The prestigious Wimbledon tournament kicks off on Monday in London with both the men’s and women’s singles brackets featuring some highly anticipated first-round matches. The Athletic’s Ava Wallace, Matthew Futterman, and Charlie Eccleshare offer their analysis on the draw and share their picks for the must-see matches in the opening days.
Serena Williams’ Return to Singles
Serena Williams is back in singles play. She’s set to face 20-year-old Maya Joint, an Australian player who has had a challenging season with a 3-15 record. Joint, with some success on grass last year, will be up against the seven-time Wimbledon winner Williams. While Joint’s preparation this year has been less than ideal, Williams approaches her matches with the confidence of a 23-time Grand Slam victor. Should Williams advance past Joint, she may encounter rising star Alexandra Eala in the second round, followed potentially by defending champion Iga Świątek in the third round.
In doubles, Serena Williams will join forces with her sister Venus. They’ll face Camila Osorio from Colombia and Argentina’s Solana Sierra in the first round, adding to the event’s intrigue.
Jannik Sinner’s Position
Many eyes are on Jannik Sinner. Despite a setback at the French Open, where illness hindered his performance, Sinner looks poised to make a strong run at Wimbledon. His strongest competition may come from Novak Djokovic, an experienced grass-court player. Sinner’s path includes a potential semifinal against Djokovic, if the draw holds.
Daniil Medvedev, who previously defeated Sinner at the tournament, could challenge him again if they meet in the quarterfinals. However, Sinner seems to avoid early threats that could disturb his progress through the rounds.
Matt Futterman’s Matches to Watch
- Bianca Andreescu vs. Zhang Shuai
- Serena Williams vs. Maya Joint
- Hugo Gaston vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Alexander Blockx vs. Alexander Zverev
American Women’s Prospects
With July 4 falling during Wimbledon, American players have reasons to celebrate early. Top-seeded Americans Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, and Coco Gauff benefit from favorable early draws. Pegula aims for a strong performance and has prioritized acclimating to the courts, skipping her usual pre-Wimbledon tournament in Germany.
Gauff and Anisimova also aim to make their mark as they navigate potential fourth-round matches against fellow accomplished players. Anisimova faces a potentially entertaining matchup with Madison Keys in the third round.
Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam Quest
Djokovic has his sights set on a 25th Grand Slam title, sharing the spotlight with Serena Williams. However, his draw places him on the same side as Sinner. Djokovic’s early rounds could include tough opponents like Andrey Rublev and Joao Fonseca. Further challenges loom from Félix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals.
Ava Wallace’s Matches to Watch
- Jeļena Ostapenko vs. Harriet Dart
- Emma Navarro vs. Paula Badosa
- Marin Čilič vs. Daniil Medvedev
- Frances Tiafoe vs. Térence Atmane
Challenges for Women’s Favorites
Top-seeded players like Świątek, Sabalenka, and Andreeva face significant challenges in their opening matches. Świątek’s first match against Taylor Townsend and potential challenges against Karolína Plíšková are noteworthy. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka faces tricky opponents like Oleksandra Oliynykova, with the possibility of meeting Emma Raducanu or Jeļena Ostapenko later in the tournament.
A Notable Men’s Quarter
The men’s draw is highlighted by a strong first-round match between Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper. Other formidable players include Frances Tiafoe and last year’s Queen’s finalist Jiří Lehečka. Alexander Zverev also looks to continue his success following his French Open triumph.
Charlie Eccleshare’s Matches to Watch
- Yulia Putintseva vs. Tatjana Maria
- Taylor Townsend vs. Iga Świątek
- Stan Wawrinka vs. Matteo Berrettini
- Taylor Fritz vs. Jack Draper
Which matchups are you most excited for? Share your thoughts in the comments.