Top Wimbledon contenders for the women's title

If the last decade-plus has taught us anything about Wimbledon, it’s that the grass rewards the players with most lethal weaponry, though players with a little variety can make some hay, too.

Here’s a look ahead at the contenders for this year’s trophy:

1

Garbine Muguruza

The defending champ’s been to two of the last three Wimbledon finals, and has some elite defensive skills to go with her blistering power. She has a strong case to make for being the favorite this year.

2

Serena Williams

Serena impressed in her return to Slam tennis at Roland Garros, making the fourth round before a pectoral injury ended her tournament. Although she was initially questionable for Wimbledon, her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, said she’ll be ready to contend for her eighth Wimbledon title, and that’s bad news for the rest of the field.

3

Petra Kvitova

Kvitova is a two-time champ who can make great players look really, really bad on grass. If she makes the second week, watch out.

4

Venus Williams

Venus has yet to find the form that landed her in two Slam finals last year, but she loves the grass and an inspired return to the final isn’t out of the question for the five-time champ. And if she happens to come against Serena, she can take confidence in beating her younger sister for the first time in four years, at Indian Wells.

5

Simona Halep

We finally get to see a freed Halep, who no longer has to carry the burden of trying to win her first Slam. Will it lift her game, or sap her intensity? Not even the world No. 1 knows as she gets used to hearing the words “Grand Slam champ” precede her name.

6

Madison Keys

At some point, Keys’ power game is bound to line up perfectly with her health and her Wimbledon draw. After making the semis at Roland Garros, she has to feel pretty good about her chances at Wimbledon—even though she’s never done better than the quarters at the event.

Darkest Horse —​ Angelique Kerber

A finalist two years ago, Kerber has the elite movement and natural lefty spin to help her succeed on grass, where other counterpunchers get blown off the court. If she meets Halep again, grass gives her the best chance to prevail.

A LANDMARK DOCUMENTARY DURING THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS EVENT IN SPORTS, CELEBRATING THE UNPARALLELED FEDERER-NADAL RIVALRY AND 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREATEST MATCH EVER PLAYED.

In association with All England Lawn & Tennis Club, Rock Paper Scissors Entertainment and Amblin Television.  Directed by Andrew Douglas.