“I don’t think we’ll have a surprise winner,” Martina Navratilova believes experienced champions will prevail at the 2022 US Open

“I don’t think we’ll have a surprise winner,” Martina Navratilova believes experienced champions will prevail at the 2022 US Open

Martina Navratilova

Former World No. 1 Martina Navratilova like all tennis fans is looking forward to the 2022 US Open which commences on 29th August in New York as the final Slam of the season. Martina has been a 16-time champion at the Flushing Meadows with 4 titles in the singles, 4 titles in mixed-doubles and 9 titles in doubles over the course of her illustrious career.

Martina’s first title in the US Open came in 1977 when she won the doubles title with Betty Stove. Her first singles title came in 1983 when she defeated Chris Evert with her final title at the Grand Slam coming in 2006 partnering Bob Bryan to the title in what was the 59th major of her career and final title of her career winning it just a month away from her 50th birthday making her the oldest major winner.

Also Read: “Enough with this BLACK bias!” Naomi Osaka bashed on Twitter for ‘disrespectfully’ dismissing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, calls Serena Williams the ‘ultimate GOAT’

FS Video
YouTube video

“Maybe another first-time major winner,”: Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova

With Martina’s home slam coming, the American also made her predictions for the Grand Slam. “This time, I don’t think we’ll have a surprise winner, but maybe another first-time [major] winner. Like Madison Keys, who made the semifinals in Cincinnati. It’s the best she’s played since the start of the season. Could be Coco Gauff, the way she’s playing, too,” said Martina speaking with the WTA.

Upong being asked to pick some of the ‘dark horses’ this year, Martina said, “Daria Kasatkina, maybe? Jil Teichmann, she’s dangerous. Petra Kvitova, she played well in Cincinnati, but it hasn’t been that humid. She struggles in the humidity, so we’ll see what it’s like in New York. And Cincinnati champion Caroline Garcia. She’s been playing great.”

While Martina is unsure of the favourite as such, she has certainly hinted that an experienced player who has tasted the success of winning a major will be able to prevail this year once again and she expects the crowd’s involvement as one of the major factors to determine which player will come out on top and win the coveted title in the sport.

Also Read: “It’s not like you can copy what Serena Williams did,” Iga Swiatek not looking to follow the path laid by the American

Also Read: “Lose the first round and go home!” Tennis fans THRASH Nick Kyrgios for wanting the US Open to be over and demeaning fellow players