Wimbledon 2026 draw pits Rafa Jódar against wildcard Gill, Sinner starts title defence and Djokovic chases Slam No. 25

Draw revealed for Wimbledon 2026

The All England Club announced the singles draws on Friday, 26 June, ahead of the tournament's start on Monday 29 June. The men's field features world No. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner, 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic, and Roland Garros champion Alexander Zverev. Carlos Alcaraz is absent because of a right-wrist injury that has sidelined him for most of 2026. In the women's draw, Serena Williams returns with an invitation, seven-time champion, playing her first singles match since the 2022 US Open.

Rafa Jódar's path as Spain's main hope

Spanish 19-year-old Rafa Jódar, seeded 23, will make his Wimbledon main-draw debut against British wildcard Felix Gill (world No. 220). Jódar missed the grass-court lead-up events (Queen's and Eastbourne) with an abdominal problem but confirmed he is fit. His projected path: a possible second-round meeting with Pablo Carreño or Denis Shapovalov, a third-round clash with 14th seed Luciano Darderi, and a round-of-16 showdown with Sinner. Beyond that, Daniil Medvedev or Tommy Paul could wait in the quarterfinals, and Djokovic in the semifinals. Jódar has risen from outside the top 600 a year ago to his current seeding. Other Spanish men in the draw include Alejandro Davidovich (seed 22), who faces Juan Cerúndolo, and veteran Roberto Bautista, retiring after the season, drawn against Brazil's Joao Fonseca. In the women's draw, Paula Badosa, Jessica Bouzas, and Sara Sorribes all feature in the first round.

Sinner, Djokovic and the men's favourites

Jannik Sinner opens against Miomir Kecmanovic. The Italian is aiming for a second Wimbledon title but arrives after a surprise second-round loss at Roland Garros, where he led two sets to none against Juan Manuel Cerúndolo. Novak Djokovic, seeking a record-extending 25th Grand Slam trophy, faces China's Wu Yibing in the first round. Alexander Zverev, the second seed, will meet Belgian qualifier Alexander Blockx. The draw places Sinner, Djokovic, and Zverev on separate halves until the semifinal stage.

Women's draw: Williams comeback and Swiatek defends

Serena Williams, now 44, has accepted a wildcard and plays Australia's Maya Joint. Defending champion Iga Swiatek could face Williams as early as the third round. Aryna Sabalenka, a four-time major winner, is in the same quarter as Naomi Osaka and Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva. 2022 winner Elena Rybakina, the second seed, could meet Swiatek in the semifinals.

Tournament schedule and broadcast

Wimbledon runs from 29 June to 12 July. The first round is scheduled for 29–30 June, the second for 1–2 July, the third for 3–4 July, the round of 16 for 5–6 July, the quarterfinals for 7–8 July, the women's semifinals on 9 July, the men's semifinals on 10 July, the women's final on 11 July, and the men's final on 12 July. In Spain, all matches are broadcast on Movistar+.