We are set for an exciting week at Wimbledon, with the biggest names in tennis set to compete for a shot at history. Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner are set to headline the women’s and men’s events, respectively.
Defending champions Barbora Krejcikova and Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu, Madison Keys, and Alexander Zverev are some names to look out for at SW19.
Let’s take a look at some of the most exciting opening matches lined up at the 2025 edition:
1. Petra Kvitova vs Emma Navarro
Shortly after receiving a wildcard to compete at this year’s championships, two-time former champion Petra Kvitova announced that she would be retiring at the end of the season, making this the last opportunity for the big-hitting Czech to make an impact at her favourite tournament.
Kvitova, however, has her task cut out in the form of American top 10 player Emma Navarro.
Billionaire heiress Navarro played three grass tune-up events ahead of Wimbledon, faring best at the Bad Homburg Open, where she made the quarterfinals. This match between established stalwart versus promising newcomer ought to serve up some sallivating tennis.
2. Carlos Alcaraz vs Fabio Fognini
Even though former World No. 9 Fabio Fognini has appeared to be on the decline the last few years, the 38-year-old could prove to be a tricky opponent for World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in his opener.
In-form Alcaraz, who won his second Major at the Queen’s Club days after a thrilling French Open win over Jannik Sinner, is the firm favourite going into the match.
However, Fognini, likely playing in his last Wimbledon, has the ability to trouble anybody in the world.
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Although Alcaraz holds a 2-0 advantage in their head-to-head, their last match at the Rio Open in 2023 went to three sets.
3. Coco Gauff vs Dayana Yastremska
All eyes are on Coco Gauff to see how she follows up her spectacular win at the French Open. The 21-year-old will go toe-to-toe against Dayana Yastremska, who can be a dangerous opponent.
The Ukrainian made it to the Round of 16 at Wimbledon in 2019, which means she can play on grass. Gauff leads the rivalry 3-0.
4. Barbora Krejcikova vs Alexandra Eala
Barbora Krejcikova, the defending champion, will face a tough first-round opponent in the form of Alexandra Eala. The former World No. 2 has struggled with injuries this year. At the French Open this year, which she won in 2021, Krejcikova was bundled out in the second round. Moving onto the grass court swing, the Czech had a mixed bag of results.
Eala, 20, has had her breakout season on tour this year. The Filipino player burst onto the scene by making the semifinal of the Miami Open, taking out Iga Swiatek en route.
5. Taylor Fritz vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
The in-form Taylor Fritz faces a tricky opponent in the form of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, one of the hardest servers on tour. After a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the French Open, the top-ranked American on tour has found his footing on grass.
Fritz won his very first grass event – the Boss Open – with a win over Alexander Zverev in the final. However, he was bundled out in the first round of the HSBC Championships.
The American found form again in his next tournament at Eastbourne, making it to the semifinal.
6. Alexander Zverev vs Arthur Rinderknech
Despite showing brief flashes of brilliance, Alexander Zverev has failed to make a mark during the grass-court swing. This year, the big-hitting German entered two grasscourt tournaments in Germany – the BOSS Open and Halle Open – but failed to lift a single trophy.
The Zverev versus Arthur Rinderknech match will be the first meeting between the duo. The 29-year-old Rinderknech is no slouch on grass and made the quarterfinals of Queen’s this year, losing to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Last year, the Frenchman made it to the second round, where he pushed American 13th seed Taylor Fritz in a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 loss. The two later had a fiery exchange at the net, with Fritz telling his opponent to “have a nice flight home.”
7. Holger Rune vs Nicolas Jarry
Holger Rune is another ATP top 10 player who faces a tricky opponent in the first round. Big-hitting Chilean Nicolas Jarry’s game translates well to the grass, and he made the third round in 2023, where he gave a tough contest to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Meanwhile, Rune has shown incredible consistency throughout 2025. The Dane won the Barcelona Open with a win over Alcaraz.
8. Learner Tien vs Nishesh Basavareddy
Learner Tien, a relative newcomer to the tour, has shown remarkable consistency to enter the top 70 in the ATP rankings this year. Tien first made waves by making the fourth round at the Australian Open. He will compete against another young American, Nishesh Basavareddy of Indian origin.
This will be the first Wimbledon for 20-year-old Basavareddy, who made his top 100 debut this year. Notably, both newcomers competed at the ATP Next Gen Finals in 2024.
9. Paula Badosa vs Katie Boulter
Paula Badosa has been making a steady climb up the rankings ever since she dropped out of the top 100 due to injuries. The 2024 WTA Comeback Player of the Year continues to be troubled by her injuries and was forced to retire midway through her quarterfinal at the Berlin Open.
Badosa, who has made the Round of 16 thrice at the championships, will take on home hope Katie Boulter. The latter’s best showing at her home slam has been third-round showings in 2022 and 2023.
Could Badosa’s injuries play a role in this match?
10. Aryna Sabalenka vs Carson Branstine
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has hit a hot streak of form this year. Despite making the finals of the Australian Open and French Open, the Belarusian failed to lift a trophy.
Sabalenka competed at the Berlin Open, where she made the semifinals before being bundled out by eventual champion Markéta Vondroušová in straight sets.
Interestingly, her first round opponent is perhaps better known for her modelling assignments and not tennis.
US-born Branstine, who represents Canada, works as a professional model and is signed to two modelling agencies.
11. Amanda Anisimova vs Yulia Putintseva
Amanda Anisimova, ranked No. 13 in the world, will have her work cut out in the first round against Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan. Once ranked as high as No. 20 in the world, the diminutive packs a serious punch on the grass and made it as far as the Round of 16 in 2024.
Anisimova, 23, took a break from tennis in 2023 as she struggled with form and motivation. In recent months, however, the American has made significant strides in tennis, making deep runs in every single match that she has entered.
Although the consistent American will be a favourite heading into the match, do not put it past the 30-year-old Putintseva to spring a surprise.
