How high is Williams’s level?
Serena Williams delayed her decision until the final moment to claim the last available spot and dramatically intensify her comeback from retirement. It seems unlikely this was part of a long-term plan. Had she been confident in her readiness to compete with the world’s best at the start of the grass court season, Williams would likely have tested her form at Queen’s Club or in Berlin. Yet, here she is, drawn irresistibly to Wimbledon, where she has secured seven singles titles. Williams’s career is marked by countless magical moments, and now at 44 years old, after four years away from professional tennis, she returns to SW19 aiming to create more memorable highlights.
Will Sinner bounce back?
Jannik Sinner’s failure to conclude his remarkable clay court season with a title in Paris was not the only concern. One of the most stunning upsets in recent memory occurred under extraordinary circumstances: Sinner was leading Juan Manuel Cerundolo by two sets and 5-1 in their second-round match at Roland Garros before experiencing a complete collapse. A year prior, he had demonstrated exceptional resilience by recovering from a heartbreaking defeat in Paris, where he had held triple championship point, to eventually claim victory. Now, Sinner faces the challenge of reasserting his dominance on the tour.
How will Wimbledon react to the player protest?
The All England Club believed it had sufficiently addressed concerns from a group of top players advocating for a larger share of grand slam revenues. The recent financial increase represented the largest in Wimbledon’s history and seemed to be met with cautious approval. However, on Wednesday, the group announced a more extensive protest, extending into the tournament’s second week. The responsibility now lies with the All England Club to formulate an appropriate response.
Can Raducanu follow up her Queen’s Club run?
Emma Raducanu’s journey to the final at Queen’s Club earlier this month, only her second final since 2021, appeared to be a positive step forward. She began her preferred grass court season after a challenging period, seeking her first victory in three months, and concluded the week by defeating multiple top-20 opponents. Raducanu performs best on grass, where the faster, lower-bouncing surface complements her sometimes underpowered game, indicating her capacity for another strong run. The persistent question, however, concerns her physical condition. Doubts about her preparation arose after she was seen limping on Wednesday.
Is this Djokovic’s last big chance?
Novak Djokovic has spent the past 18 months consistently positioning himself to extend the open era record with a 25th grand slam singles title. The 39-year-old reached the semi-finals of all four grand slams in 2025 and commenced this year with an impressive run to the Australian Open final. Unfortunately, at the French Open, a disrupted draw combined with injury-affected preparation prevented further progress. As always, the seven-time Wimbledon champion feels most confident on grass, which presents a less physically demanding challenge.
Will the rest of the men step up?
Following two years of being overshadowed and outperformed by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at major tournaments, other top male players were presented with an opportunity due to Alcaraz’s withdrawal. On the day Sinner was eliminated, five of the top 12 seeds had already exited the draw, with many more departures following. This allowed several players to advance by facing only one top 25 opponent. Competitors such as Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ben Shelton, Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, and Daniil Medvedev tend to perform better on grass than on clay.
Can Sabalenka arrest her slump?
Aryna Sabalenka’s recent results in preparation for Wimbledon have been historically notable, though not positively. Her 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-0 loss to Jessica Pegula in Berlin marked her as the first female world No 1 to lose a final set 6-0 in consecutive defeats. The first of these losses was arguably the second most shocking upset at the French Open, following Sinner’s defeat, as Sabalenka squandered a 6-3, 4-1 lead to win only one more game for the remainder of the match. This dramatic collapse highlights the instability in her form since attaining the No 1 ranking. Nevertheless, she has demonstrated strong performances at grand slams over time, and Wimbledon could be the venue where she reestablishes her form.
Can Draper finally remain healthy?
Jack Draper’s early return during the latter half of the grass court season has shown promise. Recovering from a knee tendonitis injury, he has competed at a solid level in Eastbourne and appears comfortable on grass courts. Most importantly, he has maintained his physical health, which is critical for his career. Draper has yet to progress beyond the second round at Wimbledon and is in need of a significant run on home soil. Regardless of his results this year, leaving the tournament feeling physically well would represent meaningful progress.
