Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has named her three favourites to win the Wimbledon women’s title this year.
Navratilova believes the top two women in the WTA Rankings are the favourites to win the women’s singles title at Wimbledon, but there is a third candidate who is “not far behind”.
Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have been the two standout players in the WTA Tour in 2025 with the former winning the most titles so far this season (three) while she also lost four finals, including the Australian Open and French Open showpiece matches.
Her most recent Grand Slam final runners-up finish came at Roland Garros when she was beaten in three sets by Gauff.
The French Open title was Gauff’s first trophy of the campaign while she finished runner-up at two WTA 1000 events.
Sabalenka and Gauff also occupy the top two places in the rankings with the Belarusian well ahead of her American rival and many – including Navratilova – feel they are the players to beat Wimbledon.
Tennis legend Navratilova says losing the final in Paris could inspire Sabalenka – who has reached the semi-final twice at SW19 – to break her duck at Wimbledon.
“Looking at her record, it’s hard to think she’s not the favourite this year,” the 18-time Grand Slam singles winner told WTATennis.com. “She’s a complete player and has a good game for grass.
“It’s hard to find a weakness or an opening against her. I’m wondering if losing the French Open final will actually help motivate her. I think she finds herself in a good spot.”
Two-time major champion Gauff is yet to make it past the fourth round at Wimbledon and Navratilova added: “I think I’d put Coco as the second favourite. The great athletes always shine on grass. She’s the best athlete in the women’s game.
“That should pay off for her, and she’s flying high after winning the French Open. It’s just about managing her game, managing her body, her emotions. She’s found the happy medium, the equilibrium between being focused and fired up.”
Jessica Pegula currently sits at No 3 in the rankings and she is followed by Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen and Madison Keys.
And it is Keys that has been backed as the “third favourite” following her Australian Open title run at the start of the year with the all-time tennis great
“After winning Australia, there’s a huge weight off her shoulders,” the former world No. 1 stated.
“Weapons are what win on grass and she’s got them. I think she’s the third favourite to win the tournament, after Sabalenka and not far behind Gauff.”
