LONDON (AP) – Prepare for the commencement of Wimbledon, the prestigious third Grand Slam tennis tournament of 2025, scheduled to start on Monday. This comprehensive guide provides essential information on how to watch the tournament on TV, betting odds, match schedules, defending champions, and top seeds.
When does Wimbledon start?
Wimbledon begins on Monday at 11 a.m. local time (6 a.m. ET). The opening match on Centre Court features two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz facing Fabio Fognini, set to commence at 1:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. ET). Day 2 will see Barbora Krejcikova, the 2024 women's champion, opening Centre Court against Alexandra Eala.
Where can I watch Wimbledon on TV?
In the United States, Wimbledon will be broadcast live on ESPN and ABC, with match re-airs available on the Tennis Channel. Viewers in other countries can find their respective broadcasting channels here.
Who are the defending champions at Wimbledon?
The defending champions from 2024 are Barbora Krejcikova and Carlos Alcaraz. Krejcikova triumphed over Jasmine Paolini in the final with a scoreline of 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, claiming her second Grand Slam title and first at Wimbledon. Meanwhile, Alcaraz secured his second consecutive Wimbledon title by defeating Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4), marking his fourth overall Grand Slam title, which he has now elevated to five titles at just 22 years of age.
Who are the top seeds at the All England Club?
The top seed for women is Aryna Sabalenka, while Jannik Sinner leads the men's rankings. The tournament seedings align with the WTA and ATP rankings, placing French Open champion Coco Gauff at No. 2 for women, followed by Jessica Pegula at No. 3 and Paolini at No. 4. Among the men, Alcaraz is the second seed, with Alexander Zverev at No. 3 and Jack Draper at No. 4.
Who are the betting favorites at Wimbledon this year?
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, Sabalenka and Alcaraz are the favorites to win their respective singles titles. Sabalenka is listed at +275, followed by 2022 champion Elena Rybakina at +550, and Gauff at +800. For the men's singles, Alcaraz tops the list at +115, with Sinner at +190 and Djokovic at +650.
Who else plays at the All England Club on Monday?
The Day 1 schedule features Sabalenka beginning her match at No. 1 Court against Carson Branstine at 1 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET). Other players to participate include three-time major finalist Alexander Zverev versus Arthur Rinderknech at Centre Court, and 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu facing Mingge Xu in another exciting matchup at No. 1 Court. Daniil Medvedev, 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys, 2024 Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini, and 2024 U.S. Open runner-up Taylor Fritz will all play at No. 2 Court.
Who does Coco Gauff play in her first Wimbledon match and when?
Coco Gauff is set to face Dayana Yastremska, a 2024 Australian Open semifinalist, in the first round on Tuesday, which is designated for the women in the lower half of their bracket.
Other basic facts about the grass-court Grand Slam tournament
Wimbledon is hosted outdoors on grass courts at the All England Club in southwest London, equipped with retractable roofs at both Centre Court and No. 1 Court. Women compete in best-of-three-set matches, with a first-to-10 tiebreaker at 6-all in the third set, while men contest best-of-five-set matches with a tiebreaker at 6-all in the fifth. Notably, Wimbledon does not have night sessions and imposes an 11 p.m. curfew. This tournament remains the last Grand Slam to feature 14 days of competition, while the U.S. Open will expand to a 15-day event in the future.
What is new this year at Wimbledon?
This year marks a significant change as the All England Club implements electronic line-calling during matches, eliminating the need for line judges. This modernizes the tournament to match the Australian Open and U.S. Open standards. Another notable adjustment for 2025 is that the singles finals have been scheduled to start later in the day at 4 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET).
What is the prize money at Wimbledon in 2025?
The total player compensation at this year's Wimbledon amounts to 53.5 million pounds (approximately $72 million), reflecting a 7% increase from the previous year. Each singles champion will receive a prize of 3 million pounds (about $4 million).
For further details and updates on the tournament, fans are encouraged to keep an eye on AP sports coverage and the official Wimbledon site.
