Wimbledon 2026 begins! Follow day one as Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka open their title defence, new video review rules debut, and stars like Djokovic and Raducanu take the court.
Introduction:
Wimbledon 2026 has officially started. The 139th edition of the world’s oldest tennis tournament began on Monday, 29 June, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London. The grass courts of SW19 will host the world’s best players for two full weeks, with the tournament running until Sunday, 12 July. See also:Â Jannik Sinner Dethrones Alcaraz: Italian Star Claims Historic First Wimbledon Title
This year’s draw features 128 singles players in both the men’s and women’s events. Every player is chasing one of tennis’s most famous prizes. The men’s champion lifts the historic trophy, while the women’s winner takes home the Venus Rosewater Dish.
Defending Champion Opens Centre Court
As is tradition, the reigning men’s champion played the very first match on Centre Court. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner began his title defence against Miomir Kecmanovic. This custom has marked the opening of Wimbledon for many years, and it gave fans an early thrill on day one.
Sinner was not the only big name in action. Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic also took to the grass, facing Wu Yibing. Djokovic remains one of the most popular and respected players at the tournament, and his matches always draw huge crowds.
Women’s Top Seed Begins Her Campaign
On the women’s side, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka made her first appearance of the tournament. She faced Teodora Kostovic in a match that kicked off her bid for a maiden Wimbledon title.
Fans also watched closely as French Open champion Mirra Andreeva stepped onto the grass for the first time this fortnight. Coco Gauff, the women’s world No. 7, was in action too, adding more star power to an already exciting opening day.
British Hopes on Home Soil
Home support played a big role on day one. British number one Emma Raducanu took to the court in front of her home crowd, while men’s third seed Félix Auger-Aliassime also featured in the early matches. British fans always bring extra energy to Wimbledon, and the opening days are no exception.
A New Era of Video Review
This year’s Championships bring a historic change. For the first time, Wimbledon will use video review technology during matches. Players will be able to challenge certain umpire decisions on Centre Court and Court No. 1, as well as on four other show courts during singles matches. This marks a major shift for a tournament long known for sticking to tradition.
Wimbledon Goes Global with Central Park Event
Wimbledon’s reach extended beyond London this year. In the days leading up to the tournament, the All England Club hosted “The Wimbledon Court in Central Park,” a four-day promotional event in New York City. The event let American fans enjoy a taste of Wimbledon’s atmosphere, far from the actual grass courts.
As part of community outreach, a special tennis session was also held for young participants of a youth employment programme in the Bronx. The day ended with a live screening of Wimbledon’s opening matches on giant screens in Central Park, giving fans across the Atlantic a shared experience with those in London.
What Comes Next
With the first matches now complete, attention turns to the rest of the opening week. Both singles draws will continue through the early rounds, while doubles competitions begin in the days ahead. Excitement is building, and the action on the grass courts is only just getting started.
