LONDON – Jannik Sinner begins his defence of the Wimbledon title on Monday, while Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka also feature as the grass-court Grand Slam gets underway.

The opening day comes 12 months after Sinner and women’s champion Iga Swiatek claimed their respective titles at the All England Club. This year’s tournament features Serena Williams’ return after four years in retirement, Djokovic’s pursuit of Grand Slam history, and Sabalenka’s challenge for her first Wimbledon crown.

Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the 2025 final to end the Spaniard’s two-year reign as champion. With Alcaraz sidelined by a wrist injury sustained in Barcelona in April, Sinner is the favourite to become the 10th man in the Open era to retain the Wimbledon trophy.

The world number one is bidding for his fifth Grand Slam title and his first since his victory at Wimbledon last year.

However, the Italian (24) arrives in south-west London with some concerns. He has not reached a Grand Slam final this year and exited the French Open in the second round, losing a two-set lead against Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

Sinner has stayed away from the Wimbledon warm-up events for the first time in his career, but remains confident.

“I feel good. I think grass is very different surface obviously. If you play a tournament before here, maybe it’s not going the way you would like to, you come here with some doubts. If you don’t play any tournament, you don’t have these doubts, you just go and play,” said Sinner, who will open this year’s Centre Court action against Serbian world number 51 Miomir Kecmanovic.

Djokovic chases history

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic will be one of Sinner’s main rivals in Alcaraz’s absence.

Djokovic (39), who opens his campaign against China’s Wu Yibing on Centre Court, is targeting an all-time record of 25 Grand Slam singles titles among men and women.

The Serbian has drawn inspiration from Williams’ comeback. The American legend (44) is returning to competitive tennis to play in front of her two young daughters.

“For her to come back after years of being absent from the tour, two children later, and to give so much effort too, not just for her own satisfaction is remarkable,” Djokovic said.

“I told her that whatever happens, what she’s doing is truly inspirational for me personally, I’m sure for millions around the world.”

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Djokovic’s most recent Wimbledon triumph came four years ago. He has not won any Grand Slam since 2023, and no man of his age has won a major title in the Open era.

The fast courts at Wimbledon, which shorten rallies, offer him favourable conditions to win that 25th Grand Slam.

“I was planning to peak at Wimbledon after the injury of the shoulder that kept me away from the tour for several months,” he said.

“I have a very good score here, some history. That gives me, of course, a higher dose of confidence.”

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Women’s action

Women’s world number one Sabalenka faces Serbia’s Teodora Kostovic on opening day.

Sabalenka is a four-time Grand Slam winner, but the Belarusian has never reached the Wimbledon final.

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva, the newly crowned French Open champion, meets Poland’s Magda Linette.

Williams’ first match at Wimbledon in four years comes against Australia’s Maya Joint on Tuesday.

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