As Wimbledon 2026 approaches, several all-time greats and rising stars face pressing questions. Serena Williams has taken the final wildcard to return from retirement, Jannik Sinner must rebound from a shocking collapse at Roland Garros, and Novak Djokovic seeks his 25th Grand Slam title. Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper aim to prove their fitness, and Aryna Sabalenka looks to end a slump.
How High Is Serena Williams's Level?
Serena Williams, at 44 years old and after four years of retirement, has accepted the last available singles wildcard for Wimbledon. This last-minute decision raises questions about her readiness. Had she been confident earlier, she would likely have played at Queen's Club or Berlin rather than doubles. Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon singles champion, now returns to SW19, hoping to add more magical moments to her storied career.
Will Jannik Sinner Bounce Back?
Jannik Sinner's clay-court season was historic, with titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, but it ended in disaster at Roland Garros. In the second round, he led Juan Manuel Cerundolo by two sets and 5-1 before a total collapse, one of the most shocking upsets in recent years. Sinner attributed the loss to illness rather than heat. A year ago, he showed resilience by winning Wimbledon after a heartbreaking loss to Carlos Alcaraz. Now, he must reassert his dominance.
How Will Wimbledon Respond to Player Protests?
The All England Club thought a 20% prize money increase, the largest in Wimbledon history, would appease players pushing for a greater share of revenue. However, on Wednesday, a group of top players announced a more comprehensive protest that will last into the second week. The club now faces pressure to respond.
Can Emma Raducanu Follow Up Her Queen's Club Run?
Emma Raducanu reached the Queen's Club final this month, her second final since winning the US Open in 2021. She defeated multiple top-20 opponents after a three-month victory drought. Grass suits her game, but fitness remains a concern. She was seen walking in a medical boot on Wednesday, casting doubt on her preparation.
Is This Novak Djokovic's Last Big Chance?
Novak Djokovic, 39, has reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slams in 2025 and started 2026 with a run to the Australian Open final, beating Sinner along the way. At the French Open, an injury-ravaged preparation prevented him from capitalizing on a favorable draw. As a seven-time Wimbledon champion, he is most confident on grass, which offers a less physical challenge.
Will the Rest of the Men Step Up?
After two years of dominance by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the French Open presented an opportunity when Alcaraz withdrew with a wrist injury. Five of the top 12 seeds were out on the day Sinner lost, allowing Alexander Zverev to claim his first major title by facing only one top-25 player. Players like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ben Shelton, Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, and Daniil Medvedev are more effective on grass than clay.
Can Aryna Sabalenka Arrest Her Slump?
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, suffered a historic 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-0 defeat to Jessica Pegula in Berlin, making her the first female No. 1 to lose 6-0 in the final set in consecutive defeats. Earlier, she lost from 6-3, 4-1 up in her French Open quarterfinal against Diana Shnaider, winning only one game thereafter. Her form is shaky, but she has been strong at Grand Slams and could reassert herself at Wimbledon.
Can Jack Draper Finally Remain Healthy?
Jack Draper has returned from knee tendonitis, playing well in Eastbourne and showing comfort with Andy Murray as part of his coaching team. He has never passed the second round at Wimbledon and needs a deep run. However, staying healthy is his primary goal; even if results are modest, leaving the tournament feeling good about his body would represent progress.
