EXCLUSIVE: Rick Macci backs Elena Rybakina and Karolina Muchova over Iga Swiatek to win 2023 Wimbledon
Rybakina defeated Ons Jabeur in the final in three sets to lift her first Wimbledon title last year.
Elena Rybakina, Rick Macci, Karolina Muchova (Images via WTA, Facebook, Twitter)
In a long interview with FirstSportz, Serena Williams‘ childhood coach Rick Macci talked about various things happening in the tennis world right now. Macci revealed who he thinks could possibly be crowned as the Wimbledon champion at the All-England Club, starting next week.
Macci chose defending champion Elena Rybakina and 2023 French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova over Iga Swiatek as the favorites in ladies’ singles but asserted that the Pole would not easily give the chance to anyone to win the tournament.
Rybakina defeated Ons Jabeur in the final in three sets to lift her first Wimbledon title last year. On the other hand, Muchova, after a thrilling victory over Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(7-5), 6-7(5-7), 7-5 reached the summit clash only to lose to Swiatek in three sets 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. Macci opined that Rybakina’s big serve and shorter points can give her an edge over other players. The 68-year-old then praised Muchova’s game and backed her to win her first Grand Slam title.
“My favorite would be Rybakina because I feel with her serve and shorter points, she has a chance. And also, Muchova who got to the finals of the French Open. I love her game. I think with her chip, drop shot, and volley capability, if she gets a good draw, she might win her first Grand Slam. But Iga mentally is not gonna give it to anybody but it’s easier to get to her and win points on grass,” Macci said. Swiatek has always admitted that she struggles on grass courts and at Wimbledon, the four-time Grand Slam champion could only survive till the fourth round, in 2021.
Karolina Muchova and Elena Rybakina’s Wimbledon campaign
This year, the World No. 16 Karolina Muchova will kick start her Wimbledon campaign in a match against Jule Niemeier. Last year, her campaign at SW19 was stopped by Simona Halep in the first round 6-3, 6-2. The 26-year-old is yet to win a title this year and is on 25-8.
Elena Rybakina will meet Shelby Rogers in the first round at the grass-court major. She has two titles this season (Italian Open and Indian Wells Masters) and has a win/loss record of 31/8.
The Kazakh recently lost to Donna Vekic at the Berlin Open and after suffering from viral illness, she withdrew her name from the Eastbourne Internationals. Due to the same reason, she opted out of the French Open after reaching the third round.
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