Race against time for the Olympic champion. Belinda Bencic and the Curse of Wimbledon.

Belinda Bencic loves Wimbledon – but so far it hasn’t been mutual. After the misstep in the final of the lawn tournament in Berlin, this year could also be under a bad star.

Maybe Bencic was lucky in the end. Investigations after the unfortunate slip in Berlin revealed no serious injuries in the left ankle. It’s not broken, no ligaments are torn. Nevertheless, it will be a race against time to get fit again by next Monday or Tuesday and to gain confidence in the movements and the resilience of the foot.

It would be a shame, because Bencic actually has everything to be a high-flyer on grass. This is proven by her junior victory in Wimbledon in 2013, she won her first WTA tournament two years later in Eastbourne, also on a green surface, and there are now three more WTA finals on grass. And yet there has been a lot of drama at Wimbledon, but no real success. In 2016 she had to give up in tears because of a wrist injury, last year she was a big favorite in the first round against world number 102 Kaja Juvan and was completely off the mark. Two rounds of 16 are the meager result so far.

According to the seeding list – Bencic is number 14 – it should be at least this year. If the foot holds. In the completely unpredictable women’s tennis, an exploit by the Olympic champion would actually be overdue.

Golubic’s favorite tournament

Surprisingly, the Palmarès of Viktorija Golubic (WTA 51) in Wimbledon reads more pleasantly. 3rd round two years ago, even the quarter-finals twelve months ago, the Zurich native was not more successful in any Grand Slam tournament. With the semifinals two weeks ago in Nottingham, she at least indicated that she could be good for a surprise this year.

On the other hand, Jil Teichmann’s game, which is based on topspin and dodges, is less suitable for lawns, even if she could be quite competitive with her strong serve. She has never won a game at Wimbledon, but as number 18 on the seed list she can at least hope for a favorable draw.

Two of the Swiss are particularly affected by the lack of WTA points this year. Bencic misses the chance to make a big jump back into the top ten, Golubic cannot replace their points and will probably even fall out of the top 100. After all: Bencic stepped in tournaments without ranking points (Olympics, Billie Jean King Cup). very often convincing.

Premiere for Hüsler and Ritschard

The Swiss men stand in the shadow of the women. Roger Federer is missing for the first time in 24 years (the tournament was canceled in 2020 due to Corona.). Stan Wawrinka (ATP 265) is there thanks to a wildcard, but even before his long injury break he never made it past the quarter-finals in south-west London. Henri Laaksonen (ATP 95) also feels much more comfortable on sand than on grass.

The development of the other Davis Cup players this year is pleasing. With Marc-Andrea Hüsler (ATP 104) and Alexander Ritschard (ATP 192), two made it into the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time via qualification.

Despite the absence of Roger Federer, there are four Swiss in the main Wimbledon tableau with Stan Wawrinka and Henri Laaksonen.

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