TENNIS – Nadal may have decided against this year’s grass season but there are still seventeen Spanish players in the Gentlemen’s and Ladies draws at Wimbledon 2021.
Of the players in the two main draws, five are seeded. Davidovich Fokina is seeded 30, Carreno Busta is the number 11 seed, while Bautista Agut is number 8 seed in the men’s draw at the All England Lawn Tennis championship.
The two seeded players in the women’s draw are Garbine Mugiuruza, seeded 11 and Paula Badosa with a seeding of 30.
Suárez Navarro back in action on grass
Carla Suárez Navarro shared the good news of her cure from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer in April. She is now on her farewell tour before she hangs up her racquet.
In the first round she is up against the number one seed, Australian Ashleigh Barty. When asked in a pre-tournament interview how she felt about Carla’s return to the tour, Ashleigh had this to say.
“It’s incredible to have Carla back. When she came back on tour, it was just a sense of excitement from everyone. To know that she’s got this tremendous character of resilience and strength, longevity. She’s been on the tour for a long time at the very top of the game. I think for me to be able to experience opening Centre Court on Tuesday with her is going to be really cool.”
This could either be an incredible result, or Carla’s last time on the hallowed grass of Wimbledon. Either way, she will be on Centre Court and we wish her the best.
Bolsova and Badosa face off
What is certain is there will be at least one Spanish woman into the second round as Bolsova and Badosa meet in the first round.
Number 30 seed, Paula Badosa has had a good clay season culminating in a quarter-final place and a career high ranking of 33. However, her grass court play is not as strong, so how far Badosa gets in the tournament will be interesting.
Number 11 seed Muguruza starts on Court no. 2 at the All England Club against Fiona Ferro. Sorribes Tormo, meanwhile, is up against qualifier Ana Konjuh from Croatia.
Men’s draw is open for the Spaniards
The thirteen men in the Wimbledon 2021 men’s draw is fairly open for the Spanish. From an international perspective, the most interesting match could be Feliciano Lopez versus Britain’s Dan Evans. Evans is seeded 22 but Feliciano has made it to the quarters on three occasions at Wimbledon, so is no slouch on the grass.
Another interesting line-up is Ramos Vinolas versus Italy’s Fognini. Seeded 26, Fognini is given a slight edge in the pre-match stats for a win.
Despite missing the presence of Nadal, there is a lot of interest in the Spanish camp for Wimbledon 2021.
