Watch Wimbledon 2026 — Day 1: First Round Free.

What's at Stake

The 139th Championships begin at the All England Club, marking the start of the most prestigious fortnight in the tennis calendar. For the top seeds, Day 1 is about establishing rhythm and avoiding a historic upset, while lower-ranked players compete for the significant ranking points and prize money that come with a deep run on the grass.

Form Guide

The transition from the clay of Paris to the lawns of London has been swift, with players coming off key warm-up events at Queen's Club, Halle, and Eastbourne. Momentum is high for those who successfully adapted their footwork to the slicker surface, while several favorites are looking to shake off early-season injuries to find their peak form on the grass.

Key Players to Watch

• The Defending Men's Champion — Looking to maintain his dominance on Centre Court and begin his title defense with a clinical performance.
• The World Number One (WTA) — Aiming to translate her hard-court and clay success to the grass, a surface that remains her ultimate challenge.
• The British Number One — Carrying the weight of home expectations as they attempt to navigate a tricky opening-round draw under the spotlight.

Prediction

Expect the heavy favorites to progress through the opening day with relatively comfortable straight-sets victories as they adjust to the speed of the courts. While one or two seeds often struggle with the low bounce in the first round, the top four should advance without dropping a set, setting a high standard for the tournament ahead.