The opponents no favorite wants in the early rounds of Wimbledon 2026

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 23 Jun 2026 | 07.38

Matteo Berrettini, opponents to avoid for favorites at Wimbledon 2026. Photo: gettyimages

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Wimbledon 2026 is about to hold its draw, and the top contenders already know an inevitable reality: before considering Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, or Aryna Sabalenka, it is advisable to closely look at the names that may appear in the first and second rounds. As it happens every year on grass, several extremely dangerous players will arrive in London without the protection of a seed, turning into potential traps for any title contender.

The history of Wimbledon is full of early surprises. The surface favors narrowing the gaps, enhancing specific skills, and rewarding those who feel comfortable playing with few exchanges and high risk. A bad matchup can turn the start of the tournament into a nightmare for any favorite. Among veterans who remain dangerous, former finalists, grass specialists, and young talents, here are some of the names no one would want to encounter in the early competition days.

Matteo Berrettini and Marin Cilic: two Wimbledon finalists outside the seeds

Few situations would be more uncomfortable for a favorite than facing Matteo Berrettini in the first round. The Italian remains one of the most dangerous players on the circuit on grass when healthy. A finalist at Wimbledon in 2021, owning one of the best serves on the circuit and a devastating forehand, he has the perfect profile to punish anyone from day one and will arrive with confidence after his good performance at Roland Garros.

A similar threat is posed by Marin Cilic. The Croatian knows what it means to compete in a final at the All England Club and retains many of the tools that allowed him to compete at the highest level for years. His experience, ability to accelerate the ball, and knowledge of the surface make him an uncomfortable opponent even for the main title candidates. He may not be in his best form, but his level on grass improves significantly.

Mannarino, Hurkacz, and Shapovalov: specialists capable of disrupting any draw

Adrian Mannarino has been demonstrating for over a decade that grass is one of the surfaces where he expresses his tennis best. His ability to play flat, absorb pace, and produce uncomfortable trajectories make him one of those players no one wants to face when still finding their rhythm in the tournament. Despite the passing years, he remains a dangerous player on this surface due to his skill in playing low and with flat shots. He defeated Mensik at Queen´s and although somewhat inconsistent, he is a formidable player.

Denis Shapovalov represents a different threat. His inconsistency has led him to disappear from the main discussions at times, but the Canadian still possesses an exceptionally high competitive ceiling. When he finds confidence, his combination of aggressiveness, talent, and ability to produce winners becomes particularly dangerous on grass. No one expects much from him, which can work to his advantage.

A separate mention goes to Hubert Hurkacz. Despite the surprise of seeing him outside the seeds, the Pole remains one of the best players in the world on this surface. A Wimbledon semifinalist and owner of one of the most effective serves on the circuit, he could become a major headache for the draw.

Mpetshi Perricard, Diallo, and Landaluce: the threat of the new generation

Each edition of Wimbledon tends to bring some unexpected breakthroughs. This time, several young players appear with sufficient arguments to cause more than one upset.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is probably one of the most respected names. His serve seems tailored for grass and can turn any match into a series of unbreakable games. Facing a server of such caliber in a best-of-five format is never pleasant from the first round.

Gabriel Diallo arrives after steady progress over the last few months. His power, aggressiveness, and ability to play aggressively fit perfectly with the surface requirements. While he lacks the experience of other names on the list, he has the potential to become one of the tournament's surprises.

Among the young Spaniards, Martín Landaluce raises special curiosity. Although still developing, his talent is undeniable, and the grass's speed may enhance some of the offensive qualities that have accompanied his development from lower categories.

Dimitrov, Wawrinka, Tsitsipas, and Struff: too much quality for an early round

Grigor Dimitrov always deserves special mention when the grass court swing arrives. His fluid tennis, ability to vary heights and effects, and capacity to adapt to any competitive context continue to make him a formidable opponent. Even when recent results are lacking, few players have as much experience on grass.

Stan Wawrinka probably faces one of his last Wimbledons, adding an emotionally challenging component to his performance. The Swiss no longer has the consistency of the past, but he can still produce bursts of extraordinary tennis and possesses unparalleled competitive experience.

Stefanos Tsitsipas also appears on this list despite his historical difficulties on the surface. The Greek is going through a delicate moment, but precisely for that reason, he can become a particularly dangerous opponent. Freed from expectations and with very little to lose, he retains enough resources to complicate matters for anyone.

Jan-Lennard Struff completes the group of uncomfortable veterans. His aggressive tennis, ability to shorten points, and experience on grass explain why so many players prefer to avoid him in the early stages of the tournament.

Serena Williams leads a list of unexpected threats in the women's draw

While there is no standout name in terms of media impact in the men's draw, Serena Williams clearly occupies that position in the women's draw. Beyond uncertainties about her physical condition and current competitive level, the American represents an immeasurable threat impossible to gauge conventionally.

No favorite would want to face a legend of such magnitude in the early rounds, especially on a surface where she built a significant part of her legacy. Serena's mere presence disrupts the draw's balance and adds a factor of uncertainty unmatched by any other player.

Krejcikova, Ostapenko, and Bouzas: diverse profiles, same danger

Barbora Krejcikova is one of those cases that demonstrate how misleading rankings can be. The Czech has the resources to compete on any surface and tactical intelligence that always finds ways to discomfort her opponents. Her versatility makes her one of the most dangerous rivals outside the top positions.

Jelena Ostapenko represents the opposite extreme. When inspired, she can overwhelm any player on the circuit. Her extreme aggressiveness leads to errors but also produces performances capable of defeating the most solid favorites in the tournament.

Among the Spaniards, Jessica Bouzas deserves special attention. Her growth over the last few months has been steady, and she has already shown she can compete head-to-head with far more renowned opponents. It wouldn't be surprising to see her seize an opportunity if the draw opens a door for her.

Cocciaretto, Lys, and Sierra: names that could surprise in London

Elisabetta Cocciaretto has been demonstrating for some time that she possesses a much more dangerous tennis game than her ranking reflects. Her competitive intensity and ability to adapt to different contexts make her an uncomfortable opponent for anyone.

Eva Lys emerges as another player capable of causing problems from day one. The German is evolving within the circuit and showing more skills to compete on major stages.

Lastly, Solana Sierra represents one of the most intriguing uncertainties. The Argentine continues to accumulate experience and talent in equal measure, and Wimbledon could offer her a magnificent opportunity to make her mark on a global audience.

As it happens every year, the tournament doesn't truly begin when the big favorites appear in the second week. It starts much earlier, as the draw begins to distribute these names throughout the bracket. Because on grass, more than on any other surface, a tough first round can become the first major obstacle on the road to the title.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los rivales que ningún favorito quiere en las primeras rondas de Wimbledon 2026

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