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First round action at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships began Monday at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club. 

The headliners on the first day were the top seeds in both the men’s and women’s draws, but Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka had very different days on Centre Court. Sinner needed five sets to defeat Miomir Kecmanovic (4-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3) in a grueling match that saw him take an awkward fall early that raised concern about a second straight early exit. He battled through that and insisted afterwards it would be good for him in the long run, but after such a dominant display in his championship run a year ago, he started his 2026 campaign looking mortal. Sabalenka, meanwhile, cruised past Teodora Kostovic (6-2, 6-3) for a needed confidence builder after her rough French Open. 

Monday was also an excellent day for the American contingent in London. 

In the men’s draw, No. 16 Lerner Tien and No. 21 Tommy Paul both got off to strong starts with first round wins, while Ethan Quinn pulled off one of the big upsets of the day, taking down No. 14 Luciano Darderi in straight sets (7-6, 7-5, 6-2). No. 28 Brandon Nakashima’s match was postponed due to darkness, but he is up two sets and 4-3 in the third and will look to close that out quickly on Tuesday morning.

On the women’s side, No. 4 Jessica Pegula, No. 7 Coco Gauff and No. 16 Iva Jovic all rolled to first round wins in straight sets, while No. 28 Ann Li was the lone seeded American to fall on Monday. 

Tuesday’s action at Wimbledon be headlined by Serena Williams’ return after a four-year absence, as she takes on Maya Joint in the final match on Centre Court Tuesday night. Other American stars in action on Tuesday include No. 4 Ben Shelton, No. 6 Taylor Fritz and No. 17 Francis Tiafoe on the men’s side, and No. 6 Amanda Anisimova and No. 26 Madison Keys in the women’s draw. 

Keep it locked here over the next two weeks for our complete coverage of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships.

Where to watch the 2026 Wimbledon ChampionshipsDates: June 29 – July 12, 2026Location: All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club — LondonTV: ESPN, ABC | Stream: fubo (try for free)Notable Gentlemen’s singles matches on Monday

1. Jannik Sinner def. Miomir Kecmanovic — (4-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3)
3. Felix Auger-Aliassime def. Alexander Shevchenko — (6-3, 6-1, 6-4)
7. Novak Djokovic def. Y.B. Wu — (6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4)
8. Daniil Medvedev def. Marin Cilic — (6-1, 6-2, 6-4)
Hubert Hurkacz def. 11. Casper Ruud — (6-4, 6-2, 7-6)
Roman Safiullin def. 12. Andrey Rublev — (6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6)
Ethan Quinn def. 14. Luciano Darderi — (7-6, 7-5, 6-2)
16. Learner Tien def. Dalibor Svrcina — (6-1, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3)
21. Tommy Paul def. Alexandre Muller — (6-1, 6-2, 6-1)
22. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina def. Juan Manuel Cernudolo — (6-4, 6-4, 7-6)
23. Rafael Jodar def. Felix Gill — (6-3, 6-3, 7-5)
24. Joao Fonseca def. Roberto Agut — (7-6, 6-4, 6-3)
25. Arthur Rinderknech def. Oliver Tarvet — (7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-5)
Michael Zheng def. 26. Cameron Norrie — (6-7, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 7-6)
28. Brandon Nakashima vs. Jack Pinnington Jones
31. Ignacio Buse def. Emiliano Nava — (7-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-0)

Notable Ladies’ singles matches on Monday

1. Aryna Sabalenka def. Teodora Kostovic — (6-2, 6-3)
4. Jessica Pegula def. Darja Vidmanova — (7-5, 6-3)
5. Mirra Andreeva def. Magda Linette — (7-5, 6-4)
7. Coco Gauff def.  Tamara Korpatsch — (6-2, 6-1)
10. Karolina Muchova def. Anastasia Zakharova — (6-3, 6-2)
11. Belinda Bencic def. Mika Stojsavljevic — (6-2, 6-1)
14. Naomi Osaka def. Elsa Jacquemot — (6-1, 7-5)
16. Iva Jovic def. Jacqueline Cristian — (7-6, 6-0)
18. Ekaterina Alexandrova def. Panna Udvardy (6-4, 6-2)
19. Anna Kalinskaya def. Magdalena Frech — (7-6. 6-4)
Mananchaya Sawangkaew def. 20. Maja Chwalinska — (2-6, 7-5, 6-2)
Janice Tjen def. 22. Leylah Fernandez — (6-1, 7-6)
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro def. 27. Anastasia Potapova — (6-2, 6-3)
Zenyep Sonmez def. 28. Ann Li — (7-5, 1-6, 6-4)
32. Katerina Siniakova def. Qinwen Zheng — (6-4, 6-4)