Overview
- The Championships began at the All England Club on June 29, with opening‑day play under fine conditions and early results including Jannik Sinner surviving a five‑set match and Jessica Pegula winning in straight sets.
- Serena Williams, 44, is slated to make her singles return on Tuesday against Maya Joint in a match that has become a central media and spectator focus.
- A wave of roughly 18 high‑profile absences — led by Carlos Alcaraz (wrist), Emma Raducanu (stress fracture) and Markéta Vondroušová (four‑year ban) — has forced many alternates and lucky losers into the main draw and noticeably opened paths for other contenders.
- Organisers have introduced selected‑court video review on six courts with no limit on challenges for specified calls, and they announced a record £64.2 million prize fund with singles champions set to earn £3.6 million each.
- Novak Djokovic, 39, returns as a leading contender seeking a record 25th major while defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner begins his title defence in a field that looks more unpredictable because of the absences.