Wimbledon Day 1 2026: Sinner Survives Scare, Sabalenka Cruises & British Woes Mount

Wimbledon Day 1 on Monday, 29 June 2026, delivered all the drama, tension, and heartbreak that fans have come to expect from the opening day of the Championships at the All England Club. From a nail-biting five-setter on Centre Court to heartbreaking British withdrawals, Wimbledon Day 1 set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling fortnight.

Sinner Battles Through on Centre Court

Top seed Jannik Sinner survived a scare to win his first-round match on Wimbledon Day 1, keeping his title defence alive. The Italian defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 4–6, 6–3, 6–7 (6–7), 6–2, 6–3 in a gruelling contest that stretched his resilience to the limit. Sinner defends his Wimbledon crown with the likes of French Open champion Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, and Felix Auger-Aliassime among those looking to challenge.

Sabalenka Makes Smooth Start

On the women’s side, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Teodora Kostovic 6–2, 6–3 in a composed straight-sets display on Wimbledon Day 1. Defending champion Iga Świątek, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, and Elena Rybakina are among those looking to challenge Sabalenka for the title.

Serena Williams Makes Stunning Return

One of the biggest storylines of Wimbledon Day 1 is the remarkable comeback of tennis legend Serena Williams. Williams was granted a wild card entry into the singles draw at the age of 44, aiming for her first Wimbledon singles win since 2019 when she reached the final.

British Hopes Take Heavy Blows on Wimbledon Day 1

Wimbledon Day 1 proved to be a deeply disappointing day for British tennis. Jack Draper announced he had been forced to withdraw from the tournament with an injury. This followed the pre-tournament blow of Emma Raducanu withdrawing due to a stress fracture in her right ankle — a cruel setback following her run to the Queen’s final.

On the court, Cameron Norrie fell short in a gruelling five-set battle against qualifier Michael Zheng, losing 6–7(7), 6–2, 6–7(2), 6–3, 7–6(4) in just over four hours. In the women’s draw, Harriet Dart lost out in a close battle with former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko.

Alcaraz Absent as Draw Opens Up

Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion before 2025, is absent from Wimbledon 2026 due to a wrist injury, significantly opening up the men’s draw. This leaves Sinner as the heavy favourite, with Djokovic (16.9% win probability) and Zverev (9.6%) listed as the leading challengers.

Wimbledon Day 1: Key Results Summary

• Men’s: (1) Sinner bt Kecmanovic 4–6, 6–3, 6–7, 6–2, 6–3
• Men’s: Norrie lost to Zheng 6–7, 6–2, 6–7, 6–3, 6–7
• Women’s: (1) Sabalenka bt Kostovic 6–2, 6–3
• Women’s: Ostapenko bt Dart 6–3, 3–6, 6–4

Wimbledon Day 1 has delivered excitement, shocks, and plenty of talking points ahead of the rest of the first round. With Serena Williams still in the draw, the top seeds navigating early challenges, and British interest already thinning, the 2026 Championships are shaping up to be unmissable. Stay tuned for full Wimbledon Day 1 results and live updates throughout the day.