Wimbledon 2026 began on Monday, June 29, with defending champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek headlining Centre Court, alongside seven-time champion Novak Djokovic. However, day one was overshadowed by a flurry of late withdrawals, most notably British No. 1 Emma Raducanu pulling out just hours before her scheduled match on Court 1 due to a stress fracture.
Emma Raducanu Withdraws on Medical Advice
Raducanu, 23, announced her withdrawal shortly after 10 p.m. on Sunday via a social media statement. She explained that a niggle she had been managing developed into a stress fracture after a final scan, and she was medically advised to stop pushing through. "Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process," she said. The British No. 1's exit leaves Cameron Norrie, the men's 26th seed, as the only seeded UK player in the draw.
18 Players Pull Out on Day One
Raducanu was one of 18 players who withdrew from Wimbledon on day one, a record number for the opening day of the tournament. The withdrawals were attributed to a combination of injuries, illness, and personal reasons. Among the notable absentees were former champion Andy Murray, who had already announced his retirement from singles earlier this year, and rising star Jack Draper, who cited a shoulder injury. The All England Club confirmed that all ticket holders for affected matches would be offered full refunds or exchanges.
Centre Court Schedule Proceeds as Planned
Despite the disruptions, the Centre Court schedule went ahead as planned. Reigning men's champion Jannik Sinner opened proceedings with a straight-sets victory over qualifier Maxime Cressy, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. Women's champion Iga Swiatek followed with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 win against lucky loser Linda Noskova. Novak Djokovic, seeking his eighth Wimbledon title, closed Centre Court with a 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-4 victory over Francisco Cerundolo. Djokovic, 39, said after the match: "It's always special to play on this court. The energy from the crowd is incredible."
Brits in Action on Day One
With Raducanu out, attention turned to the remaining British players. Cameron Norrie, the men's 26th seed, faced a tough test against American Sebastian Korda on Court 2. Norrie won in four sets, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-2. Other Brits on the schedule included Katie Boulter, who defeated qualifier Olivia Gadecki 6-3, 6-4 on Court 12, and Dan Evans, who lost to 15th seed Holger Rune 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 on Court 3. In total, eight British players competed on day one, with five advancing to the second round.
Impact of Withdrawals on Tournament
The high number of withdrawals has raised questions about player fitness and scheduling. Wimbledon organizers defended the tournament's preparation, stating that medical facilities were available to all players. A spokesperson for the All England Club said: "We are committed to player welfare and have seen a number of withdrawals across the Grand Slams this year. We will continue to work with the tours to address this." The withdrawals also affected betting markets, with odds for the men's and women's titles shifting significantly. According to bookmaker Bet365, Sinner's odds shortened to 2/1, while Swiatek remained the clear favorite at 4/5.
Looking Ahead to Day Two
Day two of Wimbledon 2026 will see the remaining first-round matches, including appearances by Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina. The tournament will also pay tribute to the late Roger Federer, who is expected to attend the grounds on Wednesday. Express Sport will continue to provide live updates throughout the 14-day event.
