ED MCGROGAN, SENIOR EDITOR: Karolina Pliskova
The women’s draw is wide open, yes, but its champion will almost certainly be a player who hits the ball extremely hard. That’s a prerequisite for success at Wimbledon, and it eliminates a number of the top seeds from serious consideration. I’ll go with Pliskova, who avoids a stacked first quarter of the draw and, after nearly winning the 2016 U.S. Open and 2017 French Open, seems ready to put it all together.
NINA PANTIC, ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Karolina Pliskova
Fresh off a semifinal showing on clay in Paris, and reaching a final on grass in Eastbourne, Pliskova has transitioned to her preferred surface very efficiently. She as yet to prove herself at Wimbledon, but as the No. 3 seed, her confidence should be at an all-time high.
BRAD KALLET, ONLINE EDITOR: Petra Kvitova
What a story this would be. Just months after a home invasion, Kvitova looks to have as good a shot as anyone in England. The two-time champion isn’t fully healed—she may never be—but she was well enough to win Birmingham and can emerge in this wide-open field.
STEVE TIGNOR, SENIOR WRITER: Petra Kvitova
As with Roger Federer on the men's side, she’s an unlikely favorite. Kvitova has just returned from suffering a knife attack and may not be at full strength. But that may help by taking some pressure off. She fought to be ready in time to get back on Centre Court; she’ll fight to stay there as long as she can.
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MCGROGAN: Lucie Safarova
The veteran Czech snagged the final seed and was rewarded with a possible third-rounder against Angelique Kerber and a potential fourth-rounder against Garbine Muguruza. But Safarova can beat both former Wimbledon finalists. Her lefty serve will cause opponents problems, and she’s had a strong run on grass heading into SW19.
PANTIC: Caroline Garcia
Garcia may not be the most well-liked among her compatriots, but she emerged as the best Frenchwoman at the French Open. She’s due for an even bigger breakthrough at a major, and though she’s in a dangerous section of the draw (hello, Petra Kvitova), she’s proven she’s to have the necessary mental fortitude.
KALLET:Coco Vandeweghe
The Australian Open semifinalist is in a bit of a precarious position. She has a new coach in Pat Cash and had to withdraw in Birmingham last week with an ankle injury. She has a favorable draw, though, and has had success on grass in the past.
TIGNOR: Lucie Safarova
After two years of injuries and illness, the 2014 Wimbledon semifinalist and 2015 French Open finalist is seeded just 32nd. But she had a good week on grass in Birmingham, and the first seed she could play is No. 1 Angelique Kerber. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
