Wimbledon 2016: Early Predictions Post-French Open

Despite the contrasting conditions of grass and clay courts, expectations for players at Wimbledon often change based on what happens at the French Open. 

Before the French Open, the WTA Tour's inaugural Mallorca Open, a new grass-court event, promoted Ana Ivanovic over Spain's Garbine Muguruza. Visit the tournament's site today, and it's all about newly crowned French Open champion Muguruza.

After defeating Serena Williams to capture the French Open, the Spaniard is now ranked No. 2 and suddenly in the chase for No. 1. 

Court surfaces aside, the finalists at this year's French Open provide a perfect segue into early predictions for Wimbledon. Like Williams and Muguruza, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

Could we see rematches of the French Open in both finals at Wimbledon?

Although it's difficult to predict outcomes of tournaments before draws are released, players' health and their performance at Roland Garros offer some indication of how they might compete at Wimbledon.

The following are early predictions for Wimbledon 2016. 

Roger Federer Continues to Struggle

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Roger Federer readies to hit a backhand during the 2016 BNL d'Italia.

Roger Federer is set to return to play at the Stuttgart grass-court tournament. He missed the French Open, ending a streak of 65 consecutive Grand Slam appearances.

Federer told the ATP World Tour that "It was much better for me to look forward to the rest of the season, rest of my life, really...I didn't want to have setback after setback and injure myself maybe further. In hindsight, that was definitely the right decision."

He says he's healthier, and, of course, grass is Federer's best surface. However, Federer's had far too little match play. The early prediction is his 2016 Wimbledon run ends by the third round. 

Garbine Muguruza Solidfies New Star Status

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Garbine Muguruza celebrates winning her first Grand Slam title at the 2016 French Open.

When Muguruza arrives at Wimbledon this year, she'll have more pressure and a target on her back.

She need only look at the struggles of Angelique Kerber, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic to understand the difficulty of dealing with newfound fame after winning a Grand Slam. 

However, Muguruza's had a more gradual introduction to stardom than the likes of Eugenie Bouchard. When Muguruza upset Williams in the second round of the 2014 French Open, she didn't fold in the next match. In fact, she reached the quarterfinals.

The early prediction is that Muguruza avoids the post first-Slam slump and reaches the finals again. 

Alexander Zverev Has Breakout Tournament

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Alexander Zverev slides into a play at the 2016 French Open.

Alexander Zverev failed to get past the older, more experienced Dominic Thiem at the French Open. However, Zverev gave fans a glimpse of his seemingly limitless talent. 

Zverev has been so impressive this year that Wimbledon.com ran a story on him in April with the headline, "Eye on Alexander Zverev: A world No. 1 in the making?"

The story included an eye-popping factoid from the teen's near upset over Rafael Nadal at Indian Wells. The average speed of the 6'6" teen's second serve was 104 mph, the same as Nadal's first. 

The early prediction is that Wimbledon will be Zverev's breakout Grand Slam with him reaching at least the fourth round. 

Maria Sharapova Doping News Overshadows Tournament

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Maria Sharapova at a press conference in March admitting to a positive drug test.

According to several published reports, Maria Sharapova had an anti-doping hearing in London in May. Those same reports hinted at a verdict being announced before Wimbledon.

Speculation about possible verdicts ranges from a four-year ban to being reinstated in time to play at the All England Club.

Ever since Sharapova announced in March that she tested positive for meldonium, a banned substance, the tennis community has been split on what punishment, if any, the five-time Grand Slam champion should face.

Regardless of the outcome, the announcement will overshadow the tournament for days. 

Andy Murray Has Another Awesome Wimbledon in Olympic Year

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Andy Murray carries the Union Jack while celebrating another medal win at the 2012 Olympics in London.

There are many similarities to this Olympic year and the last one. In 2012, Djokovic was No. 1 going into Wimbledon. Murray had a new coach, Ivan Lendl, and reached the quarterfinals, one round short of what was his career-best semifinal performance in 2011.

That year, Murray lost to David Ferrer. Like his performance against Djokovic in this year's French Open, against Ferrer, Murray took one set (second) but could not keep the intensity up. He ran out gas. 

Despite the loss, Murray went into Wimbledon feeling good about his game and his chances. Djokovic was the favorite with 7-4 odds, per Odds Shark, and Murray was given a 13-2 chance, behind Federer (7-2), who would win that year. 

The early prediction is that Murray returns to the finals at the All England Club but loses to Djokovic, again.  

Novak Djokovic Keeps Calendar Slam Hopes Alive

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Novak Djokovic shows off his new trophy after winning the 2016 French Open.

Djokovic hadn't even gotten off the clay at Roland Garros when talk turned to his chances of winning a calendar-year Slam. 

The No. 1 player already holds all four Slam titles simultaneously. The relief of having captured that elusive French Open title will only empower Djokovic to roll through the field at Wimbledon. 

The early prediction is that Djokovic will defend his title and head into the U.S. Open with calendar-Slam fever.