This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine.
Ahead of Wimbledon 2026 getting under way in SW19, BBC experts Annabel Croft and Tim Henman share their tennis hopefuls to watch this year.
Wimbledon 2026 players to watch
British hopeful: Emma Raducanu
Country: Great Britain Age: 23 Ranking: 31
Grass is probably her best surface, even though she won the US Open back in 2021. Injuries and illnesses have hurt her confidence but she recently made the finals of the Transylvania Open and Queen’s.
Raducanu has such a complete game. A beautiful mover on the grass court, with one of the best sliced backhands on the tour and she volleys better than anyone. She rises to the occasion and brings out her best when she’s on a big stage. Annabel Croft
Men’s top seed: Jannik Sinner
Country: Italy Age: 24 Ranking: 1
In Carlos Alcaraz’s absence, the defending champion is the clear favourite and the player to beat – despite his shock exit in the heat in Paris in the French Open.
Sinner’s game is pretty simple. He’s serving bigger and more accurately, while from the back of the court he generates so much power on both wings. The way grass court tennis has evolved there are more rallies, and the four-time Grand Slam winner moves really well. Tim Henman
Women’s top seed: Aryna Sabalenka
Country: Belarus Age: 28 Ranking: 1
She’s a very brave tennis player who goes for broke, with all-out power, a massive serve and ground strokes. Sabalenka brings a big personality to a tennis court and has embraced everything that goes with being world number one.
The four-time major winner has faltered in the latter stages of grand slams recently because she wants to win so much. If she can bounce back from an early exit at the French Open, a first Wimbledon title could be well within reach. AC
Ben Shelton
Country: United States Age: 23 Ranking: 6
Shelton has got such a big game and is learning all the time. A player who likes the big stage, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a good run at this year’s championships as he looks to build on his Wimbledon quarter-final and Australian Open semi in 2025 – which equalled his best grand slam finish. The American is an explosive lefty, with probably the biggest serve in the game, so he will be difficult to play against on grass. TH
Elena Rybakina
Country: Kazakhstan Age: 27 Ranking: 2
A force to face on a grass court. The former Wimbledon champion has struggled with injury and illness since her 2022 victory but recovered to win the Australian Open in January. Rybakina is very tall, with a great wingspan on court, has a wonderful serve, a phenomenal backhand and great touch. She’s calm on the court, almost emotionless. Head down and focused, she just gets on with it. AC
Alexander Zverev
Country: Germany Age: 29 Ranking: 3
On the back of his Roland-Garros triumph, Zverev shouldn’t be underestimated. While he’s not had massive grass court success, the freedom of getting a first grand slam win under his belt will give him confidence.
He’s got one of the best serves in the game. It’s a weapon on any surface but is highlighted on the grass. Add in his big match experience and, even though it’s probably his least favourite surface, he’s in the mix. TH
Iga Świątek
Country: Poland Age: 25 Ranking: 3
The defending champion took everyone’s breath away by ending her grass court drought with a first Wimbledon win and her sixth grand slam title last year. Świątek can catch fire and blow players away, but then in the blink of an eye it can turn and she’s vulnerable again. Her win in Cincinnati last August feels a long time ago and she’s turned to the excellent Francisco Roig – Rafa Nadal’s former coach – to solve the crisis in her corner. AC
Alex de Minaur
Country: Australia Age: 27 Ranking: 5
The Australians have a great history at Wimbledon and de Minaur plays very well on grass. His movement is outstanding; he is so fast around the court and is one of the three quickest players on tour. He hits a pretty flat ball, which is effective on grass, and he’ll also benefit from his experience on the surface.
He’s never made it past the quarter-finals at a major but will get a bit of British support given that he’s engaged to Katie Boulter. TH
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Mirra Andreeva
Country: Russia Age: 19 Ranking: 5
A grand slam champion at 19 after winning at Roland-Garros, Andreeva is a chess player on the court. Her game is full of variety and creativity, and she really mixes the pace. Everything looks effortless when she plays. She has wonderful feel and touch – drop shots, slices and moon balls. Following up a French Open win on grass is never easy. All eyes will be on her, but she was born to be a champion and has a fun personality. AC
Novak Djokovic
Country: Serbia Age: 39 Ranking: 7
He has a realistic chance of winning a record-breaking 25th major title at Wimbledon this year. There are fewer players that play well on grass, or who understand how to succeed on it. Djokovic thrives on grass and the surface is less physically demanding, which at his age is important. The seven-time winner lost in the semi-finals last year and the final in 2024 but you can’t count him out. TH
Coco Gauff
Country: United States Age: 22 Ranking: 7
Probably the best athlete on the tour, Gauff is still just 22 despite announcing herself by beating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019. Now a two-time major champion, she’s got a great all-around game. On court, she moves beautifully and her serve is really big. She’s worked so hard putting more shape and control on her forehand. Opponents can mess with her rhythm on grass but she fights. AC
Taylor Fritz
Country: United States Age: 28 Ranking: 8
Fritz has had a few injury issues recently but he plays so well on grass. He’s thrived at Eastbourne, where he’s won multiple titles over the last few years.
Grand slam success still eludes him but the 2025 semi-finalist will return to SW19 with plenty of confidence and has all the attributes to enjoy another good fortnight. He’s got a big serve, great ground strokes and he returns well. TH
Wimbledon begins on Monday 29 June. Watch on BBC TV and iPlayer.
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