Defending champions, top contenders, and the players who could make the fortnight unpredictable. The draw is released June 26.
Sinner defends against a field that has been building for two years toward this moment.
Sinner's 2025 Wimbledon title — the first for Italy at the All England Club — completed a collection that now includes multiple Grand Slams across hard and grass surfaces. His game is built around exceptional court coverage, a potent first serve that generates free points on grass, and a forehand that can open up angles no other player creates. The mental consistency that carried him through tight moments in 2025 will be tested again by challengers who have spent 12 months studying exactly how he plays.
Alcaraz won Wimbledon in back-to-back years before losing the 2025 final to Sinner. His game — explosive serve, variety of pace, brilliant net play — was practically built for grass. The hunger to reclaim the title will make him the most dangerous opponent for Sinner in the draw. At 22 years old he already has more Wimbledon titles than most players ever achieve.
Djokovic holds the Wimbledon record with eight titles — tied with Roger Federer at the time of his last win in 2022. His Wimbledon game is built on return of serve, defensive retrieving, and the ability to outlast opponents across five sets. In his late thirties, the question is whether his body can handle the demands of a fortnight on grass. His Centre Court intelligence and experience remain unmatched by anyone in the draw.
Draper's left-handed serve — which kicks out wide to the deuce court and to a right-hander's backhand — is uniquely problematic on grass. His aggressive returning and willingness to take the ball early put opponents on the back foot. Playing at home carries both the benefit of crowd support and the pressure of expectation. If Draper arrives at Wimbledon healthy and in form, a semifinal run is genuinely within his reach.
Zverev's imposing physical presence and powerful serve are clear assets on grass. His game has evolved into a more proactive, attack-oriented style that can cause problems for anyone. He has reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals but not won the title — the next step on the biggest stage remains his stated goal. His results at Wimbledon have historically been inconsistent, but a deeper draw could finally be his year.
Swiótek arrives as defending champion and overwhelming favourite — but Wimbledon has a history of surprises.
Świótek's 2025 Wimbledon title — earned with a 6–0, 6–0 final — was the most dominant conclusion to any Women's Final in decades. Her game combines heavy topspin with exceptional defensive retrieving; on the grass she has added a more direct, low-ball attack that keeps opponents behind the baseline. Once considered her least favoured surface, Wimbledon is now as much hers as Roland Garros.
Sabalenka's first serve — flat, heavy, and regularly exceeding 120 mph — is extraordinarily effective on grass. The ball barely rises off the surface, and her aggressive follow-through on second balls gives opponents little time to recover. Her powerful baseline game can take over a match completely when she is in rhythm. A potential Sabalenka–Świótek final would be the most-anticipated matchup on the women's side.
Gauff announced herself to the world at Wimbledon in 2019 as a 15-year-old, defeating Venus Williams in the first round. She has evolved into a complete player — better serve, stronger forehand, and a tactical maturity unusual for someone still in her early twenties. The grass court demands quick decision-making and aggressive positioning, and Gauff's athleticism and court awareness give her the ability to take apart any opponent's game plan.
Rybakina won Wimbledon in 2022 and her game has not gotten worse since. Her first serve stays extremely flat and penetrating on grass — a ball that skids through the court at pace and leaves returners with milliseconds to react. Her backhand is among the cleanest in the women's game. In good form, she remains one of the few players capable of breaking Świótek's Wimbledon dominance.
Andreeva's tactical intelligence is already well beyond her years. Her left-handed serve produces natural angles that right-handed opponents find awkward, particularly on grass where the ball stays low. She is still developing physically, but her shot selection, defensive movement, and composure in pressure moments are qualities that players take years to develop. Wimbledon 2026 could be the year a young Andreeva goes deep into the second week.
How to follow the action like a regular viewer.
On grass, first-serve percentage matters more than at any other Slam. A player holding serve consistently is nearly impossible to beat. Watch the stat line — a player whose first-serve percentage drops below 55% is struggling, while above 70% is dominance.
Because holding serve is so expected on grass, a break point is an enormous moment. Crowds lean in, players take more time. A player who converts break points efficiently in the early sets almost always controls the match. Watch how confident each player looks when returning.
Coming to the net — charging forward after a strong approach shot to volley for a winner — is more rewarded on grass than anywhere else. Players who do it well can shorten points dramatically. Watch how often the best players approach the net vs. staying at the baseline: it tells you about their confidence in the conditions.