Aryna Sabalenka has mostly done everything right this season. Still, the World No.1 is yet to clinch a slam in 2025. She reached the finals of the Australian Open down under but failed against Madison Keys. Earlier this month at the French Open, 70 unforced errors led to her downfall against another American, Coco Gauff. In total, Sabalenka has made it to seven tournament finals this year. Yes, she’s won three of them, but there’s no major. Being a three-time slam queen, it hurts. But one can never rule Sabalenka out, especially whenever a new slam campaign approaches. This time, she will look to go the distance at Wimbledon on grass.

But do you know who her first-round opponent is at the All England Club? Well, she hails from Canada, and it seems an early battle against the Belarusian hardly bothers the 24-year-old. In case you followed the Wimbledon qualifying week a few days back, you must have come across a specific name. Carson Branstine. Yes, she’s the one who caught everyone’s attention after knocking out French Open semifinalist Lois Boisson. Branstine defeated her in a tense clash with a score line of 6-2, 6-7, 6-4. She then went on to win the next two rounds as well. After besting compatriot Bianca Andreescu and Cyprus’ Raluca Georgiana Serban, Branstine earned her main draw ticket to Wimbledon.

On Friday, the event organizers confirmed that Branstine will meet none other than Aryna Sabalenka in the first round. In such cases, a young, unknown player may already get nervous. One can say Branstine had a similar reaction to her opening bout against the heavyweight. Coming up with an interesting post in response to the draw announcement, she simply wrote, “Maybe one day I’ll get a good draw LOL”, explaining her mindset ahead of the battle. Perhaps Branstine wanted to convey that she may not have much of a chance against the Belarusian. But again, it’s tennis and anything can happen. Never say never.

Now, in case you have forgotten, Sabalenka’s first round opponent at the French Open, last month, had a similar reaction as well. When Kamilla Rakhimova, a 23-year-old player from Russia, got to know that she was up against Sabalenka, she came up with a hilarious response. After journalist Bastien Fachan informed her, “OMG the draw 🙈”, she simply wrote, “Haha don’t tell me who I play. I don’t wanna know yet. Too early )” thus reflecting on her mood before facing Aryna Sabalenka. And as expected, the World No.1 thrashed the Russian pro with a brutal score line of 6-1, 6-0. It was also her third-straight win over Rakhimova. With that, she established a perfect 3-0 record as far as their H2H tally is concerned.

Now the big question is: will Branstine meet a similar fate to Rakhimova? It’s too early to say anything considering that the Canadian will meet Sabalenka for the first time in a WTA-level event. However, several notable figures believe the Belarusian has got a strong chance this time to go the distance and even lift the trophy.

Martina Navratilova backs Aryna Sabalenka to shine at Wimbledon

For the uninitiated, Aryna Sabalenka made her Wimbledon debut back in 2017. Being a youngster, though, she could hardly leave any impact and faced an early R64 exit. But in recent editions (2021 and 2023), the three-time slam queen has showed her potential on grass. Her best run includes making it to the semis twice. Last season, she couldn’t play due to a shoulder injury.

Her overall form this year has been solid. Many may argue that she failed to lift the trophy at the Australian Open and then the French Open, but 18-time slam champion and WTA icon Martina Navratilova still believes Sabalenka is a potential winner. Reason? “Looking at her record, it’s hard to think she’s not the favorite this year.” reported WTA’s website on June 25.

Navratilova added, “She’s a complete player and has a good game for grass. It’s hard to find a weakness or an opening against her. I’m wondering if losing the French Open final will actually help motivate her. I think she finds herself in a good spot.”

What are your thoughts on the Belarusian’s prospects at the All England Club? Will she finally succeed in winning her first, and fourth overall, slam this season? Let us know in the comments below.