The 2013 Wimbledon Championships: Top Picks by Alan Wilkins

It is difficult not to look beyond the wonderful form that Rafael Nadal is playing with following his epic win over Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals at Roland Garros. I believe that the Spaniard will add a third Wimbledon title to his CV. His form this season since returning from nine months with knee injury has been phenomenal. He has done it before, bringing his Paris supremacy to Wimbledon, in the same way that Bjorn Borg did it with such aplomb in his inimitable way.

 

After Rafa, it has to be Novak. Although Novak Djokovic was put in his place by Roger Federer in last year's semi-finals (with Federer going on to beat Murray in the Final) I just think that Federer has not found good enough form this year coming into Wimbledon, and Djokovic will be hell-bent on revenge.

 

Federer is my third pick ahead of Andy Murray. On the grass of Wimbledon, Roger Federer is arguably the greatest of all time. At the age of 31 he is still younger than Pete Sampras who was 32 when he won his 14th and final Grand Slam title, the US Open. Federer needs everything to go his way because he has lost that aura of dominance against players in the world's top ten, but it is grass and it is Wimbledon - his favourite place!

 

Serena Williams is clear favourite in the women's championship. How can you argue with the sublime Serena has played with over the past year?  Serena will definitely be trying her best for a sixth Wimbledon title and trying doubly hard in the absence of her sister, Venus, who has had to withdraw from Wimbledon with injury. Venus has won Wimbledon five times. Serena would have the family bragging rights with a sixth Wimbledon crown!

 

Maria Sharapova is my second pick. The 204 Wimbledon Champion is destined to win another. Only Serena Williams stands in her way. If Serena has an off day then for me the Russian will add a second Wimbledon title to her silverware.

 

My third pick is Petra Kvitova. The Czech left-hander who stunned the tennis world when she beat Maria Sharapova to win 2011 Wimbledon, her first and only Grand Slam Singles title.

 

Kvitova has the weapons to win another, and in the opinion of Martina Navratilova, Kvitova is a multi-Grand Slam winner. Her second could be Wimbledon 2013.

 

Catch veteran tennis presenter Alan Wilkins on STAR Sports’ broadcast of The 2013 Wimbledon Championships. For the first time ever, tennis fans will also be able to enjoy the Wimbledon on FOX SPORTS and on FOX SPORTS HD as well. Check local listings for details.

Press release from FOX Sports