2019 Wimbledon Expert Picks: Men's and Women's Bonus Edition

We revealed our first edition of Wimbledon Expert Picks when the draws were made on Thursday—see the men's here, and the women's here. But it turned out that our roster of experts, including former players on both tours, was simply too vast to contain in just one edition.

Thus, a bonus edition of Wimbledon Expert Picks—where one person's champion is another's bust.

Men's Champion: Novak Djokovic

He is coming in hungry after failing to complete the non-calendar slam in Paris. He's still the holder of three out of four majors, and is plain and simply the toughest guy to beat if he’s on his game.

Women's Champion: Karolina Pliskova

Her play in Eastbourne was impeccable. Blowing players off the court with her kind of pace is magnified on grass. I also believe having Conchita Martinez in her corner can give Pliskova that final extra push she needs to win her first Slam.

Men's Dark Horse: Stefanos Tsitsipas

I feel he has the belief right now to win a Slam. That goes a long way for a young player. He also has wins over the each of the Big 3, including against Federer at a major. If he gets hot, his athleticism combined with his belief could put him over the top.

Women's Dark Horse: Alison Riske

She has a very strong sense of self-confidence on this surface, and won two titles during this grass season. She needs a little momentum, but if she starts rolling, I believe she can beat the best in the game.

Men's Bust: Dominic Thiem

Hasn’t shown me that he’s comfortable with the movement and timing of ball striking on this surface. He is an exceptional player, but he the biggest gap in his level when the surface changes from red to green.

Women's Bust: Naomi Osaka

Hasn’t looked quite settled in her play since the disruption in her camp. I also feels she needs a bit more time than grass allows to strike her devastating groundstrokes.

Men's Champion: Novak Djokovic

The defending champion always plays well at Wimby because he has the best return of serve in history. Also, he can't face Nadal or Federer in his half of the draw.

Women's Champion: Karolina Pliskova

Karolina is on fire on  grass right now. Her big serve and aggressive returns should be very effective at Wimbledon. Also, she is in the much easier bottom half of the draw.

Men's Dark Horse: Sam Querrey

If Sam can get past his first-round match against Thiem (whose best showing at Wimbledon is the fourth round), his draw opens up. Sam's game is perfectly suited for Wimbledon as proven by his past wins over Murray and Djokovic.

Women's Dark Horse: Amanda Anisimova

Amanda is coming to Wimbledon with a lot of confidence having just made semi-finals at Roland Garros. Her backhand is already one of the best in the world. Although she is in the difficult top half, her nearby top seed, Kvitova, has serious injury concerns.

Men's Bust: Kevin Anderson

A lack of match play in 2019; a difficult-first round opponent, Herbert; runner-up points to defend: this is probably not Kevin's year to win.

Women's Bust: Naomi Osaka

Naomi has lost to her first-round opponent, Putintseva, twice in straight sets—including a few days ago in Birmingham. Also, she's not playing at her best level at the moment.

Men's Champion: Stefanos Tsitsipas

Some young gun has to break the cycle of the Big 3, and Tsitsipas appears to have the full package—including upstairs. Besides, picking Roger to win Wimbledon is too easy.

Women's Champion: Petra Kvitova

Nearly won in Australia—she'll cap her incredible comeback with a third title at the place where it all started, eight years ago.

Men's Dark Horse: Feliciano Lopez

Coming off his maraton win at Queen's Club, and so good on grass, he has an interesting draw for a non-seed: Giron R1, unpredictable Khachanov R2, with Bautista Agut and Zverev in his section. Could see him making an improbable run to the second week, or even the quarterfinals.

Women's Dark Horse: Garbine Muguruza

Not sure you can call a former champions darkhorse, but she’s ranked 27th, so she fits the bill. Has shown flashes of greatness this year: vs. Serena and Bertens at Indian Wells; vs. Svitolina in Paris.

Men's Bust: Alexander Zverev

Building momentum, but a modest track record at Wimbledon—just one trip to fourth round, two years ago—and that was with a favorable draw.

Women's Bust: Elina Svitolina

Just 2-7 since making the Indian Wells semifinals. No wins on grass in two events post-French Open.

Men's Champion: Novak Djokovic

I feel he has no immediate danger in his section. Will be able to play himself into the tournament and wouldn't have to to play Federer or Nadal until the final.

Women's Champion: Karolina Pliskova

Coming off a great week at Eastbourne. I just think it is her time, and Conchita Martinez will help her manage emotions and expectations that come about when you progress to the latter stages of a Grand Slam.

Men's Dark Horse: Nick Kyrgios

Call me crazy, but I am still a believer in his talent and ability. Has a tough draw—including a likely meeting with Nadal in the second round—which might lead to greater focus.

Women's Dark Horse: Sofia Kenin

She is playing with lots of confidence after winning her first grass-court title. Has a winner’s mentality.

Men's Bust: Rafael Nadal

History will tell you that Rafa, is vulnerable in the first week. He has an absolutely brutal draw and possible opponents have lots of firepower.

Women's Bust: Sloane Stephens

Has not had good form on grass in her career. Don’t think her game translates perfectly to the surface.

Men's Champion: Rafael Nadal

Playing too well not to win another Wimbledon title.

Women's Champion: Madison Keys

Clears the grass-court hurdle while the other half beats on each other.

Women's Dark Horse: Sofia Kenin

Playing well and mentally tough enough to come through easier half.

Men's Dark Horse: Reilly Opelka

Good early draw helps him get the confidence to go with big game.

Men's Bust: Kevin Anderson

Elbow not right, so he can’t repeat his terrific ‘18 run.

Women's Bust: Elina Svitolina

Little confidence this year and no track record on grass.

Men's Champion: Novak Djokovic

Women's Champion: Ashleigh Barty

Men's Dark Horse: Sam Querrey

Women's Dark Horse: Maria Sakkari

Men's Bust: Alexander Zverev

Women's Bust: Elina Svitolina

Men's Champion: Roger Federer

The Big 3 still rule the majors, and Federer remains betterer on grass. A quarterfinal performance would see him pass Jimmy Connors for the most all-time match wins on this surface, and a ninth title would put him within six of the Hall of Famer, at 103.

Women's Champion: Karolina Pliskova

Six of the last nine Slams have had first-time winners. Why not her? Pliskova's serve is huge. Plus, she gets the Conchita bump. Martinez coached Muguruza to her first major title at Wimbledon in 2016. Now it’s Pliskova’s turn.

Men's Dark Horse: Nick Kyrgios

Nick plays well when motivated, and a potential second-round match against Nadal serves as an elixir to injury and catalyst to compete at his highest level.

Women's Dark Horse: Sofia Kenin

Enters at her career-high ranking with a grass court title at Mallorca. Her fight and desire to win are world class. A victory over Serena at Roland Garros proved she has no fear. Bring on a major breakthrough.

Men's Bust: Dominic Thiem

He’s lost in the first or second round in four of his five previous appearances at Wimbledon, and drew a tough opening match against a rejuvenated Querrey.

Women's Bust: The Ash Barty Quarter

With six Grand Slam winners and four former Wimbledon champions, many favorites will get caught in a mine field. Whoever survives may not have the stamina to reach the finish line.