THE CANADIANS ARE CONTENDERS!
Canada
August 14, 2024
FELIX and DENIS
Canadian hot-shot Felix Auger Aliassime was a Wimbledon quarter-finalist in 2021 – and he is still showing plenty of promise. There’s no reason why Felix can’t be a strong contender for Wimbledon 2025. He’s a top 20 star and a class act by common consent. Still only 24, Auger Aliassime will be one to watch at the All England Club next time around.
Meanwhile Denis Shapovalov made the semi-finals of Wimbledon 2021 – and he loves playing on grass. Even though he was injured in 2023, Denis still made the fourth round of Wimbledon that year. By reaching the quarter-finals of the 2024 Citi DC Open in Washington, Shapovalov showed that a sudden return to his finest form is always possible. He is capable of a deep run at Wimbledon 2025 because he already has so much experience for his age.
FINALISTS
A Canadian is going to win Wimbledon some time soon. They have come close on several occasions. Big-serving Milos Raonic reached the Wimbledon final in 2016 – and Eugenie Bouchard had done the same in 2014.
In the women’s doubles, Gabriela Dabrowski reached the final at Wimbledon 2024, just as she had done in 2019. Gabriela and Kiwi partner Erin Routliffe were eventually edged out by fourth seeds Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova on tie-breaks. But it was great to see a Canadian back in the mix.
LEYLAH and BIANCA
Leylah Fernandez is a fearsome Grand Slam contender on her day. She reached the US Open final in 2021 and came so close to taking the title. Only Toronto-born Emma Raducanu pipped her at the post. And Leylah reached the 2023 French Open final in the women’s doubles alongside Taylor Townsend. It feels like glory is just around the corner. Leylah has the talent to achieve great things at Wimbledon if the puts her mind to it. And she isn’t the only one.
Bianca Andreescu already knows what it’s like to win a Grand Slam title after her extraordinary success in the US Open final of 2019 against the great Serena Williams. Andreescu will always be able to say she was the first Canadian to win a major – but she wants more silverware. In 2023 Bianca reached the finals of the mixed doubles at the French Open with Michael Venus. And she showed great promise by reaching the third round of the singles at Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024.
Canadians will see 2025 as a year of opportunity for their stars at Wimbledon – and with good reason!
Featured image: Darren Carroll/USTA