All eyes were supposed to be on the top seed and the defending champion at Wimbledon 2026. But then Serena Williams decided to play again. At 44. Her first sanctioned singles match since 2022. Suddenly, everything else feels like background noise.
Serena at Wimbledon is part Michael Jordan on the Wizards, part Tom Brady unretiring, part Mike Tyson still stepping into the ring. This could be a one-off. Or it could be the start of something else. Biology is undefeated, but so is her will. She might lose to someone half her age, someone thrilled to face a legend. She might also crank 120 mph serves and glide around Centre Court like she never left. Either way, it’s gripping theater. For Week 1, it’s the main character.
But Wimbledon is two weeks long. So here’s who else matters.
Aryna Sabalenka is the clear No. 1, but has only one major in the last six. She’s still searching for her first title on grass. Smart money says she finds it.
Elena Rybakina won Wimbledon in 2022 and has the best serve in the game. She already has a major in 2026. But after a baffling loss in Paris, she dropped two grass tuneups to Katie Boulter and Alexandra Eala. Go figure.
Iga Swiatek is the defending champion, but hasn’t won a title this year. Her aura feels dimmer. Then again, she was in the same spot last year and stormed to the title.
Jessica Pegula keeps sustaining a top ranking while others rise and fall. She beat Sabalenka in Berlin. Maybe this is her major moment.
Mirra Andreeva just won Roland Garros. Now she enters her first major as a champion. Grass should suit her serve and anticipation. The question is how she handles the emotional hangover.
Amanda Anisimova was a Wimbledon finalist last year (let’s not mention the final). She’s proven on grass, but a wrist injury looms.
Coco Gauff is suddenly at No. 7, still trying to get past the fourth round at Wimbledon. Her breakthrough here was seven years ago against Venus Williams. Time flies.
Elina Svitolina is always dangerous at the All England Club. At 31, can she finally reach a major final?
Linda Nosková just won Berlin. Czech women and Wimbledon have been a good combo lately. I’m only half joking when I say she’s your 2026 champion.
Karolina Muchová has style, versatility, and athleticism. She also has injury and closing issues. Still, a fan favorite for a reason.
Belinda Bencic, Marta Kostyuk, Jasmine Paolini, Naomi Osaka, Diana Shnaider, Iva Jovic—each has a story. Some are rising, some are regrouping, some are searching for the magic again.
And then there’s Serena. She starts against Maya Joint. The first round also features Navarro vs. Badosa, Townsend vs. Swiatek, and a potential second-round meeting between Serena and Alexandra Eala.
Upset special: Robin Montgomery over Paolini. Doubles pick: Townsend and Siniaková again.
Semifinals: Pegula d. Sabalenka, Nosková d. Keys. Final: Pegula d. Nosková.
But really, the first week belongs to one name. And we’re all watching.
