Andy Murray will play Tomas Machac in the first round of Wimbledon, should the two-time champion be fit enough to take part in what is expected to be his final tournament at SW19. Murray took his place in the singles draw despite admitting he may not be ready to compete after undergoing an operation on his spine, and there may be updates on his condition at the tournament’s media day this afternoon.
Emma Raducanu will play 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round as the former US Open champion returns to SW19 after missing last year due to injury. Katie Boulter, seeded for the first time, opens against Tatjana Maria and could play Harriet Dart in round two. Likewise, British No 1 Jack Draper opens against qualifier Elias Ymer and would face fellow Brit Cameron Norrie in round two if both men win their opening match.
The build-up to Wimbledon continues as women’s No 1 Iga Swiatek and men’s No 1 Jannik Sinner discuss their chances, with Marketa Vondrousova and Carlos Alcaraz the defending champions of the singles titles. Novak Djokovic is seeded second as the 37-year-old attempts to win Wimbledon for a record eighth time following a five-set defeat to Alcaraz in a thrilling men’s final last year.
Follow all the latest build-up to Wimbledon in today’s live blog
A decent draw for the Brits
In what was generally a good draw for the British hopefuls, writes Eleanor Crooks, Dan Evans will take on 24th seed Alejandro Tabilo, in-form Paul Jubb meets Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild, Liam Broady faces Botic Van De Zandschulp, Jan Choinski plays Luciano Darderi and Arthur Fery meets Daniel Altmaier.
Of the home debutants, Charles Broom has a tough opener against three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka while last year’s junior champion Henry Searle plays American Marcos Giron.
In-form Billy Harris faces Spain’s Jaume Munar and Nottingham champion Jacob Fearnley meets Alejandro Moro Canas, with the possibility of a clash against Djokovic in round two.
Jamie Braidwood29 June 2024 11:30
Wimbledon order of play and Monday’s schedule
Raducanu missed last year’s Wimbledon after undergoing surgery on both wrists and an ankle but has showed glimpses of form this grass-court season, including the first top-10 win of her career against Jessica Pegula at Eastbourne.
The former US Open champion has taken a wildcard ahead of her first Wimbledon match in two years and meets Russian 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round. Alexandrova reached the Wimbledon fourth round last year and could be a tough opponent.
Elsewhere, Alcaraz will open play on Centre Court against qualifier Mark Lajal, the World 262. Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to win his first Wimbledon title last year and has since added a third grand slam of his career at the French Open last month.
Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka are among the other stars involved on the first Monday of the tournament, while British wildcard Charles Broom has landed a big-name opponent against three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka.
Here’s Monday’s order of play and schedule ahead of Wimbledon
Jamie Braidwood29 June 2024 11:00
Andy Murray to face Tomas Machac in Wimbledon first round
Andy Murray will play Tomas Machac in the first round of Wimbledon, should the two-time champion be fit enough to take part in what is expected to be his final Championships. Murray took his place in the singles draw despite admitting he may not be ready to compete after undergoing an operation on his spine.
Should Murray decide to play, he will face the 23-year-old Czech Machac for the third time this year. Machac, ranked 38 in the world, won both meetings, including an epic in Miami that was notable for Murray rupturing ankle ligaments late in the third set. Importantly for Murray, his match would be on Tuesday, which could give the 37-year-old an extra day to win his fitness race.
Jamie Braidwood29 June 2024 10:30
Iga Swiatek to face Sofia Kenin in opening round
Iga Swiatek will be in action on Tuesday, with the World No 1 facing Sofia Kenin in one of the picks of the opening round.
Swiatek faced Kenin in the French Open final in 2020, where the Polish player won her first grand slam title. Kenin is a former Australian Open champion, who has fallen down the rankings due to injury.
It’s a difficult draw for Swiatek, who arrives at Wimbledon having won her third French Open in a row but without ever showing the same dominance on grass.
Swiatek could face British player Fran Jones in round two, but things get tougher from there as defending champion Marketa Vondrousova and former winner Elena Rybakina are in her section.
Jamie Braidwood29 June 2024 10:00
Carlos Alcaraz to open play on Centre Court on Monday
Carlos Alcaraz will open play on Centre Court against qualifier Mark Lajal on Monday. The defending champion will be first up, as it tradition, and has landed in the same half of the draw as top seed Jannik Sinner.
Sinner could face former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in round two in what would be a sensational clash for the Italians.
Jamie Braidwood29 June 2024 09:30
Novak Djokovic set for record Wimbledon bid
Novak Djokovic will get his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title underway against Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva.
It’s a favourable draw for Djokovic, who comes into Wimbledon having appeared to have recovered from knee surgery.
When asked about his chances this week, Djokovic said: “I didn’t come here to play a few rounds.
“If I know I can play close to my maximum or at maximum, then I’ll play. If not, then I’ll give somebody else a chance to play.
“I really will only play if I know I am in a state which is good enough to go far in the tournament and fight for the title, so that’s the condition.
“Rehab is going in the right direction every single day, a few per cent better and better. That’s what’s giving me hope and encouragement to keep going.
“I’m taking things gradually. I’m not pushing myself yet 100 per cent but I’m hoping that’s going to come in the next few days.”
Jamie Braidwood29 June 2024 09:00
Emma Raducanu handed tough opening draw ahead of Wimbledon return
Emma Raducanu’s first Wimbledon match for two years will be against Russian 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
The former US Open champion missed last year’s tournament following surgery on both wrists and one ankle but has shown good form in the build-up.
It is quite a tough draw, though, with Alexandrova having reached the fourth round last year.
British number one Katie Boulter, seeded at the All England Club for the first time, opens her campaign against former semi-finalist Tatjana Maria and could play compatriot Harriet Dart in the second round, while fifth seed Jessica Pegula looms in round three.
Dart will play Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan, while Francesca Jones is likely to find world number one Iga Swiatek waiting if she can get past Croatian Petra Martic.
Jamie Braidwood29 June 2024 08:00
Andy Murray given potential Wimbledon boost as draw reveals first-round opponent
Murray, 37, has lost twice to Machac this year, including in a final-set tiebreak at Miami where the former World No 1 suffered an ankle ligament injury that ruled him out for six weeks.
But as Murray landed on the bottom side of the draw, the news that the two-time Wimbledon champion will not play on Tuesday was a bonus to his chances of being fit enough to compete. With defending Carlos Alcaraz taking his place in the top half of the draw and opening play on Centre Court on Monday, the bottom half of the draw will follow on Tuesday.
Murray is prepared to wait until the last moment before making a decision on whether to play in the singles as he recovers from surgery on a spinal cyst, but a Tuesday start in the singles allows Murray more time to assess his condition. He has taken a wildcard alongside brother Jamie Murray for the doubles, which starts later in the first week.
Jamie Braidwood29 June 2024 07:30
Wimbledon 2024 news and latest build-up
Andy Murray will play Tomas Machac in the first round of Wimbledon, should the two-time champion be fit enough to take part in what is expected to be his final tournament at SW19. Murray took his place in the singles draw despite admitting he may not be ready to compete after undergoing an operation on his spine, and will give an update on his condition at the tournament’s media day this afternoon.
Emma Raducanu will play 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round as the former US Open champion returns to SW19 after missing last year due to injury. Katie Boulter, seeded for the first time, opens against Tatjana Maria and could play Harriet Dart in round two. Likewise, British No 1 Jack Draper opens against qualifier Elias Ymer and would face fellow Brit Cameron Norrie in round two if both men win their opening match.
The build-up to Wimbledon continues as women’s No 1 Iga Swiatek and men’s No 1 Jannik Sinner discuss their chances, with Marketa Vondrousova and Carlos Alcaraz the defending champions of the singles titles. Novak Djokovic is seeded second as the 37-year-old attempts to win Wimbledon for a record eighth time following a five-set defeat to Alcaraz in a thrilling men’s final last year.
Follow all the latest build-up to Wimbledon in today’s live blog
Jamie Braidwood29 June 2024 07:00