Raducanu, Alcaraz, Boulter and Heat: Wimbledon 2025 Begins

Wimbledon 2025: Day One Preview – Big Names, British Hopes & Soaring Temperatures

Wimbledon 2025 gets underway on Monday with a stacked opening day featuring 23 British players, prime-time debuts, and global stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu, and Aryna Sabalenka.

With 14 home players in action on day one, this marks the largest British singles presence since 1984. Matches begin at 11:00 BST across the All England Club, with Centre Court and Court One showcasing some of the tournament’s biggest early matchups.

Alcaraz Opens Play on Centre Court

As tradition dictates, the defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz begins Centre Court action at 13:30 BST. The second seed will face 38-year-old Italian veteran Fabio Fognini, launching his title defense in what is expected to be a scorching 33°C day.

He is followed by Katie Boulter, who meets Spanish ninth seed Paula Badosa, before Alexander Zverev wraps up Centre Court play against France’s Arthur Rinderknech.

Raducanu vs Xu Highlights All-British Battle

Court One also promises fireworks, with women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka kicking things off against Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine. Branstine arrives with momentum, having defeated Lois Boisson and Bianca Andreescu in qualifying.

British teenager Jacob Fearnley then faces rising Brazilian Joao Fonseca, before a compelling all-British clash between Emma Raducanu and 17-year-old Mimi Xu, one of the UK’s top junior prospects.

Full Slate of British Action Across the Grounds

With the spotlight on Centre and Court One, fans can expect plenty of drama across the outer courts:

• Cameron Norrie, a 2022 semi-finalist, plays second on Court 18 against Roberto Bautista Agut.

• Sonay Kartal faces 20th seed and former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko on Court 3.

• Harriet Dart takes on Hungary’s Dalma Galfi on Court 17, before 16-year-old Mika Stojsavljevic challenges 31st seed Ashlyn Krueger.

• On Court 12, Hannah Klugman, also 16, meets Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 US Open finalist defeated by Raducanu in that year’s final.

Other Notable Matches to Watch

• Daniil Medvedev, Madison Keys, Jasmine Paolini, and Taylor Fritz all feature on Court 2.

• Ons Jabeur opens play on Court 14 against Viktoriya Tomova.

• Naomi Osaka closes the day on Court 18 versus Talia Gibson.

• Defending women’s champion Marketa Vondrousova is last on Court 12, taking on McCartney Kessler.

Weather Alert: Sizzling Conditions Expected

With temperatures expected to reach 33°C, hydration and endurance will be critical factors. Players and spectators alike will be challenged by the heat as much as the tennis.

Wimbledon 2025 is off to a dramatic start with youth, experience, and extreme conditions all in the mix. Whether you’re rooting for home favourites or international stars, the first day promises a compelling taste of what’s to come over the next two weeks.