Aryna Sabalenka may not be one of the frontrunners heading into Wimbledon this year.
Sabalenka suffered a shock quarter-final defeat to Diana Shnaider at Roland Garros this year, despite having led her opponent by a set and 4-1.
After losing 11 of the last 12 games in the match, Sabalenka said she felt like she wanted to quit tennis after another missed opportunity to add to her Grand Slam trophy haul.
Sabalenka will look to bounce back at Wimbledon, but Coco Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, has named three players he thinks are more likely to win the grass court major than the world number one.
Brad Gilbert names his three biggest Wimbledon contenders over Aryna Sabalenka
Looking ahead to the grass court season on The Big T Podcast, Gilbert was asked to name the three players he thinks are most likely to contend for the Wimbledon title.
Gilbert backed Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova, before speaking about Sabalenka’s recent struggles.
“Her [Rybakina] game I feel like is tailor made for this surface,” said Gilbert. “…I’ve got Swiatek at number two, but she hasn’t made a final since October last year
“…Number three, I’m going to go with Anisimova, even though she’s got a lot of points coming off from the final at Queen’s and the final of Wimbledon.
“Sabalenka [has been] struggling a little bit, especially after her loss at the French, said I want to quit tennis.”
What’s next for Aryna Sabalenka after shock French Open exit?
How does Aryna Sabalenka’s Wimbledon record compare to Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova?
Although it is a bold call from Gilbert not to put world number one Sabalenka in his top three contenders for the Wimbledon title, she is the only player of the four who has never reached the final at SW19 before.
Sabalenka has won 73% of her matches at Wimbledon, but she has never surpassed the semi-finals after losing at this stage in 2021, 2023 and 2025.
Last year, Sabalenka lost to Anisimova at Wimbledon, becoming her third semi-final loss after being beaten by Karolina Pliskova in 2021 and Ons Jabeur in 2023.
Gilbert’s two leading contenders are both former Wimbledon champions, with Rybakina winning the title in 2022, while Swiatek claimed her first title at the grass court major last year.
| Win-loss Record at Wimbledon | Best result at Wimbledon | |
| Aryna Sabalenka | 16-6 (73%) | Semi-final (2021, 2023 & 2025) |
| Elena Rybakina | 21-4 (84%) | Won the title (2022) |
| Iga Swiatek | 18-5 (78%) | Won the title (2025) |
| Amanda Anisimova | 11-4 (73%) | Final (2025) |
Sabalenka has never won a grass court title at any tournament, but she will be hoping to change this at the Berlin Open.
The Berlin Open begins on Monday, June 15, and will also see Serena Williams play doubles with Karolina Muchova as she continues her comeback.
