Wimbledon 2025 is poised to be a thrilling tournament in the women's singles draw, with familiar faces like Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff leading the charge, but the unpredictable nature of the All England Club could easily pave the way for a surprise champion.

The Top Contenders

Aryna Sabalenka enters Wimbledon as the top seed and a strong favorite, currently ranked No. 1 in the world. Despite a remarkable season with three titles and finalist appearances at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, she has struggled to clinch the final victory in major tournaments. Sabalenka's powerful game and impressive track record on grass, including two prior semifinal appearances at Wimbledon, make her a formidable opponent. However, she faces a challenging draw, potentially meeting the 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova in the third round and two-time semifinalist Elina Svitolina in the fourth.

Coco Gauff, the second seed, arrives at Wimbledon fresh off her French Open title. Gauff is aiming for a rare "Channel Slam," a feat last accomplished by Serena Williams in 2015, but acknowledges the difficulty of transitioning from clay to grass. While her athleticism and baseline power are well-suited for hard and clay courts, Gauff has yet to find the same level of success on grass, with her best Wimbledon result being a fourth-round appearance. Gauff faces Dayana Yastremska in the first round, and a potentially tricky draw that could include Victoria Azarenka in the second round and Sofia Kenin in the third.

The Field of Challengers

Several other players could contend for the title:

• Elena Rybakina: The 2022 Wimbledon champion.
• Jessica Pegula: Riding high after a title win in Bad Homburg.
• Marketa Vondrousova: The 2023 Wimbledon champion, known for her versatility and recent title in Berlin.
• Iga Swiatek: Despite grass not being her favorite surface, her status makes her a contender.

The Dark Horses

Wimbledon's history of unpredictable results suggests that a less-heralded player could emerge as a contender. Some potential dark horses include:

• Madison Keys: A proven grass-court player with the potential to make a deep run.
• Amanda Anisimova: With odds at 39/1, Anisimova could take advantage of a favorable draw.
• Katie Boulter: The British No. 2 is unseeded and feels she has "nothing to lose".
• Jasmine Paolini: Last year's runner-up.

Early Predictions

While Sabalenka and Gauff are the top seeds, the women's draw is considered open, with several players capable of making a deep run. A SportsLine tennis expert is fading Gauff in their best bets. One prediction sees Sabalenka defeating Keys in the quarterfinals, Pegula also reaching the quarterfinals, and Gauff defeating Swiatek in another quarterfinal match. Ultimately, this prediction forecasts a final between Sabalenka and Gauff, with Sabalenka emerging as the champion. However, given Wimbledon's penchant for surprises, the stage is set for an exciting and unpredictable tournament.