Jannik Sinner will kick-start his Wimbledon title defence on Monday, one year after capturing a maiden crown in SW19.
The Italian hoisted the famous trophy for the first time last season following his four-set victory over Spanish rival Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner enters Wimbledon as the first seed and heavy favourite this time around after Alcaraz withdrew from the event due to a wrist injury he picked up during the clay swing.
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But the world number one’s preparations for the Championships have been different in 2026, having not played any grass-court tune-up events heading into the event.
Despite no tour-level matchplay on the surface, Sinner remains confident about his chances of going back-to-back.
Jannik Sinner speaks ahead of his Wimbledon title defence
With the exception of 2020, when Wimbledon was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sinner has featured at a grass-court event prior to his campaign at the major each year he has been on the tour.
Asked in his pre-tournament press conference why that streak has ended this year, Sinner replied: “I think grass is a very different surface, obviously.
“You come here trying to do your best. In the same time if you play a tournament before here, maybe it’s not going the way you would like to, you come here with some doubts. If you don’t play any tournament, you don’t have these doubts, you just go and play.
How concerned are you about Jannik Sinner’s physical issues going forward in his career?
“Look, last year I lost second round in Halle. I came here, and I played very well. Every year is different.
“I try to have as much confidence as possible in my shots and in my abilities. First rounds, they’re always going to be very tough. I know that mentally. We are preparing ourselves in the best possible way.”
Jannik Sinner’s first-round opponent at Wimbledon
Sinner will be first on Centre Court on Monday, where he will be faced with Serbian star Miomir Kecmanovic.
The two have clashed four times before on the ATP Tour, with Sinner having never lost to Kecmanovic.
Just one of their meetings was played on grass, and it ultimately went the way of Sinner convincingly.
Sinner beat Kecmanovic in straight sets in the third round of the 2024 Championships, winning 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.
In six attempts, Kecmanovic has never made it past the third round of Wimbledon.
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