Aryna Sabalenka has done it. She breaks Carson Branstine’s serve, and the Canadian’s estimable resistance in the second set, at the sixth time of asking, and then serves out with aplomb. They share a warm handshake at the net, and there’s a warm ovation for the qualifier as she leaves Court One. Next up for the world No1: last year’s quarter-finalist Lulu Sun, or the Czech Marie Bouzkova.
Sabalenka advanced in straight sets
AP
Sabalenka dealing with model recovery
James Gheerbrant, at Wimbledon
This has been such an impressive resurgence in the second set by Carson Branstine. She’s really hitting her spots now with her first serve, and leads Aryna Sabalenka 5-4 on serve in the second set – despite an apparent issue with the lack of a Scrunchie hair tie. Branstine informed the chair umpire at the last changeover that she needed one “immediately”. We can only hope that this urgent request is being addressed as we speak.
The three teenage British Wimbledon wild cards
Neil Squires
It may be too early in their careers to expect anything in the way of a deep run but the collective potential of Mika Stojsavljevic, Hannah Klugman and Mimi Xu has added an extra sense of anticipation to this year’s Wimbledon Championships.
They have already made a huge impact at junior level. Stojsavljevic, 16, won last year’s US Open girls’ title; Xu, 17, reached the semi-finals in 2023; and Klugman, 16, was runner-up at the French Open girls’ tournament this month.
● Read more: British Wimbledon wild cards are stubborn, playful and conscientious
James Gheerbrant, at Wimbledon
Arthur Fery, the British wild card, is playing an absolute blinder in his first round match against the 20th seed Alexei Popyrin. Fery, who is the son of the president of the French football club Lorient, has just taken the second set 6-1 to go two sets up. Cam Norrie however has lost the second 6-3 against Roberto Bautista Agut. And the Greek 24th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas had dropped the first of his match 6-3 against the French qualifier Valentin Royer.
Branstine not just a pretty face
James Gheerbrant, at WImbledon
It’s been a much more composed start to the second set by Carson Branstine. She’s just beginning to find her best stuff on No1 Court, in what is her first-ever grand-slam main-draw match. The world No194 has held her first three service games in the second set against the top seed Aryna Sabalenka. Branstine, a 24-year-old who funds her tennis career through modeling, gives herself periodic ultimatums: she would have quit, she says, had her ranking not been high enough to get into the French Open (it was); her next non-negotiable is to get into the top 100 by the end of this year.
Butterflies of all kinds for Alcaraz v Fognini
Alyson Rudd, at Wimbledon
It’s like being trapped in a butterfly house here on Centre with so many spectators fanning themselves in fluttering fashion. Plus there are actual butterflies. Fabio Fognini, the 38-year-old Italian held serve in the opening game with an old school elegance while Carlos Alcaraz did likewise in his first service game but in a more no nonsense fashion which implies he is playing with next week in mind as well as this afternoon.
The robots are taking over
David Brown, at Wimbledon
The first Wimbledon with an artificial intelligence replacing human line judges got off to a quiet start with complaints that calls can not be heard.
Yue Yuan, the Chinese player, complained that she could not hear the calls during her match against Eva Lys of Germany on Court 7.
A Wimbledon spokesman said the calls were primarily for the players but are expected to be audible to spectators.
The line call announcements have been recorded from the voices of 20 members of staff at the All England Club. Not only are they noticeably quieter but there is no visual representation to replace the line judge’s outstretched arm when an “out” call is made.ᐧ
Football royalty in the Royal Box
Some blokes who used to kick a football around are watching Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court. The one on the right even brought his mum along.
Sir Gareth Southgate and Sir David Beckham in the Royal Box prior to the match between Fabio Fognini of Italy and Carlos Alcaraz
GETTY
Sabalenka picture perfect
James Gheerbrant, at WImbledon
Aryna Sabalenka has taken just 24 minutes to seal the first set against Carson Branstine – not before the Canadian managed to get on the board though, by holding in her third service game. There was a lovely moment when she got over the line in that game with an ace, and pointed to the sky and shouted ‘Yes!’ But it was an isolated moment of respite in what was otherwise a dominant set by Sabalenka, which she won 6-1.
Two Brits have taken the opening set in their matches, continuing what has been a really strong day for the home players so far. Cam Norrie took the opener 6-3 against Roberto Bautista Agut, in a match pitting two former Wimbledon semi-finalists against each other. And on Court 15, wild card Arthur Fery is leading the 20th seed Alexei Popyrin by a set and break, having taken the opener 6-4.
Incredible win for Tarvet
Tom Kershaw, at Wimbledon
Oliver Tarvet screams with delight, punches the air, and runs over to hug his team after a fantastic 6-4. 6-4, 6-4 victory over Leandro Reidi. The lowest-ranked player in the main draw at world No719, the 21-year-old never looked out of his comfort zone and made just ten unforced errors all match. His first serve was tremendous, too, losing only three points against Reidi, 23, who was ranked as high as No117 just over a year ago.
The first British man to come through qualifying since 2017, his reward for the biggest victory of his career thus far will be a second-round match against the winner of Carlos Alcaraz vs Fabio Fognini, which is just getting underway on Centre Court. Tarvet is also guaranteed to move inside the world’s top 400, however, a reminder that he only receive £7,300 out of the £99,000 he has now earned due to his status as an amateur on the college circuit with the University of San Diego.
James Gheerbrant, at Wimbledon
As expected, a brisk, businesslike start for Aryna Sabalenka on Court One. She has broken Carson Branstine in both of her first two service games to lead 5-0, and truth be told, the Canadian qualifier is looking a little overawed out there. Sabalenka is playing her first Grand Slam match since losing in the French Open final to Coco Gauff. Afterwards, she admitted that her comments following the match had not given Gauff enough credit; speaking on the eve of this tournament, she described her reaction as “unprofessional” and said she had learnt her lesson about being a better loser.
Elgan Alderman, at Wimbledon
Ons Jabeur, who retired in her match earlier on today, said she would spend time away from tennis to recharge after a difficult spell. “I wasn’t expecting not to feel good,” she said. “I have been practising pretty well the last few days but I guess these things happen. I’m pretty sad, it really doesn’t really help with my confidence and what I keep pushing myself to do even though it was a very tough season for me.”
“That was by far one of the toughest matches I’ve played,” Kartal said. “I would say that I struggle against the big hitters, so getting that win today after her beating me last week was great.
“I’ve made a conscious effort this year to play the bigger matches and put myself under the most pressure out on court. I knew that I wouldn’t get the results straightaway but that it would eventually pay off, and that’s what happened today.”
Of her Wimbleon run last year, she said: “It was probably one of the best tournaments I’ve ever had and my most favourite. I left here last year feeling a much more confident player, on and off the court. I knew my level was there but I had to force it out of myself. Throughout this whole year, I’ve felt I’m playing better and improving each week so I want to see how far I can go.”
Wimbledon says goodbye to line judges
John Westerby
Where would John McEnroe have been without line judges to rant and rave at? “I’d have less white hair and I’d have wasted less energy, I presume I’d have been more boring,” McEnroe said. “It’s nice to know the calling is accurate. But there’s something about the interaction I think people will miss.”
McEnroe, the three-times Wimbledon champion turned commentator, is referring to the fact that, for the first time in the 148-year history of the championships, there will be no line judges at the tournament over the next fortnight.
● Read more: Wimbledon says goodbye to line judges after 148 years of service
Kartal knocks out Ostapenko
Elgan Alderman, at Wimbledon
A terrific win for Sonay Kartal, who is into the second round for a second successive Wimbledon. She knocks out Jelena Ostapenko, the No20 seed and a grand-slam champion, 7-5, 2-6, 6-2. Six days ago she lost this match-up in straight sets at Eastbourne.
Kartal is en route to retaining the ranking points she gained last year by reaching the third round, ensuring she could remain in the top 50. Her second-round opponent will be Viktoriya Tomova, who received a walkover against Ons Jabeur. Jabeur has had a run of injuries that have led her to drop down the rankings, and in oppressive heat she required a medical timeout in the first set before withdrawing from the match after two games of the second.
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Tomova is ranked No111 in the world, so Kartal will be viewed as the favourite. A word too for Kartal’s retro shirt, redolent of a 1980s football jersey.
Sabalenka up against a literal model
James Gheerbrant, at WImbledon
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No1, is out on No1 Court for her first-rounder against Canada’s Carson Branstine. Sabalenka has been tipped by many as a potential winner, having lost in the semi-finals on her past two appearances at the All England. Branstine is a part-time model who has never played a grand slam main-draw match, but she advanced though qualifying in impressive fashion, beating French Open semi-finalist Lois Boisson and former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu.
Branstine is a part-time model
PA
Exclusive access to a day in the life of Aryna Sabalenka
As mentioned, the scream queen Aryna Sabalenka is in action today, kicking off the fun on No1 Court. Ever wondered how she prepares for Wimbledon? Well our tennis correspondent found out first hand. Saba invited Stuart Fraser around for breakfast and provided an insight into what goes into her preparations. No word on if Stu was involved in any TikTok dances or not.
● Read more: Aryna Sabalenka: Exclusive access to a day in the life of world No1
James Gheerbrant, at Wimbledon
Daniil Medvedev, the ninth seed, has levelled his match against France’s Benjamin Bonzi, taking the second set 6-3, and it’s also now one set apiece on Court 16, where Oliver Crawford, the British wild card, has dropped the second against Mattia Bellucci by the same score.
Tom Kershaw, at Wimbledon
Oliver Tarvet has taken a two-set lead against Leandro Reidi. What a dream start for the 21-year-old, who looks far more comfortable out on court and is capitalising on Reidi’s error-strewn groundstrokes. His serve came under a little pressure at deuce at 4-3 but Tarvet rose to it yet again and closed out the set 6-4. He is yet to face a single break point all match.
Should he reach the second round, Tarvet would be due to earn at least £99,000, however, his amateur status as a college player for the University of San Diego means he will only be able to claim £7,300 of that. More pertinently, he will also be in line to face the winner of Carlos Alcaraz vs Fabio Fognini, which opens play on Centre Court at 1.30pm this afternoon. After flying under the radar compared to many of his British peers as a junior and coming through qualifying to reach the main draw, a likely Centre Court debut against the Spaniard would mark some arrival.
Tarvet celebrates against Riedi
GETTY
It’s all over for Ons Jabeur. We saw her take a long medical timeout in the first set, and having lost that set against Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova, and fallen 2-0 behind in the second, she comes to the net and offers a handshake to her opponent, signalling her retirement.
Jabeur, of course, has lost two Wimbledon finals, and it’s another sad ending at SW19 for the Tunisian. And that may be a result with some British significance, because Tomova, the world No83, will meet the winner of the match between Sonay Kartal and Jelena Ostapenko in the second round.
Tennis’s most outspoken man
Tom Kershaw
Patrick Mouratoglou is the coach behind ten of Serena Williams’s grand-slam titles and almost as many controversial opinions.
Williams’s extraordinary meltdown during the 2018 US Open final against Naomi Osaka after the home favourite was penalised because of the Frenchman’s on-court coaching? “Extremely unfair … a terrible job … the chair umpire probably felt it was his moment of glory.”
The authorities’ treatment of Simona Halep, who failed a drugs test while being coached by Mouratoglou in 2022? “Ridiculous … a scandal … they ruined her career.”
● Read more: Tennis’s most outspoken man on Serena, doping and the secrets of coaching
Svitolina the first winner this year
James Gheerbrant, at Wimbledon
We have our first winner of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. Elina Svitolina, the 14th seed and a former semi-finalist here, has motored through her first-round match against Hungary’s Anna Bondar, wrapping up a 6-3, 6-1 win in 62 minutes. Meanwhile, two other notable players have dropped the first set of their match on a tie-break: Daniil Medvedev, the ninth seed and a semi-finalist here last year, against France’s Benjamin Bonzi, and Ons Jabeur, a two-times runner-up here, against Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria.
Henman Hill looking sparse
Alyson Rudd, at Wimbledon via bicycle
I have varied my cycle route this year so that I pedalled past the Marc Bolan shrine in Barnes which has been tidied up and full of neatly placed teddy bears and, of course, white swans. I also cleverly took paths that were shady and dappled but that did not prevent me arriving dripping with perspiration. The heat is an issue and Henman Hill is quieter than it would normally be with spectators sensibly keen to save the sunburn for the big names on the big screen from 1pm. Tim Henman was on Radio Five Live this morning joking that he’s never heard of Murray Mound. I’m with him on that. We can’t keep renaming stuff. Raducanu Ridge? Nah.
James Gheerbrant, at Wimbledon
It couldn’t be going much better for the Brits right now. As well as Sonay Kartal and Oliver Tarvet, the other home player out on court, the world No248 Oliver Crawford, has also taken the first set of his first-round match, winning a tie-break 7-2 against the Italian Mattia Bellucci.
Tom Kershaw, at Wimbledon
Oliver Tarvet celebrates taking the first set against Leandro Riedi with a huge fist pump. The 21-year-old from St Albans broke serve at 4-4 and then held his own to move into the ascendancy against the world No503, much to the delight of the sun-baked crowd on Court No4. Tarvet’s first serve has been tremendous, winning all 16 points in the first set when it has gone in. Riedi’s ranking might be relatively unimpressive, but the 23-year-old from Switzerland peaked at No117 just over a year ago before a serious knee injury stalled his momentum.
Elgan Alderman, at Wimbledon
Sonay Kartal has taken the first set against Jelena Ostapenko. The Briton was 5-2 down and her opponent had the chance to serve for the set at 5-3 but imploded with a few double faults thrown in, and Kartal took five games in a row for 7-5. In the oppressive heat, the crowd at No3 Court were chatting a bit loudly, and Kartal asked the umpire to remind them of their expected silence before the comeback began.
Kartal returns to Ostapenko of Latvia during their first round match
Who rich and/or famous in the Royal Box?
James Gheerbrant, at Wimbledon
Quite an eclectic selection of famous faces on the Royal Box list for today. Sarah, Duchess of York and Princess Beatrice are joined by Sir David Beckham and Sir Gareth Southgate; the former England bowler Stuart Broad and his partner Mollie King, the radio presenter; Richard Osman, who is listed as ‘TV presenter, crime novelist, [All England] Club Quiz Night host 2023’; Eddie Redmayne, the Oscar-winning actor; Jason Isaacs, star of the latest series of the White Lotus; and the Australian ballet dancer Steven McRae, principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, London.
Jabeur back after 14-minute medical timeout
After a break of 14 minutes, Jabeur has returned to the court and it looks like she’s going to be OK to continue for now. Meanwhile, on Court 15, the first set of the 2025 Championships has been won by last year’s semi-finalist Donna Vekic, who has taken the opener 6-0 against Australia’s Kim Birrell.
Jabeur really struggling in the heat
There are already some early signs that the heat may be taking a toll. On Court 14, two-times runner-up Ons Jabeur, whose match against Viktoriya Tomova is on serve, appears to be really struggling. She had her head in a towel and appeared to be crying. The trainer was summoned and, after having her vitals taken and wearing a blood-pressure cuff, Jabeur has gone off court for a medical time-out.
Tom Kershaw, at Wimbledon
There was an early scare for Oliver Tarvet, who has drawn a crowd packed four-rungs deep to court No4. After racing to 40-0 in his opening service game, he was pegged back to deuce by Leandro Riedi in a series of powerful baseline rallies, but the 21-year-old then evidenced the talent that got him through qualifying with a fantastic backhand cross-court winner off his heels.
Tarvet forced a break point of his own in Riedi’s following service game, but the pair remain level at 2-2. The 21-year-old certainly doesn’t seem daunted by the stage thus far. Whether his fitness holds up in this heat is another question. His victory over world No144 Alexander Blockx in the final round of qualifying was his first best-of-five match.
Phone call from Sir Alex was the making of ‘maverick’s’ career
Alyson Rudd
Andy Lapthorne was, he admits “a bit of a Nick Kyrgios” until Sir Alex Ferguson phoned him before the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
The legendary former Manchester United manager issued the most significant pep talk of Lapthorne’s life, telling him to focus and use his natural ability more profitably.
“That phone call is still giving me goosebumps,” Lapthorne says. “We chatted about Eric Cantona, because obviously he’d [Ferguson] been told what I was like [by a mutual friend], a bit of a maverick and stuff, and he was talking about embracing that, but also about listening to people that know me.”
● Read more: Sir Alex Ferguson phone call was the making of maverick’s career
British world No719 Oliver Tarvet qualifies for Wimbledon
Tom Kershaw, at Wimbledon
Oliver Tarvet is about to make his singles debut in the main draw against Switzerland’s Leandro Riedi on Court No4. The 21-year-old from St Albans is the lowest-ranked player in the men’s draw after becoming the first British man to come through qualifying since 2017. However, the world No 719 will have to forgo almost £60,000 in prize money because of his status as a college athlete in the United States. A student at the University of San Diego, Tarvet is thought to be much better than his rankings suggests and overcame Belgium’s world No 144, Alexander Blockx, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 to seal his place here.
● Read more: British world No719 Oliver Tarvet qualifies for Wimbledon
James Gheerbrant, at Wimbledon
As well as the three Britons beginning their Wimbledon campaign at 11am, there are some notable overseas players in action. On Court Two, Daniil Medvedev, the ninth seed, who reached the semi-finals last year, begins against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi. On Court 14, Ons Jabeur, twice a losing finalist at SW19, faces Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria. Jabeur has fallen down the rankings after an underwhelming season. And on Court 12, the 12th seed Frances Tiafoe faces Elmer Moller of Denmark.
Alcaraz enjoys some golf with Murray
Stuart Fraser, at Wimbledon
Last year on the night before Wimbledon I spotted Carlos Alcaraz out on the golf course at Royal Wimbledon searching for his ball after a wayward drive into the rough. Asked the next day about his round, the Spaniard said it was the best way to relax and keep his mind off tennis for a few hours.
Yesterday afternoon, Alcaraz was back on the course for a few hours before the defence of his Wimbledon title. He messaged Andy Murray in the morning for a game and claimed a hard-earned victory to avenge the defeat he suffered by the retired Brit last Monday at Beaverbrook.
At 1.30pm it is time for Alcaraz to fully focus on his tennis when he walks out onto Centre Court as the defending champion for his opening match against Italy’s Fabio Fognini.
Why this is a golden age for British tennis
Stuart Fraser, at Wimbledon
Who better than John McEnroe to provide an objective view of the state of British tennis? Since his Wimbledon debut as an 18-year-old American qualifier in 1977, he has been back for every championships as a player or a pundit.
“I think now no one looks at it like, ‘Oh my god, I hope I play a British guy,’ ” he says of the mindset of modern players. “There might be a couple of wild cards that get in now who would be good draws because they’re trying to make it. But for the most part, all the British players in the draw now are legit players.”
It’s not quite time to pin up the Union flag bunting, but there is undoubtedly a sense at the All England Club that this is, dare we say it, something of a golden era for British tennis.
● Read more: Why this is a golden age for British tennis
What happened last year on day one at Wimbledon?
Last year on the opening day, Wimbledon served up its usual mix of rain delays, roaring crowds, and drama.
Eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz breezed through his title defence like he was born on Centre Court, while world No1 Jannik Sinner dropped a set just to keep things interesting as he advanced.
On the women’s side, Coco Gauff barely broke a sweat, Naomi Osaka made a stylishly wobbly return, and Emma Raducanu won after her opponent ghosted mid-match.
Off the court, the injury bug took a brutal swing at the women’s draw — Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka both withdrew, leaving their spots as empty as a strawberry punnet by noon.
Wimbledon was well and truly underway—umbrellas and all.
Elgan Alderman, (nearly) at Wimbledon
Travel problems started early for me on day one. Signal failure on the District Line meant that just after 9am, when I travelled in, services were ending at Parsons Green, three stops earlier than the customary Southfields departure for tennis fans (though end-destination trains subsequently arrived). Also at 0917, the announcer at Earl’s Court warned anyone thinking of joining the Queue not to do so because several hours of waiting were in store. Yes, that’s right — did you know Wimbledon operates a Queue? Haven’t heard it mentioned much.
Among the 11am British interest is Sonay Kartal. Twelve months ago, she arrived at this stage as the world No298, winning three qualifiers and then succumbing in the third round against Coco Gauff. Her rise has continued ever since, up to a career-high No49. She did for a seed, Sorana Cirstea, last year and she will have to do even better this time: Jelena Ostapenko, the world No20, is her opponent. They actually played each other in Eastbourne last week, with the 2017 French Open champion winning 6-3, 7-6 (7-2).
The play gets underway around the ground at 11am, with the showcourts up and running this afternoon. Here is what you need to know.
Centre Court (from 1.30pm):
• Fabio Fognini vs Carlos Alcaraz (2)
• Paula Badosa (9) vs Katie Boulter
• Arthur Rinderknech vs Alexander Zverev (3)
No1 Court (from 1pm):
• Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs Carson Branstine (Q)
• Jacob Fearnley vs João Fonseca
• Emma Raducanu vs Mingge Xu (WC)
No2 Court (from 11am):
• Benjamin Bonzi vs Daniil Medvedev (9)
• Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Madison Keys (6)
• Jasmine Paolini (4) vs Anastasija Sevastova (PR)
• Taylor Fritz (5) vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
No3 Court (from 11am):
• Sonay Kartal vs Jelena Ostapenko (20)
• Holger Rune (8) vs Nicolás Jarry (Q)
• Matteo Berrettini (32) vs Kamil Majchrzak
• Katerina Siniaková vs Qinwen Zheng (5)
Good morning everyone. Is this as good as England gets? The sun is glorious, the grass is freshly cut, the nets are up and the queue is, well, queuing. That’s right, Wimbledon 2025 is here. That fortnight delight at the heart of British summer (when it allows) and we’ve got reporters everywhere bringing you the latest news and analysis from SW19. There is so much to get into so let’s not waste any time. Pop a little bit of the bubbly, and let’s have an ace time.