The third Major of the season is set to get underway on Monday.  The draw was released earlier today and everyone probably ran to see which half of the draw their favorite player was in, then on closer inspection, which quarter of the draw.

The threats are obvious if you have been following the sport; yet, there are always a few dark horses, players that can elevate their game at the right moment to get the upset on any given day.  It’s always exciting to theorize as to who these players may be; however, that’s the beauty about individual sports, it can be someone you never even thought had a chance.  On grass more than on any other surface, unexpected upsets are more common.  I remember the year I flew to London for Wimbledon, 2002.  I was so convinced that I would be seeing my favorite player in the second week that I almost fell over when I landed to hear the horrific news that [13] Pete Sampras (7 time Wimbledon champion) had lost to [145] George Bastl in the second round.  How was that possible? It was possible because it’s grass and if you have a decent serve and catch your opponent slightly off his or her game, you can be rewarded with the upset.  Needless to say, I was devastated.

So who will be the dark horses this year to wreak havoc with the Wimbledon draw?  I am almost tempted to say anyone not ranked in the top thirty-two; however, there are some players who realistically do not have a chance of upsetting the seeds.

DARK HORSES IN THE MEN’S DRAW: [52] Daniil Medvedev and [78] Dusan Lajovic.

DARK HORSES IN THE WOMEN DRAW: [45] Julia Goerges; [37] Anett Kontaveit; [54] Ashleigh Barty; and don’t take your eyes off [126] Heather Watson.

While there are many more potential players that can get hot and upset some seeds; the odds are against them making it to the final and hoisting the trophy at the end of two weeks.  However, let’s not forget that Jelena Ostapenko took the field by surprise and hoisted the French Open trophy at the end of two weeks as her first career singles title.

Will there be another Ostapenko at this year’s Wimbledon?  I doubt it.  Grass demands more mental fortitude than the other surfaces and inexperienced players are not yet ready for that challenge.

FAVORED MALE PLAYER: Roger Federer.

FAVORED FEMALE PLAYERS: Petra Kvitova and Karolina Pliskova.

SOURCE OF IMAGE: SHDR