The third Grand Slam of the year — Familiar names are predicted to dominate the headlines in men's singles when Wimbledon starts in London on Monday. Along with a revenge-seeking Jannik Sinner and a history-chasing Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz enters as one of the favorites after winning the French Open in Paris.

On the other hand, the women's field is still quite open. Although Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff have shared nine of the previous ten majors, there is still no clear favorite on the grass courts of SW19, which have seen seven different champions in the last seven iterations.

Will Djokovic be able to disrupt the Sinner-Alcaraz celebration?

As he continues his quest for an unheard-of 25th Grand Slam championship, Novak Djokovic has had another strange year marred by persistent ailments. The Serb last won a significant competition at the 2023 US Open. In the time that has passed, next-generation players Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have established themselves, winning every Grand Slam in the past six tournaments, which is Djokovic's longest drought since he was sidelined by an elbow injury in 2017–2018.

However, Djokovic is still a strong player on grass despite his recent setbacks. Wimbledon is where he has won seven of his 24 majors, and since 2017, he has only lost twice on Center Court, both times in the championship match of the previous two editions against Alcaraz. Alcaraz, meanwhile, is in London with a fresh title defense at Queen's, which has solidified his position as the clear favorite. In an effort to complete the Channel Slam in consecutive years—a feat that only Björn Borg has accomplished—the Spaniard, who is attempting for an unusual three-peat as the two-time defending Wimbledon champion, will be aiming for it.

Despite his recent achievements, Sinner still has something to demonstrate on grass. Although his second-round loss to Alexander Bublik in Halle revealed vulnerabilities on the surface, his stellar French Open run makes him Alcaraz's main rival at SW19.

Taylor Fritz, who has won two grass-court championships in three weeks, the Boss Open and Eastbourne, is another name to keep an eye on as he enters Wimbledon in terrific shape.

Ranking men's top contenders:

1. Alcaraz

2. Djokovic

3. Sinner

4. Taylor Fritz

Who are the dark horses?

Bublik, for certain, after his stunning run to a title win in Halle. The draw may not have been kind on Lorenzo Musetti, last year's semifinalist in London, having landed in Sinner's quarter, but he is definitely among the contenders who could cause a potential upset.

Sabalenka leads women's charge?

Amid the unpredictability in the women’s draw at Wimbledon, Aryna Sabalenka has been the lone constant, having reached the second week in each of her last two appearances at the All England Club — in 2021 and 2023. She enters this year’s tournament in solid form, having made the semifinals in Berlin before falling to former Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová.

Coco Gauff, who clinched her second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros just three weeks ago by defeating Sabalenka, will be another major contender. However, the American still has a point to prove on London’s grass — the very city where she made her breakthrough by defeating five-time champion Venus Williams in the 2019 first round.

Former champion Elena Rybakina also ranks among the favourites, backed by a strong 16-2 record at Wimbledon over the past three years. If she can rediscover her peak form, the Kazakh could shake up the draw. She’s projected to face Iga Swiatek in the fourth round, followed by Gauff in the quarterfinals.

Ranking women's top contenders:

1. Sabalenka

2. Gauff

3. Rybakina

Who are the dark horses?

Jessica Pegula, fresh off her Bad Homburg title, certainly makes the cut and even has the backing of former star Andy Roddick. Iga Swiatek, despite reaching the final at Bad Homburg, finds herself surprisingly outside the list of favourites. A turbulent 2025 — marked by her fall to No. 8 in the rankings and an unsuccessful title defence at Roland Garros — has dimmed her standing ahead of Wimbledon.

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