Manila: Wimbledon, one of the four prestigious Grand Slam tournaments of the tennis season, will commence on June 29 and run until July 12. The tournament's champions will be decided following the women's singles final on July 11 and the men's singles final on July 12. The All-England Lawn Tennis Club in London is set to host the event for the 139th time, tracing back to its inception in 1877.
According to Philippines News Agency, the total prize money for Wimbledon has been increased by 20 percent compared to last year, reaching £64.2 million (approximately USD84.8 million), marking the highest in the tournament's history. The singles champions will receive £3.6 million (approximately USD4.7 million).
World No. 1 in men's singles, Italian Jannik Sinner, and World No. 3 in women's singles, Polish Iga Swiatek, are set to defend their titles. Sinner, who has two Australian Open and one Wimbledon and US Open titles, is vying for his fifth Grand Slam title. Defending French Open champion Alexander Zverev of Germany and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic of Serbia are also strong contenders in the men's singles.
Swiatek, who has four French Open titles along with Wimbledon and US Open victories, is pursuing her seventh Grand Slam title. In the women's draw, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, a four-time Grand Slam champion; 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan; and American players Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Amanda Anisimova are among the top contenders. Mirra Andreeva of Russia, fresh from her French Open victory, is another player to watch.
In a notable comeback, American tennis player Serena Williams returns to singles competition at Wimbledon after four years. The 44-year-old, who retired in 2022 with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven at Wimbledon, received a "wild card" entry. She recently participated in doubles at the Queen's Club Championship and will also compete in women's doubles at Wimbledon with her sister Venus Williams.
Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz will miss Wimbledon due to injury, marking his absence in the second consecutive Grand Slam of 2026 after the French Open. Alcaraz, who won Wimbledon twice in 2023 and 2024, has secured seven Grand Slam titles in his career.
Djokovic, with 24 Grand Slam titles, is aiming for his 25th major win. The Serbian player, sharing the record of 24 Grand Slam titles with Australian Margaret Court, could surpass Court if he wins Wimbledon. His victories include 10 Australian Open, 7 Wimbledon, 4 US Open, and 3 French Open titles.
Swiss Roger Federer holds the record for the most men's singles titles at Wimbledon with eight, while American Martina Navratilova holds the women's record with nine.
Turkish national tennis player Zeynep S¶nmez, ranked 54th globally, will compete in the Wimbledon main draw for the second time. She will face American Ann Li, seeded No. 28, in the first round of women's singles. Last year, S¶nmez became the first Turkish player to advance to the third round at Wimbledon, a feat not achieved by a national player in any Grand Slam tournament since 1950. This year, she reached the third round of the Australian Open and the first round of the French Open.
