Serena Williams, the seven-time champion who could not defend her Wimbledon title last year as she was "preparing for the birth of her first child in September," returns to the All England Club next week seeded 25th among the best 32 players in the women’s singles draw, according to Kevin Mitchell of the London GUARDIAN. If there were "no storms forecast overhead for the start of the championships, there will be a few closer to the ground." To many "disinterested parties," there is logic in the decision announced by the tournament's seedings committee on Wednesday. To at least one player, 29-year-old Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova, it is "profoundly unfair" that Williams, ranked 183 in the world as she works her way back into the game, should "edge her out" of the top 32. The British No. 1, Johanna Konta, said that Cibulkova's situation "ought to have been taken into account." Cibulkova said, "I don't think it's the right thing to do." Williams has "not pressed loudly for a seeding but stated her case with quiet intelligence." She said, "I think and I hope -- and it should be under review -- to change these rules, maybe not in time for me, but for the next person" (GUARDIAN, 6/27). In London, Simon Briggs reported the decision has been "much debated" since the AELTC's spring press conference at the start of May. Cibulkova said on Tuesday ahead of the decision, "Why should I not be seeded if I have the right to be? It's just not fair if there is a player [who misses out] and it's me now. I have the right and I should be seeded and if they put her in front of me then I will just lose my spot that I am supposed to have. I don't know if something like this ever happened before." Williams' "exact position has been carefully calculated." She has been placed among the eight weakest seeds -- who know that they will face an opponent seeded between No. 1 and No. 8 in the third round "if there are no upsets." AELTC committee member Tim Henman suggested the club was influenced by Saturday's news from the U.S., which revealed that the U.S. Open favors "giving seedings to players returning from maternity leave" (TELEGRAPH, 6/27).
TOP SEEDS: The BBC reported Simona Halep is the top seed, with Roger Federer her counterpart in the men's draw. Federer is seeded a place higher than his world ranking, with world No. 1 Rafael Nadal the second seed. With the exception of Williams, "all of the women are seeded in line with their WTA ranking." Williams is seeded one place lower than Maria Sharapova, who she was due to meet in the fourth round of the French Open before pulling out because of injury (BBC, 6/27). REUTERS' Martyn Herman reported Cibulkova could "potentially face Halep, or Williams, in the first round." She said, "I think if it was a different player, not her, I think she would not be seeded. It's just because she won it many times and she's Serena Williams. So I think that's why" (REUTERS, 6/27).
