Expert Picks: Predictions of Wimbledon's champions, sleepers and disappointments
Between our panel of six, five different women's winners were selected.
WATCH: Dominic Thiem won't appear on our list, as he's withdrawn from the tournament—along with Naomi Osaka, Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep.
Click here to view the complete men's and women's Wimbledon draws.
Men's Unseeded Sleeper
Matthew Fitzgerald—Andy Murray: Difficult to predict how his body will hold up in best of five, but the prospects of Sir Andy’s draw are much better than say, facing Stan Wawrinka to start at Roland Garros.
Cale Hammond—Pierre-Hugues Herbert: The Frenchman showed an insanely high level against Jannik Sinner in Paris. If Herbert can summon even half of that same ball-striking, he has a realistic chance to reach his first major quarterfinal.
David Kane—Sebastian Korda: The young American enjoyed a credible run to the Halle quarterfinals, and is likely due for a Grand Slam run after solid tour results in 2021.
Ed McGrogan—Kei Nishikori: He's made quarters at the last two Wimbledons, and his health shouldn't be in question after two five-set comebacks at Roland Garros. He also has a nice draw.
Jordaan Sanford—Sebastian Korda: He will have to battle against Alex de Minaur in his opener, but the 20-year-old just seamlessly beat Roberto Bautista Agut in Halle. His great season will continue regardless if a number sits next to his name.
Stephen Tignor—Jan-Lennard Struff: Struff upset a Top 10 Russian, Andrey Rublev, in the first round at Roland Garros. He’ll be equally dangerous when he faces Daniil Medvedev in the first round at Wimbledon**.**
![Britain's Andy Murray and Frabce's Pierre-Hugues Herbert return against Romania's Marius Copil and France's Ugo Humbert during their men's doubles first round match on the fourth day of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 4, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Glyn KIRK has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [first round] instead of [second round]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)](https://tennis.com/images/articles/3b0b42c5-c15c-425a-a17c-2de9854868e1/web.jpg)
Women's Unseeded Sleeper
Matthew Fitzgerald—Liudmila Samsonova: The Berlin champ has already shown how to win seven successive matches on grass, in nine days no less. Kaia Kanepi should be a great opening test.
Cale Hammond—Ann Li: There are plenty of options, but the American gets hot, she could make a run to the second week and beyond. Luckily for Li, who turns 21 on Saturday, Karolina Pliskova is the highest seed in her quarter.
David Kane—Jelena Ostapenko: Bet on her at your peril, but the 2018 semifinalist is playing good ball in Eastbourne, and at her best can out-hit almost anyone.
Ed McGrogan—Clara Tauson: More of a gut feeling than anything. But the 18-year-old on the rise could take advantage of Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova—who has never played a singles match at SW19—and go from there.
Jordaan Sanford—CoCo Vandeweghe: The American made an impressive run from qualifying to the semifinals of Birmingham last week. She's a two-time quarterfinalist at the major and could be peaking just in time.
Stephen Tignor—Camila Giorgi: As well as the Italian can play, it’s hard to believe she’s only ranked 75th. Giorgi reached the semis in Eastbourne, and could bring that momentum to SW19.
Bet on her at your peril, but the 2018 semifinalist is playing good ball in Eastbourne, and at her best can out-hit almost anyone. David Kane on Jelena Ostapenko
Men's Disappointment
Matthew Fitzgerald—Stefanos Tsitsipas: He hasn’t played since losing the Roland Garros final from two sets up. While a mental reset could prove advantageous, unseeded Frances Tiafoe and Vasek Pospisil will be chomping at the bit.
Cale Hammond—Karen Khachanov: I’m not sure what happened to the Russian's confidence, but with his extreme western-grip and extended take-back on his forehand, look for Mackenzie McDonald and his crisp, concise strokes to pull the upset.
David Kane—Daniil Medvedev: The enigmatic Russian pleasantly surprised many in Paris, but grass may be one specialty surface too many for the hard-court wizard.
Ed McGrogan—Pablo Carreno Busta: Sam Querrey, PCB's huge-serving, first-round opponent, has played on grass for three consecutive weeks. Two semifinal runs could signal fatigue, but I see it as a warning to the 11th seed.
Jordaan Sanford—Gael Monfils: Unfortunately, the Frenchman has only picked up two wins this year. His biggest opponent right now appears to be the man in the mirror.
Stephen Tignor—Roberto Bautista Agut: He’s the No. 8 seed and has been to the semis before, but a big server, Reilly Opelka, awaits in the third round.

Women's Disappointment
Matthew Fitzgerald—Ashleigh Barty: I’m not buying the 7 to 1 odds to win. There are too many question marks surrounding the world No. 1.
Cale Hammond—Iga Swiatek: The talented Pole experienced an incredible collapse against Daria Kasatkina in Eastbourne. The 20-year-old, who is probably the best in the world on clay, does not get to excel on grass just yet.
David Kane—Bianca Andreescu: The Canadian managed one match win on grass and has yet to channel her hard-court confidence. Her ability to peak without match-practice has abandoned her since Miami.
Ed McGrogan—Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova: Her breakthrough in Paris may have sapped her strength, and she was routed by Jelena Ostapenko in Eastbourne. I sense a letdown for the 16 seed.
Jordaan Sanford—Serena Williams: She's a 23-time Grand Slam champion and can undoubtably do anything, but with her lackluster Round of 16 performance in Paris she enters the event with little momentum.
Stephen Tignor—Iga Swiatek: She’s coming off a close win over Heather Watson and a not-so-close loss to Kasatkina. And she plays Hsieh Su-Wei in the first round.
Men's Champion
Matthew Fitzgerald—Novak Djokovic: He was in this very position five years ago. He’s consistently shown how to enter uncharted territory. Mark down piece No. 3 of 5 for Novak’s Golden Calendar Slam puzzle.
Cale Hammond—Novak Djokovic: Not only is the Serb light years better than anyone in the draw, his all-time best return only becomes more dangerous on a quick surface. Health permitting, Djokovic is the only logical pick to win the title.
David Kane—Roger Federer: While Djokovic is the obvious choice, the No. 1 endured a dip in form after winning Roland Garros in 2016; Federer should be fresher and more focused.
Ed McGrogan—Novak Djokovic: It's hard to imagine anyone seriously challenging the calendar-Slam contender until the semifinals, and by that point, there could be even more big-name attrition.
Jordaan Sanford—Novak Djokovic: It's hard to pick anyone not named Nole. Can this guy be stopped when locked in mentally and physically?
Stephen Tignor—Roger Federer: He didn’t show much in Halle, but his draw could help him shed the rust. Despite what happened in 2019, no one knows how to close at Wimbledon like Federer.
Despite what happened in 2019, no one knows how to close at Wimbledon like Roger Federer. Stephen Tignor
Women's Champion
Matthew Fitzgerald—Elena Rybakina: I don’t have an explanation other than I like the fact she’s returned to her pre-pandemic winning ways.
Cale Hammond—Ashleigh Barty: At some point in the very near future, Barty will win Wimbledon. Will it be this year? If she’s healthy, I think so.
David Kane—Ashleigh Barty: If the top seed is recovered from her clay-court ailments, the Aussie's game is best suited to grass of the big names, and is a former junior champ.
Ed McGrogan—Garbine Muguruza: You can talk yourself into a lot of potential champs in the top half of the draw, so I'm venturing to the bottom. Muguruza is hardly a sure thing, but on the right fortnight, she can stand alone.
Jordaan Sanford—Coco Gauff: The teen is known to pull off the unexpected, she did at the All England Club in 2019 with a breakout fourth-round run. Why not win the whole thing in 2021?
Stephen Tignor—Serena Williams: This is the one Serena has been waiting for. With Naomi Osaka out, and Ash Barty returning from injury, there’s no one she won’t be favored to beat.