Dark-Horse Contenders to Win Wimbledon 2015
The emerald-colored lawns have been trimmed, the strawberries and cream prepared and the white clothing freshly tailored, all while Rufus the Hawk prowls above the grounds.
Yes, it’s finally time for Wimbledon, that annual soiree mixing elegance and tradition. As tennis’ most prestigious Grand Slam, transfixed eyes will be on the All England Club over the next two weeks.
But which players will survive long enough to walk away with the golden hardware?
Beyond past champions like Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova, there are several players hovering below the radar who have the pedigree and talent to make some serious noise.
So, here is a deeper look at a few men and women poised to emerge as dark-horse contenders at Wimbledon.
Angelique Kerber
1 of 6
Seed: 10th
Best Wimbledon Result: Semifinals (2012)
Angelique Kerber has been on a roll the last two months, winning three tournaments and moving back into the top 10. She's peaking at exactly the right moment heading into her best Grand Slam.
Kerber's most recent triumph came last week on the turf in Birmingham, where she endured a stiff challenge from Karolina Pliskova for her first title on grass. Along the way, she also ousted accomplished players on the surface like Tsvetana Pironkova, Jelena Jankovic and Sabine Lisicki.
Can that momentum continue at the All England Club?
Centre Court is a very comfortable place for the German. She's performed well there in the past, making the semifinals in 2012 and toppling Maria Sharapova on her way to the quarterfinals last year.
Based off the way she's played lately, Kerber could be circling another deep run.
Agnieszka Radwanska
2 of 6
Seed: 13th
Best Wimbledon Result: Runner-up (2012)
Agnieszka Radwanska had sky-high expectations heading into 2015. With Martina Navratilova in her coaching box, the Pole looked ready to take the next step and challenge for her first Grand Slam trophy.
Things haven't gone quite according to plan.
A string of disappointing losses—including a first-round exit at the French Open—and the early dissolution of her partnership with Navratilova have Radwanska outside the top 10. Now, she's desperately trying to stop her slide.
Perhaps a switch to the grass is exactly the tonic she needs.
Expressing her desire for a fresh start after that nightmare loss in Paris, Radwanska has looked rejuvenated lately. On the Nottingham lawns, she made her first semifinal in over two months, a feat she has equalled this week in Eastbourne.
A savvy tactician and versatile athlete, Radwanska's skills have always been well-suited to the grass. And she has plenty of experience going far at Wimbledon.
Radwanska has reached at least the quarterfinals four times at the All England Club, including her runner-up finish in 2012 and semifinal appearance the following year. Her comfort level on Centre Court can't be understated. Should the draw break her way, expect to see Radwanska hanging around awhile.
Sabine Lisicki
3 of 6
Seed: 18th
Best Wimbledon Result: Runner-up (2013)
Those pristine Wimbledon lawns have a transformative effect on Sabine Lisicki.
The 25-year-old has never advanced past the fourth round at any of the other three majors, but at the All England Club, she’s compiled a 23-6 record with five trips to the quarterfinals, including her runner-up finish in 2013.
Nicknamed “Boom Boom” because of her humongous serve and flat forehand, Lisicki is an artist on grass. The surface allows her to put constant pressure on opponents and keep points short because of the pace of her shots. That formula should carry her to success once again.
After a (predictably) rough clay-court swing, the German looked rejuvenated on the turf in Birmingham and made the semifinals there. But in London, she’ll have to navigate through a tough draw.
Should Lisicki advance to the third round, she could face Timea Bacsinszky, Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber in succession. That’s an extremely formidable trio of players, but Lisicki’s track record at Wimbledon—and those devastating serves—will give her an edge.
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Marin Cilic
4 of 6
Seed: Ninth
Best Wimbledon Result: Quarterfinals (2014)
Few expected Marin Cilic to ever win a major. But the lanky Croat defied the naysayers last September, storming through the U.S. Open for his maiden Grand Slam.
Bludgeoning his way past Tomas Berdych, Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori, Cilic entered a zone rarely seen before. The extraordinary pace on his shots left those in his wake lunging at air.
Unfortunately, that Cinderella run came to an end soon after when he injured his right shoulder. Though he competed at the 2014 World Tour Finals, lingering pain forced him to miss this year's Australian Open.
The recovery process was so tedious that Cilic didn't even start competing regularly again until April. With only 19 matches under his belt this season, the world No. 9 is still trying to work his way back into shape. But he may finally be picking up steam.
A fourth-round run at the French Open was a nice start for Cilic. Last week in Stuttgart, he even made the semifinals. Slowly but surely, he's piecing his game back together. And his tenacious baseline skills and lateral quickness are a good fit on the Wimbledon lawns.
It's tough to believe Cilic is 6'6" with the way he effortlessly glides around the court. That agility helped him reach the quarterfinals at the All England Club for the first time last year, a feat he thinks he'll be able to surpass.
The tutelage of Goran Ivanisevic is an underrated wild card. But the experience of being crowned a Grand Slam champion has transformed his confidence. Cilic believes he can do it again. Maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to pull off another shocker.
Tomas Berdych
5 of 6
Seed: Sixth
Best Wimbledon Result: Runner-up (2010)
When ranking the best active players to have never won a Grand Slam title, Tomas Berdych’s name might top that list.
The Czech, 29, has no trouble surviving until the latter stages of majors, compiling 12 quarterfinal appearances so far in his career. But taking that next step has proven an elusive endeavor.
Blessed with powerful shots, swift movement and those tree-trunk legs, Berdych is an imposing presence on the court. Matches are often on his racket, and when he’s firing on all cylinders—look out.
This season he’s been Mr. Consistent. In the 11 events Berdych has entered, he’s reached the quarterfinals 10 times. While yet to capture a title, the world No. 6 has reached three finals (Doha, Rotterdam and Monte Carlo).
He seems more confident and poised on the court, no doubt thanks to the 37 wins he’s already racked up in 2015. While his departure in the fourth round at the French Open came as a disappointment, Berdych will be eager to make amends at the All England Club.
Wimbledon is where Berdych dethroned the great Roger Federer in 2010 en route to the only major final berth of his career. He’s reached the quarterfinals two others times (2007 and 2013) and is more than familiar with the intricacies of those courts.
What may boost his chances this year is the presence of Dani Vallverdu in his coaching box. Vallverdu helped guide Andy Murray to the Wimbledon title in 2013 and has been a key addition to the Czech’s team.
If the two can continue to produce magic on the court, Berdych will be a very dangerous player this next fortnight.
Milos Raonic
6 of 6
Seed: Seventh
Best Wimbledon Result: Semifinals (2014)
Milos Raonic is on the precipice of doing what the Big Four have made so routine the last decade: winning a Grand Slam title.
The Canadian is stocked with one of the most lethal serves in the world, a brute-force weapon that can control the momentum of a match. Aided by his relentless work ethic and the wisdom of coach Ivan Ljubicic, Raonic has steadily improved other aspects of his game.
Yet injury woes have impeded his progress.
While playing the Madrid Open in May, Raonic hurt his right foot and was forced to undergo surgery. That ailment knocked him out of Rome and the French Open, robbing him of a chance to move up in the rankings.
Raonic didn't sit idly by during that layoff, however, telling Tennis.com’s Matt Cronin: “I think I have improved my mental side significantly and I have given myself more tools to use. I just needed my body to catch up a little bit, and therefore, I think I can do great at Wimbledon.”
It's a positive sign that Raonic was able to keep his head up during what could have been a demoralizing setback. His sights are still firmly set on fulfilling his dreams.
Wimbledon would seem a good place to make them happen. Raonic reached the first major semifinal of his career last year at the All England Club, taking out Kei Nishikori and Nick Kyrgios in the process. Though Roger Federer ultimately brushed him aside, he'll have plenty more opportunities on the grass thanks to his devastating power.
If Raonic is close to 100 percent physically, opponents will soon have to fear the sleeve.
All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com and WTATennis.com unless otherwise noted.
Joe Kennard is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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