Old guard boosts Wimbledon's allure in battle for centre stage

Image source, EPAImage caption, Serena Williams is set to play in her first Grand Slam since 2022 BBC Sport tennis news reporterPublished31 minutes agoThe Williams sisters, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are back at Wimbledon. What year is it again? The mention of those names may make it feel like we're stuck in a timewarp - but, no, it is 2026 and some of the sport's greatest are returning to SW19, in one way or another. American icon Serena Williams, 44, is making a blockbuster singles comeback after four years away from the sport and also resumes her iconic doubles pairing with sister Venus, 46. British legend Murray is back at the scene of his greatest triumphs as part of Jack Draper's coaching team. Djokovic, meanwhile, is only a week younger than 39-year-old Murray yet is still chasing that elusive record 25th Grand Slam title. "It's very special to be here - we have quite a history here. It's nice to be back in 2026," said Venus Williams, who has won five singles and six doubles titles at the All England Club. As one of the highlights of the British sporting summer, Wimbledon never goes under the radar, but the presence of the old guard will help elevate the grass-court Grand Slam in a summer stacked with sporting events. Eyeballs are inevitably trained on the men's football World Cup, particularly with England still in the competition, while the women's T20 cricket World Cup and British Grand Prix are also jostling for the limelight. The appearance of the legends - along with younger superstars like Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, plus high-profile Britons Draper and Emma Raducanu - will ensure Wimbledon will remain at the centre of attention. "We're always unbelievably excited to be part of an exciting summer of sport," Wimbledon tournament director Jamie Baker told BBC World Service. "Every summer there are always other big events on and I think that does add to the buzz around sport in general. We do love being part of that." Williams given favourable Wimbledon start - who else plays who? Published2 days agoSinner seeks to resume dominance after French Open shock Published21 hours agoDoubts over Draper & Raducanu - how will the Brits fare?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Andy Murray has joined Jack Draper's coaching team for the grass-court season As two-time champion Murray well knows, there is nothing like a deep British run to get the All England Club buzzing over the fortnight. But the chances of a home player going far into the second week look slim. Former world number four Draper is the one with the biggest game to make an impact, but has struggled for court time over the past year because of a series of injuries. The 2024 US Open semi-finalist reaching the Eastbourne semi-finals in his comeback tournament was very promising, although the rigours of five-set matches will be a sterner examination of his fitness. Cameron Norrie, who is the only British seed (26th) in the men's draw, has the experience of a deep run having reached the semi-finals in 2022 and quarter-finals last year. British number one Raducanu - seeded 30th - has a game suited to the grass, illustrated by her run to the Queen's final a fortnight ago, but her fitness is in doubt after she cut short her practice session on Saturday because of a shin injury. Overall, it has been a tough draw for the Britons. There are 21 home players across the two singles draws and 18 are playing opponents ranked inside the world's top 55. Raducanu quits practice as Wimbledon fitness fears grow Published19 hours agoCan Sinner and Sabalenka bounce back?In terms of the global stars, men's defending champion Sinner is the favourite for the title - especially given his generational rival Carlos Alcaraz is missing because of a wrist injury. That did not help Sinner at the recent French Open, though, where he lost in the second round because of a combination of sickness and fatigue in the Paris heatwave. The world number one has not played competitively since, but feels physically and mentally prepared as he looks to win a fifth major title. "If you don't play any tournament, you don't have these doubts, you just go and play," said Sinner. "Last year I lost in the second round in Halle. I came here and I played very well. Every year is different. I try to have as much confidence as possible in my shots and in my abilities." Image source, BBC SportDjokovic goes once again for a standalone record 25th major title, having remained tied with Australia's Margaret Court since the 2023 US Open. An early defeat for either Sinner or Djokovic would blow the draw wide open. Sabalenka, the women's world number one, is another big name who is aiming to bounce back after falling short of expectations. The 28-year-old Belarusian missed a golden opportunity to add to her tally of four major titles - and her first not on a hard court - when she capitulated in the Roland Garros quarter-finals from a set and 4-1 up

Old guard boosts Wimbledon's allure in battle for centre stage

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Old guard boosts Wimbledon's allure in battle for centre stage

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