As Summer is underway and London is showing signs of one of its warmest, sunniest Julys, Wimbledon is ready to welcome thousands of tennis fans to the sport’s most emblematic and sought-after tournament. From essential tips to the names worth watching out for in the Men’s category, we’ve gathered everything you need to know to make the most of the temple of tennis.
Grass courts. British elegance and classy etiquette. Strawberries and cream. Actors, kings and queens, athletes, businessmen and celebrities. Pimm’s in hand - and perhaps a touch of rain, as one might expect in the British summer. The All Lawn Tennis Club - home of the Wimbledon Championships - was founded in 1868 and is hosting its 138th edition to date. From next Monday, June 30th, until July 13th, the most prestigious of tournaments for players and attendees alike is set to take place in what promises to be an eventful, fierce and emotional competition.
If you’ve ever attended Wimbledon, you would know that from the moment you arrive at the grounds entrance, something of global significance and historical magnitude is about to unfold. Once the gates are crossed, you will be greeted by the massive walls around Court No.1 and Centre Court, which, put together, can accommodate more than 27,000 people. This is where you first realise that attending Wimbledon is not a simple task of getting to your seat at the court you want. It feels more like an amusement park, where you can wander around the grounds to get a glimpse of all the small courts, the medium-sized courts or even walk up to The Hill. On the way, you might cross a player heading to his court or about to warm up - very casual.
Moreover, Wimbledon’s staff operate with impeccable precision - nothing is left to chance. Don’t expect to simply stroll into your seat. At the tennis courts, ushers will ask you to wait for a changeover before allowing entry, giving departing spectators time to exit before guiding you to your place. On the smaller courts, the atmosphere is more relaxed, allowing you to slip into the stands with ease and catch casually a Top-40 match up close. Just be sure to have a drink in hand - those courts are fully exposed to the sun.
This year’s competition promises to be nothing short of competitive. If Roland Garros felt intense, Wimbledon will raise the stakes even higher. Here, players push themselves to their absolute limits, drawn in by the tournament’s unmistakable aura. In the men’s draw, the favourites are familiar names - seasoned contenders ready to make their mark once again on the sport’s most hallowed grounds.
Alcaraz is expected to reach the finals with relative ease, having just claimed the Queen’s Club title just a few days ago after a brief holiday in Ibiza. There, he displayed signs of significant improvement on his serve - living up to the ‘servebot’ nickname with newfound authority. His first test comes against veteran Fabio Fognini (ranked 130), in Centre Court clash Monday, the 30th.
There’s a collective hope that the Italian will reach the final and treat us to another electrifying showdown with Alcaraz. Since returning from a three-month suspension, his level of play has been absolutely electrifying: Until the semifinals, potential challengers appear unlikely to pose a serious threat - where a much-anticipated clash with Novak Djokovic could await. A minor setback occurred just before Wimbledon, with a second-round exit at the Halle Open against Alexander Bublik. Yet, Wimbledon seems to be the perfect place for Sinner to reaffirm his status as the world No.1.
How could we ever count out the most decorated player in tennis history? While Djokovic has struggled for consistency this season - marked by irregular breakthroughs and downfalls and signs of physical decline - his presence always sparks fear in opponents. Just last year, he reached the Wimbledon final, falling only to Alcaraz’s power and relentless intensity. This year, he could face Jack Draper in the quarterfinals, followed by a potential semifinal showdown with Sinner - both young players who could test his endurance limits. Still, Nole can never be ruled out.
Draper will once again be playing in front of a home crowd, just as he did at Queen’s in 2025. Yet, while the crowd's energy may lift him, it won’t guarantee the deep run he undoubtedly hopes for. The young Brit is expected to navigate the early rounds, but the third round could present his first true test: Alexander Bublik, fresh off a title win in Halle, where he overcame both Sinner and Medvedev with jaw-dropping performances. Should Draper advance, a potential quarter-final with Djokovic will be yet another test to Draper’s grass ability.
The 28-year-old Kazakh has often been characterised as an irregular talent who can simply lose focus in an important match. Yet, his conditions and talent are superb. At one point he ranked as low as 80 in the world, coming close to retiring from the sport. But he chose to fight - coming back and defeating Jack Draper to reach the Roland Garros quarterfinals, where he fell to Sinner. His recent triumph at the Halle Open in Germany has put him back on the map. We ask ourselves: could Wimbledon be the stage for the performance of his life?
Let the grass season begin!
