With a second Serena Slam done and dusted, Serena Williams can now turn her attention to completing the calendar-year Grand Slam. Her fellow No. 1 and dancing partner Novak Djokovic also triumphed at Wimbledon, putting behind him the disappointment of the French Open.
They, unsurprisingly, lead the way in this month’s Top 25. (For our previous rankings, click here.)
1. Serena Williams (Previous: 1)
For Williams, the turning point at Wimbledon came when she survived Heather Watson in the third round. From then on, her level soared. The Serena Slam, a 21st major, and becoming the oldest woman in the Open era to claim a Grand Slam title made for a trio of outstanding accomplishments. Bring on New York.
2. Novak Djokovic (Previous: 2)
He suffered a demoralizing loss at the French Open and didn’t contest a Wimbledon tune-up. None of that stopped Djokovic at his second most successful Grand Slam. The Serb has two majors in one season for the first time since 2011, and he’ll be expected to match his haul of three from four years ago come the U.S. Open.
3. Roger Federer (Previous: 7)
Federer will be 34 next month. Federer will be 34 next month. Federer will be 34 next month. That’s worth repeating. He can still produce absolute magic. After one of his finest Wimbledon performances in the semifinals, he pushed Djokovic in the final, too. The turning point might have been when he dropped serve in the first set after breaking for 4-2. Rest up, Roger.
4. Garbine Muguruza (Previous: 19)
Was Muguruza due for an extended outing at a major? Yes. She’d had a history of pulling off upsets at Grand Slams, and it was only a matter of time before the consistency kicked in. The well-grounded Spaniard was also saying all the right things before and after losing the Wimbledon final to Williams.
5. Maria Sharapova (Previous: 5)
How Sharapova must have willed Watson on when the British baseliner was two points from upsetting Williams. Had the American exited, Sharapova might have been the one holding the Venus Rosewater dish for a second time. But we all know what ended up happening. It’s 17 straight losses, and counting.
6. Andy Murray (Previous: 4)
If Murray has the opportunity to play Federer at Wimbledon again, safe to say he won’t choose to receive first if given the choice—the Scot dropped serve to end each set. But with Federer serving perfectly, Murray’s task was made much more difficult. It’s still a huge disappointment for Murray, who came into Wimbledon probably playing the best tennis of his career.
7. Stan Wawrinka (Previous: 3)
As last Wednesday developed at the All England Club, it looked like we’d have two dream men’s semifinals featuring the ATP Top 4. Wawrinka, however, blew a 2-1 lead in sets to a player not exactly known for his mental toughness, Richard Gasquet. There were far too many errors from Wawrinka and out went his (great) chance to land in a maiden Wimbledon semifinal.
8. Timea Bacsinszky (Previous: 8)
Grass wasn’t supposed to be Bacsinszky’s surface, and the Swiss didn’t contest any turf tournaments prior to Wimbledon. But by reaching the quarterfinals at SW19 and overcoming a foe who had given her trouble in the past, Monica Niculescu, it ensured a continuation of her excellent 2015 form.
9. Victoria Azarenka (Previous: 14)
Sharapova must be sick of seeing Williams in her section of draws, especially at Grand Slams. The same can be said of Azarenka. She gets close to Williams, but as we’ve seen, applying the knockout punch is hugely difficult. Her ranking will keep on climbing, which will mean facing Williams far deeper into tournaments. The sport will benefit.
10. Lucie Safarova (Previous: 6)
On the heels of making the French Open final, Safarova didn’t exactly capitulate at Wimbledon. Having downed Sloane Stephens, I thought she’d done the hard part and would appear in the quarterfinals. But failing to serve out the first set against CoCo Vandeweghe cost her in the round of 16.