Who Is Playing at Wimbledon 2026? Seeds, Defending Champions and Serena’s Grand Comeback

Wimbledon’s grass returns on 29 June 2026, and this year’s entry list reads like a tennis greatest-hits album.

Serena Williams is back, Novak Djokovic chases a record, and fresh faces crowd the seedings. Here is exactly who is playing.

The Big Names Leading the Field

Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka top the two singles draws. Sinner defends the men’s title he won in 2025, while world No. 1 Sabalenka leads the women.

Each singles event has a 128-player draw with 32 seeds, plus non-seeded direct entrants, qualifiers and wild cards. The seeds are set straight from the latest ATP and WTA rankings.

If you are planning to watch from the stands, it is worth booking flights to London early, as the fortnight fills the city fast.

Men’s Singles: Sinner Defends, Djokovic Chases History

Jannik Sinner returns as champion after beating Carlos Alcaraz in the 2025 final. The biggest absence is Alcaraz himself, the two-time winner, who withdrew with a wrist injury, along with Lorenzo Musetti (thigh).

At seed seven, Novak Djokovic arrives chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would break the all-time mark he currently shares.

All 32 Seeds at a Glance

Here is the full men’s singles seeding order, confirmed in the ATP’s Wimbledon 2026 seed list.

The remaining places in the 128-man draw include non-seeded direct entrants, plus qualifiers and wild cards decided in the days before play begins.

Fonseca and the Next Generation

Beyond the favourites, a young pack is closing in fast.

• João Fonseca (seed 24, Brazil): the teenage powerhouse and one of the sport’s hottest prospects.
• Learner Tien (seed 16, USA): a breakout left-hander seeded inside the top 20.
• Jakub Menšík (seed 15, Czechia): a big server already collecting titles in his early twenties.

How this group fares against the established top eight is one of the draw’s real subplots.

Women’s Singles: Sabalenka, Świątek and a Stacked Draw

Aryna Sabalenka leads as world No. 1, with defending champion Iga Świątek seeded third. Świątek won the 2025 final in stunning style, dropping no games in a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Amanda Anisimova.

Second seed Elena Rybakina, the 2022 champion, can overtake Sabalenka at the top of the rankings with a deep run here.

All 32 Seeds at a Glance

The full women’s singles seeding order, confirmed in the WTA’s Wimbledon 2026 seed list, is below.

As in the men’s event, non-seeded direct entrants, qualifiers and wild cards fill the rest of the 128-player draw.

Osaka, Eala and the Names to Watch

The depth runs well beyond the top seeds, with star power and breakout stories scattered through the draw.

• Naomi Osaka (seed 14, Japan): the four-time Grand Slam champion, back among the seeds.
• Alex Eala (seed 29, Philippines): the first Filipina ever to be seeded at Wimbledon.
• Emma Raducanu (seed 30, Britain): the 2021 US Open champion and a home favourite.

There is history near the top, too: fifth seed Mirra Andreeva arrives as the 2026 French Open champion, fresh from her first Grand Slam title at just 19.

Serena Williams Leads the Wild Card Entries

A wild card is an invitation into the main draw for a player whose ranking would not normally earn a place. This year that list is headed by one unforgettable name.

Serena Williams is the headline wild card. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion returns for her first singles appearance since the 2022 US Open, and also enters the doubles alongside her sister Venus.

The rest of the wild card list carries its own stories:

• Stan Wawrinka: the three-time major winner plays what is expected to be his final Wimbledon.
• Maja Chwalińska: the Roland Garros finalist who climbed from No. 114, and comes in seeded 20th.
• Six British players: handed main-draw wild cards to fly the home flag.

Dates, Prize Money and How to Follow

Qualifying ran from 22 to 25 June, and the main draw fills the famous fortnight from 29 June to 12 July 2026.

The total prize fund rises to a record £64.2 million, up 20% on 2025. According to ESPN’s Wimbledon 2026 prize money breakdown, the singles champions each earn £3.6 million, with runners-up taking £1.8 million.

Watching from home, coverage is carried by national broadcasters that vary by country, so check your local listings.

To be there in person, compare London flights and book your London hotels well ahead, as the fortnight is one of the city’s busiest.

Image credit: Novak Djokovic, photo by Kuberzog via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Wimbledon 2026 start and end?

Qualifying runs from 22 to 25 June 2026, and the main draw is played from 29 June to 12 July 2026. The gentlemen’s singles final is on Sunday 12 July.

Who are the defending champions?

Jannik Sinner holds the men’s title and Iga Świątek the women’s, both after winning in 2025.

Is Serena Williams really playing at Wimbledon 2026?

Yes. She received a wild card for the singles, her first singles event since the 2022 US Open, and will also play doubles with her sister Venus.

Is Carlos Alcaraz playing?

No. The two-time champion withdrew with a wrist injury, and Lorenzo Musetti also pulled out with a thigh injury.

How many players are in the draw?

Each singles event has 128 players, made up of 32 seeds plus non-seeded direct entrants, qualifiers and wild cards.

Sources

1. The Championships, Wimbledon: Official Entry Lists
2. The Championships, Wimbledon: Dates
3. ATP Tour: Wimbledon 2026 Seeds
4. WTA: Wimbledon 2026 Dates, Draws and Prize Money
5. ESPN: Wimbledon 2026 How to Watch and Prize Money
6. Roland-Garros: 2026 Women’s Singles Final

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