Storylines rich as Wimbledon unfolds

LONDON – Jannik Sinner starts his bid for a second successive Wimbledon title on Monday, while Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka also take center stage as the grass-court Grand Slam swings into action.

Twelve months after Sinner and women’s champion Iga Swiatek captivated Wimbledon with their respective triumphs, the All England Club storylines are richer and more varied than ever.

From Serena Williams’ astonishing return after four years in retirement to Djokovic’s relentless pursuit of Grand Slam history, not forgetting Sabalenka’s challenge for her first Wimbledon crown, the stars will be firmly in the spotlight over the next fortnight.

Sinner ended Carlos Alcaraz’s two-year reign as champion with a dynamic display of power hitting in the 2025 final.

That dramatic showdown, coming so soon after their epic French Open final, was expected to set the stage for a sustained period of dominance by the pair at Wimbledon.

But with Alcaraz still sidelined by a wrist injury sustained in Barcelona in April, Sinner is the clear favorite to become the 10th man in the Open era to retain the Wimbledon trophy.

The world number one is bidding for his fifth Grand Slam title and his first since his maiden victory at the All England Club last year.

But the 24-year-old Italian arrives in south-west London with a few concerns to banish.

He hasn’t reached a Grand Slam final this year and crashed out of the French Open in the second round, blowing a two-set lead against Juan Manuel Cerundolo as he wilted in the stifling Paris heat.