Who will win the women singles title at Wimbledon? Here are Martina Navratilova’s eight picks

With nine Wimbledon titles, Martina Navratilova is as qualified as anyone to talk about grass-court tennis. Her connection with the grass courts was extraordinary.

She captured nine Wimbledon singles titles — one more than Roger Federer — and recorded 120 match wins at the tournament, the most by any player at a Grand Slam in the Open Era. Between 1982 and 1988, she strung together a staggering 47-match winning streak on Wimbledon’s hallowed turf.

Hologic WTA Tour asked Navratilova to use her experience and expertise to assess this year’s contenders. Who caught her eye? And who does she believe is built to go deep on grass in 2025? Here’s her list of eight.

1) No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka

Wimbledon Win-Loss record: 11-5

Notable performances: Semifinalist 2021, 2023, did not play 2022, 2024

2025 on grass: Defeated in the Berlin quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion in the semifinals.

Navratilova's verdict: Looking at her record, it’s hard to think she’s not the favourite this year. 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. She’s in a good spot.

2) No. 2 Coco Gauff

Wimbledon W-L: 11-5

Notable performances: Round of 16 2019, 2021, 2024

2025 on grass: Lost her first (and only) match on grass in Berlin 6-3, 6-3 to eventual finalist Wang Xinyu.

Navratilova's verdict: 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 payoff 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.

3) No. 3 Jessica Pegula

Wimbledon W-L: 8-5

Notable performances: Quarterfinalist 2023

2025 on grass: Lost her first match in Berlin to Liudmila Samsonova. Won the Bad Homburg title beating Swiatek.

Navratilova's verdict: I think her weapon is consistency — and a good volley because she’s played a lot of doubles. I would love to see her come forward more often and finish points at net. If the draw is even slightly friendly, she could get to the semis and then she’s going to be confident, may be more aggressive.

4) No. 4 Jasmine Paolini

Wimbledon W-L: 6-4

Notable performances: Finalist 2024

2025 on grass: Lost her first match in Berlin to two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur. Lost to Swiatek in Bad Homburg semifinals.

Navratilova's verdict: It was fun to see her run last year, beating and back-to-back and taking to three sets in the final. She won Rome and is still a force to be reckoned with. I definitely see her living up to the seeding.

5) No. 6 Madison Keys

Wimbledon W-L: 25-10

Notable performances: Quarterfinalist 2015, 2023

2025 on grass: Reached the semifinals at Queen’s Club, losing to eventual champion Tatjana Maria; fell 7-5, 7-6 (6) to Marketa Vondrousova in Berlin.

Navratilova's verdict: After winning Australia, there’s a huge weight off her shoulders. 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.

6) No. 8 Iga Swiatek

Wimbledon W-L: 11-5

Notable performances: Quarterfinalist 2023

2025 on grass: Lost to Pegula in Bad Homburg final.

Navratilova's verdict: Just the fact that she hits the ball so well gives her a chance. Backhand, solid as a rock. Forehand is good enough, even though it doesn’t pay off as much on the grass as it does on clay.

7) No. 9 Paula Badosa

Wimbledon W-L: 10-5

Notable performances: Round of 16 2021, 2022, 2024

2025 on grass: Won first two matches Berlin, over wild card and before retiring (right hip injury) against Wang.

Navratilova's verdict: It was tough to watch her struggle with the back injury. It’s good to see her relatively healthy again, playing well in Berlin. Three Round of 16s … she’s got a game that plays well on grass. If I were a betting person — which I am not — I would be putting money on Keys and Badosa to go deep.

8) No. 11 Elena Rybakina

Wimbledon W-L: 19-3

Notable performances: Winner 2022, semifinalist 2024, quarterfinalist 2023

2025 on grass: Lost to in the Queen’s Club and in Berlin, both in the quarterfinals.

Navratilova's verdict: No weaknesses, good athlete. Not afraid to go forward and knock off the volley.

She’s got soft enough hands to hit drop shots and plays really smart, high-percentage tennis. She reminds me of Lindsay Davenport, the effortless way she hits the ball. She’s not swinging hard, but it’s a heavy ball.