Wimbledon 2025 Preview: Dates, Players to Watch, Schedule & Ticket Guide

The Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy on display at Wimbledon – one of the most coveted prizes in tennis. Wimbledon 2025, the 138th edition of The Championships, is set to captivate the world as the sport’s oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam returns to the grass courts of London. Fans can expect two weeks of high drama and tradition at the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), with the spotlight squarely on the men’s and women’s singles events. From defending champions and top seeds to rising stars and historic storylines, here’s an in-depth preview of everything you need to know – including tournament dates, players to watch, format changes, major rivalries, what’s at stake, how to watch, ticket info, and the rich Wimbledon traditions that make this event unique.

Dates and Location

Wimbledon 2025  will take place from Monday, June 30 to Sunday, July 13, 2025 at its historic home: the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in the Wimbledon suburb of London, England. Over these 14 days, matches will be played on the AELTC’s immaculate grass courts—Wimbledon remains the only major tournament still played on natural grass. The women’s singles final is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, and the men’s singles final for Sunday, July 13, aligning with Wimbledon’s traditional second-Saturday and second-Sunday climax. Notably, the start time for both finals has moved from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM local time, with the men’s and women’s doubles finals now played earlier at 1:00 PM on their respective final days. This scheduling change—aimed at enhancing viewership in the Americas—marks a departure from the usual routine and reflects Wimbledon’s willingness to evolve while still honoring its legacy.

All matches are held on the AELTC grounds, famously referred to by its postal code “SW19.” The club’s showpiece Centre Court and secondary No. 1 Court both feature retractable roofs to guard against rain, ensuring the schedule stays on track. Daily play typically begins at 11:00 AM BST on outside courts, with Centre Court action starting in early afternoon. The inclusion of “Middle Sunday” play (implemented since 2022) continues in 2025, meaning there is now scheduled tennis every day during the fortnight, rather than a rest day mid-tournament as was tradition in the past. In short, the stage is perfectly set in London for two weeks of world-class tennis action on the iconic grass lawns of Wimbledon.

Defending Champions (2024)

The reigning singles champions headlining Wimbledon 2025 are looking to repeat their triumphs. In the Gentlemen’s Singles, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain returns as the defending champion. Alcaraz won Wimbledon in both 2023 and 2024, defeating seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in the final two years running—a stunning achievement that cements the 22-year-old as the new king of grass in Djokovic’s long-dominated kingdom. Over in the Ladies’ Singles, the defending champion is Barbora Krejčíková of the Czech Republic. Krejčíková’s victory in 2024 was a surprise to many, as she emerged from a wide-open field to claim her first Wimbledon title, beating unseeded Italian Jasmine Paolini in the final. Her win marked the second straight year a Czech player lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish (Markéta Vondroušová won in 2023), highlighting the recent trend of unexpected champions in the women’s draw. Both Alcaraz and Krejčíková will seek to defend their crowns in 2025, but face deep fields of hungry contenders eager to dethrone them.

Read more about Carlos Alcaraz here

Tournament Format and Draw Details

The Wimbledon singles competitions each feature a 128-player draw for men and women, with players competing in a knockout bracket over seven rounds (First Round through Final). There are 32 seeded players in each singles draw, who are placed in the bracket such that none can meet another seed until at least the Third Round, providing some protection for top-ranked contenders. The draw is conducted a few days before the tournament and generates projected paths for the favorites, though upsets often quickly rewrite those storylines.

Match format differs between the tours: men’s singles are best-of-five sets, while women’s singles are best-of-three sets. Wimbledon adheres to the Grand Slam standard seven-point tiebreaks in every set up to 6–6, and since 2022 it also uses a 10-point Championship tiebreak at 6–6 in the final set to decide matches, ending the former tradition of endless fifth sets. The tournament schedule is continuous across 14 days, with the fourth round split over Sunday/Monday of middle weekend, quarterfinals on Tuesday/Wednesday, women’s semifinals on Thursday, men’s semifinals on Friday, and the two finals on Saturday and Sunday.

A Wimbledon singles champion earns 2,000 ATP or WTA ranking points—often decisive in the battle for the year-end No. 1 ranking. The prize money has hit a record high in 2025, totaling £53.55 million overall, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each receiving £3 million. Between the prestige, the points, and the payday, every match is played for enormous stakes.

Players to Watch: Men’s Singles

• Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) – The 22-year-old defending champion is already a five-time Grand Slam winner and seeks a Wimbledon hat-trick. His explosive all-court game and fearless power make him the man to beat.
• Jannik Sinner (ITA) – Arriving as the new world No. 1, Sinner has captured multiple majors over the past year and is desperate to down Alcaraz on grass. Their burgeoning rivalry could define the next decade.
• Novak Djokovic (SRB) – A seven-time champion aiming to tie Federer’s record of eight men’s titles and claim an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam overall. At 38, he’s no longer the favorite but remains a formidable threat.
• Holger Rune (DEN) – The fearless 22-year-old boasts a heavy-hitting game and seeks a breakthrough on grass after mixed results in previous years.
• Daniil Medvedev (RUS) – A hard-court titan who continues to adapt to grass. His flat strokes and elite return can trouble anyone if he finds rhythm.
• Jack Draper (GBR) – The 23-year-old British No. 1 has rocketed into the top five and brings momentum from big hard-court wins. The home crowd believes he could make a deep run.

Read more about Novak Djokovic here

Players to Watch: Women’s Singles

• Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) – The world No. 1 owns incredible power and seeks her first Wimbledon title after two semifinal showings.
• Coco Gauff (USA) – Fresh off her second Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros, the 21-year-old prodigy aims to add a grass major to her growing résumé.
• Iga Świątek (POL) – A four-time major champion needing only Wimbledon to complete the Career Grand Slam. Consistency and adaptability are key to conquering grass.
• Elena Rybakina (KAZ) – The 2022 champion owns a huge serve and an 86 percent win rate at Wimbledon. She remains a top favorite on grass.
• Ons Jabeur (TUN) – Back-to-back finalist hungry to finally lift the trophy and make history for the Arab world. Her craft and variety can dismantle power players.
• Barbora Krejčíková (CZE) – Defending champion battling back from injury; her all-court skills and doubles pedigree make her dangerous if fully fit.
• Petra Kvitová (CZE) – Two-time champion saying farewell to Wimbledon; a sentimental dark horse with a lethal lefty game.

Notable Storylines and Rivalries

• Alcaraz vs. Sinner: Tennis’s hottest young rivalry could culminate in a Centre Court showdown for the title.
• Wide-Open Women’s Field: Seven different champions in seven years—will a favorite finally prevail, or will a new name lift the dish?
• Djokovic’s History Quest: Aiming for an eighth Wimbledon crown and record-breaking 25th Slam overall.
• Farewell Kvitová, Comeback Raducanu: Emotional arcs for a beloved veteran and a young Brit seeking resurgence.
• Home-Nation Hopes: Jack Draper leads Britain’s charge, while Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu look to inspire home crowds.

Stakes at Play: Rankings, Records and Legacy

• World No. 1 Rankings: Sinner leads the ATP points race but must fend off Alcaraz; Sabalenka, Gauff, and Świątek vie for WTA supremacy.
• Grand Slam Milestones: Djokovic targets Slam No. 25; Alcaraz eyes a third straight Wimbledon; Świątek pursues the Career Grand Slam.
• National Firsts: Sinner could become Italy’s first men’s singles champion; Jabeur seeks a historic African-Arab breakthrough.
• Career Defining Runs: Veterans like Kvitová and Murray chase one last magical fortnight; young guns look to cement their legacies.

How to Watch or Stream Wimbledon 2025

• United Kingdom: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Radio 5 Live provide free-to-air coverage and streaming.
• United States: ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and ESPN+ stream and broadcast more than 250 hours of live matches across all courts.
• Canada: TSN and RDS offer live TV and streaming via TSN Direct.
• Australia: Channel Nine and Stan Sport carry comprehensive overnight coverage.
• Worldwide: Local broadcasters or sports networks hold rights; check regional listings. The official Wimbledon site and app provide live radio, scores, and highlights worldwide.

Ticket and Venue Information

• Public Ballot: The primary lottery for advance tickets—applications close months before the event.
• The Queue: A cherished Wimbledon tradition; fans line up each morning (or camp overnight) for limited show-court seats and Grounds Passes.
• Prices: Centre Court tickets range roughly £70–£255; Grounds Passes cost less and provide access to outside courts and Henman Hill.
• Evening Ticket Resale: Late-day entry offers discounted seats with proceeds to charity.
• Venue Tips: Sample strawberries and cream, sip a Pimm’s Cup, and explore 18 competition courts plus the famous grassy hill.

Historical Context and Wimbledon Traditions

• Oldest Grand Slam: First held in 1877, Wimbledon is tennis’s original major and the only one still on grass.
• All-White Dress Code: Competitors must wear almost-entirely white attire; even small colored trims are strictly regulated.
• Royal Patronage: Members of the British Royal Family frequently attend and present trophies.
• Strawberries and Cream: About 1.8 million berries are served each year—an iconic Wimbledon treat.
• The Queue: A uniquely democratic way to access tickets, reflecting Wimbledon’s blend of exclusivity and openness.
• Technology Meets Tradition: Live electronic line calling debuts on all courts in 2025, ending the era of human line judges while preserving Wimbledon’s classic atmosphere.

Centre-Court Epilogue: A Fortnight on Grass

From the hush of Centre Court before match point to the roar of Henman Hill at sunset, Wimbledon 2025 promises a spectacle steeped in history yet alive with fresh intrigue. Whether Novak Djokovic scales rarefied heights, Carlos Alcaraz cements a budding dynasty, or a new star emerges to join the legends’ roll, every rally on SW19’s hallowed turf will reverberate far beyond London. Grass remains tennis’s most demanding surface, revealing champions who can balance power and finesse, athleticism and composure. As the strawberries are harvested and the church bells ring across Wimbledon village, the world will once again turn its eyes to the all-white warriors chasing immortality on the sport’s grandest lawn.

FAQ

When is Wimbledon 2025?

The Championships run from Monday, June 30 to Sunday, July 13, 2025, with the women’s singles final on July 12 and the men’s singles final on July 13.

Who are the defending Wimbledon champions?

Carlos Alcaraz returns as the two-time defending men’s singles champion, while Barbora Krejčíková defends her 2024 women’s singles title.

Which players should I watch at Wimbledon 2025?

Men’s singles favorites include Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic; women’s contenders feature Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, and Elena Rybakina.

How can I watch Wimbledon 2025 live?

In the UK, tune in on BBC TV and iPlayer; in the US, watch on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, or stream via ESPN+. Other regions can view via local sports broadcasters or streaming services.

How do I get Wimbledon tickets?

Apply through the Wimbledon Public Ballot months in advance, or join “The Queue” on the day for limited show-court seats and Grounds Passes—arrive early and be prepared to wait.