Wimbledon 2026 Preview: can anyone stop Sinner on tennis' biggest stage?
Two weeks after Roland Garros, the ATP Tour arrives at the most prestigious tournament in tennis.
Wimbledon remains the ultimate prize on grass courts, combining history, tradition and sporting significance unlike any other event in the game. Every generation has been defined by its champions at the All England Club, from Björn Borg and Pete Sampras to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
The 2026 edition begins with a clear storyline. Jannik Sinner arrives in London as the world No. 1 and the dominant player of the season, while several of his biggest rivals enter the tournament with questions to answer.
After a year already filled with major milestones, the Italian now has an opportunity to strengthen his position at the top of the sport and add another chapter to an extraordinary campaign.
Sinner enters Wimbledon as the favourite
For the first time in his career, Sinner arrives at Wimbledon as the player every contender must beat.
The Italian has enjoyed one of the most impressive seasons of the modern era, capturing Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome before a disappointing Roland Garros campaign ended his momentum. Despite that setback, his position at the top of the ATP Rankings remains secure.
What makes Sinner particularly dangerous on grass is the evolution of his game over the last two seasons.
His serve has become one of the most effective weapons on Tour, his movement continues to improve and his ability to take the ball early allows him to dominate rallies on faster surfaces. Wimbledon was once viewed as a long-term objective; now it is a tournament where he enters as the leading contender.
A deep run would further cement his status as the dominant force of the current ATP landscape.
Zverev looks to build on his Roland Garros breakthrough
Few players arrive in London with more confidence than Alexander Zverev.
The German finally captured his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, ending years of near misses and establishing himself as one of the defining players of the season.
Grass has never been his most successful surface, but his powerful serve and aggressive baseline game make him a dangerous opponent in any draw. The biggest question surrounding Zverev is whether he can translate the momentum from Paris into another deep run at a major.
A strong Wimbledon performance would confirm that his breakthrough in Paris was the beginning of a new phase rather than a standalone achievement.
Djokovic remains a threat
It would be unwise to discuss Wimbledon without mentioning Novak Djokovic.
No active player has enjoyed more success at the All England Club. The Serbian’s seven Wimbledon titles place him alongside Pete Sampras and second only to Roger Federer’s record of eight.
Even at this stage of his career, Djokovic remains one of the most intelligent and efficient grass-court players in the world. His returning ability, tactical discipline and experience make him a dangerous proposition over best-of-five sets.
While questions about age and physical condition persist, history suggests that dismissing Djokovic at Wimbledon is rarely a wise decision.
Cobolli aims to continue his breakthrough season
One of the biggest stories of the ATP season has been the rise of Flavio Cobolli.
The Italian enjoyed a remarkable clay-court campaign and reached the Roland Garros final, establishing himself among the leading players of the next generation.
Grass represents a different challenge, particularly for a player whose biggest successes have come on slower surfaces. However, Cobolli’s confidence is likely at an all-time high and Wimbledon offers another opportunity to demonstrate that his rise is not temporary.
A second-week appearance would represent another significant step forward in his development.
The players capable of surprising
Every Wimbledon edition produces unexpected contenders.
The fast conditions often reward players with strong serves and aggressive styles, allowing dangerous outsiders to emerge.
Among the names to watch are:
- Félix Auger-Aliassime;
- Daniil Medvedev;
- Learner Tien;
- João Fonseca;
- Rafael Jódar;
- Luciano Darderi;
- Ben Shelton.
All possess qualities that can be particularly effective on grass and each has the potential to challenge higher-ranked opponents over the course of the fortnight.
As history repeatedly shows, Wimbledon is rarely predictable.