Andrea Petkovic, Who Believes in Witchcraft, Calls Iga Swiatek Heavy Favorite to Win Wimbledon Because ‘Falcon Circled’ Above Her Head

Iga Swiatek has never progressed beyond the quarterfinals at Wimbledon where she will kick-start her campaign against Polina Kudermetova.

Andrea Petkovic, Who Believes in Witchcraft, Calls Iga Swiatek Heavy Favorite to Win Wimbledon Because ‘Falcon Circled’ Above Her Head

Andrea Petkovic, Iga Swiatek (Image via tennis MAGAZIN, X/WTA)

Iga Swiatek will win Wimbledon because a falcon circled above her head- according to former WTA player Andrea Petkovic. The former World No.9 for sure did not use reason here, as her prediction is solely based on superstition.

Before arriving in London, the Pole started her campaign on the grass swing at the Bad Homburg Open. During that tournament, Petkovic noticed a bird flying above Swiatek’s head.

Now to who I think will win Wimbledon for completely irrational reasons. During 2 matches in Bad Homburg, a falcon or a hawk or an eagle (I’m clearly not an ornithologist) was circling above Iga Swiatek’s head for minutes at end.

Andrea Petkovic wrote on Substack

The 24-year-old reached a grass-court final for the first time in her career at the Bad Homburg Open. But she failed to cross the final hurdle in the form of World No.3 Jessica Pegula, who became a champion on the surface for the second time (after last year’s Berlin Open).

Those who have followed me for awhile know that my toxic trait is that I believe in witchcraft and superstitions. I believe that the falcon, let’s say it was a falcon, was a sign that Iga will win Wimbledon. I actually also thought she played great in Bad Homburg so it’s not only the falcon. But the falcon definitely helps.

Andrea Petkovic added

Swiatek reached a final for the first time since winning her fourth Roland Garros title last year. At Wimbledon, however, the five-time Grand Slam champion has never reached the semifinal.

She was the quarterfinalist in 2023 and last year, Yulia Putintseva knocked her out in the third round. This year, Swiatek, in the first round, will square off against Russian ace Polina Kudermetova, who will play the main draw match at Wimbledon for the first time.

Iga Swiatek to play US Open mixed doubles with Casper Ruud

Because this year’s US Open mixed doubles will be held during the qualifying week, many top players signed up for this format, including Iga Swiatek. The former World No.1 will join forces with Casper Ruud and during the pre-tournament press conference at Wimbledon, Swiatek made her feelings known on playing alongside the Norwegian ace.

Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud
Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud (Image via X/DW Sports, Tennis Talks)

Casper does, it’s beautiful how he does it. It’s going to be a real pleasure to play with him; I hope we go far, even in mixed doubles. We won’t have much time to practice it beforehand, so I’ll focus on having fun and enjoying a different format.

Both Swiatek and Ruud played the US Open singles finals in 2022. While Swiatek was successful in lifting the title by beating Ons Jabeur, the 26-year-old couldn’t beat the now five-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.

The three-time Grand Slam finalist has pulled out of Wimbledon because of a knee injury. He has not yet played a tournament since his defeat to Nuno Borges in the second round of the French Open, where he was the finalist in 2022 and 2023.

Iga Swiatek gets a tough draw at Wimbledon

If Swiatek beats Kudermetova in the first round and secures a win over Jodie Anna Burrage or Caty McNally in the second round, then she could schedule a third-round match against Marta Kostyuk or Danielle Collins. Swiatek is projected to meet 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the fourth round.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (Image via X/Cycling on TNT Sports)

If Swiatek is successful in the last 16, then she could run into reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff or Daria Kasatkina in the quarterfinals. In the semifinal, she could face Pegula, Mirra Andreeva, or defending champion Barbora Krejcikova.

Swiatek then could set up a blockbuster clash in the final against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, last year’s finalist Jasmine Paolini, 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist Qinwen Zheng, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys or Jelena Ostapenko. Against the Latvian ace, Swiatek holds a 0-6 head-to-head record.

Also read: Stefanos Tsitsipas Casts Huge Doubt on his Future After Retiring from his Opening Round at Wimbledon