Old guard boosts Wimbledon's enduring allure in 2026
Serena and Venus Williams, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic are back at Wimbledon in 2026, adding star power to a tournament competing with the football World Cup and other summer events. British hopes rest on Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, and Emma Raducanu, while Djokovic seeks a record 25th Grand Slam.
Return of the Legends
Wimbledon 2026 welcomes back some of tennis's greatest names. Serena Williams (44) is making a blockbuster singles comeback after four years away, also reuniting with sister Venus (46) in doubles. Venus, a five-time singles and six-time doubles champion at SW19, said it's nice to be back in 2026.
British legend Andy Murray returns to the scene of his greatest triumphs as a coach for Jack Draper. Novak Djokovic, just a week older than the 39-year-old Murray, continues his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Competition with Other Sports
Wimbledon always stands out in the British summer, but this year it faces stiff competition from the men's football World Cup, women's T20 cricket World Cup, and the British Grand Prix. However, the presence of legends, along with young stars like Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Emma Raducanu, ensures Wimbledon remains a focal point.
Tournament director Jamie Baker noted that every summer has big events, which adds to the overall buzz around sport.
British Hopes
British chances of deep runs appear slim. Jack Draper, a 2024 US Open semi-finalist, recently returned from injury and reached the Eastbourne semi-finals, but five-set matches will test his fitness. Cameron Norrie (26th seed) has experience with a 2022 semi-final and last year's quarter-final. Emma Raducanu (30th seed) is well-suited to grass, but her preparation was disrupted by a shin injury that cut short her Saturday practice.
Overall, 21 Britons are in the singles draws, and 18 face opponents ranked in the top 55.
Key Contenders
Djokovic aims for his 25th major title, remaining tied with Margaret Court since the 2023 US Open. Early exits for either Sinner or Djokovic could open up the draw. World No. 1 Sabalenka, after a collapse in the French Open quarter-finals, famously said she wanted to quit tennis but recovered with 'a couple bags of chips and some sweets'. Second seed Elena Rybakina, champion in 2022, is always dangerous with her serve. Iga Swiatek, last year's runner-up Amanda Anisimova, and recent French Open champion Mirra Andreeva are also expected to go far.
