9/1 with Sky Bet and Paddy Power to retain her SW19 title.
Anisimova's Resilience and Grass-Court Potential
Amanda Anisimova, the 24-year-old American sixth seed, responded to her humiliating defeat at Wimbledon by storming to the US Open final weeks later. Her attacking instincts—powerful hitting, crisp timing, and a readiness to go for her shots—make her a formidable force on grass. Despite an inconsistent, emotionally-driven style, her potential is considerable. In 2026, she reached the Australian Open quarter-finals—a career milestone—but exited Roland Garros in the third round. Bookmakers still hold her in high regard, and if she finds her stride early, she could trouble anyone in the draw.
Czech Contenders and Potential Matchups
A group of Czech players could influence the tournament. Karolina Muchova has a solid Grand Slam record but a curious anomaly: she has exited in the first round at Wimbledon for the past four years. Her variety and court craft are ideally suited to grass if she can gain traction. Barbora Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion and Wimbledon winner two summers ago, is in fine form. Her patient, methodical point construction can coax errors from bigger hitters, giving her a marginal advantage among leading challengers. Krejcikova may face a tough test as early as round two against French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, a fixture with upset potential. Should she navigate that, Muchova could await in the quarter-finals.
Serena Williams' Comeback and British Hopes
Serena Williams, at 44, returns to SW19 as a wildcard entry after a comeback at Queen's. She finds herself in the third quarter, widely regarded as one of the more accessible sections. Even at this stage, she retains sufficient serving power and aggressive intent to trouble most opponents. If the section opens favourably, she may only need to beat defending champion Swiatek and one of Ukraine's top performers—Elina Svitolina or Marta Kostyuk—to reach the quarter-finals. A decade removed from her last Wimbledon singles final, a title charge may be optimistic, but a semi-final berth remains within reach for the sport's finest ever player. For British fans, Emma Raducanu withdrew with a stress fracture just hours after confirming she would play, raising fresh concerns about her fitness. The 23-year-old former US Open champion has only competed in all four Grand Slams in a calendar year once in her career.
Odds and Predictions
Women's singles Wimbledon 2026 odds from William Hill: Aryna Sabalenka 7/2, Elena Rybakina 11/2, Iga Swiatek 9/1, Mirra Andreeva 9/1, Jessica Pegula 11/1, Madison Keys 14/1, Amanda Anisimova 16/1, BAR 25/1. On swift grass, decisive striking and composure typically settle tight encounters. Present form suggests those attributes favour Anisimova, while Krejcikova's tactical acumen and versatility render her a genuine threat. Wimbledon appears poised to reward sharp strategy and courage under pressure.
