Tim Wigmore

Sacha Baron Cohen appeared in character as Ali G at the Wimbledon men’s final wearing a parody jacket referencing marijuana, creating discomfort for the All England Club. He recorded a video joking about selling cannabis and mocking tennis. High-profile spectators, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, attended the match. Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev in four sets to retain his title, while the final was disrupted by noisy spectators, leading to at least one removal by officials.

Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara won the Wimbledon men’s doubles title, prompting Patten to criticise the ATP for marginalising doubles and failing to promote it adequately. He called for cultural change, increased visibility, and greater investment to grow the discipline, highlighting strong fan support at Wimbledon as evidence of its value. Patten plans discussions with ATP officials on ways to better support doubles, including pro‑am events and stronger engagement with tournaments. The pair secured their third Grand Slam title together with a straight‑sets win over Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavic.

Arthur Fery’s Wimbledon semi-final against Alexander Zverev was scheduled first on Centre Court, giving him only one rest day and placing the match in peak heat. The decision avoids a clash with the BBC’s primetime broadcast of the Spain–Belgium World Cup quarter-final and may also suit ESPN’s time-zone needs. While past scheduling has often prioritized broadcast audiences, the AELTC stated all players were consulted and content with the arrangement. The match is set for 2.30pm, leaving limited buffer before evening coverage begins.

Marta Kostyuk condemned the International Olympic Committee’s decision to allow Russian athletes to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, calling it unfair amid continued attacks on Ukraine. Speaking after reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals, she described the emotional strain of the war, detailed recent missile strikes near her family’s home in Kyiv and said she may lobby the ITF and Ukrainian government to push for the ruling to be reversed. Alongside her criticism, Kostyuk delivered a dominant quarter-final win over Jasmine Paolini and expressed hope that success at Wimbledon would lift spirits in Ukraine and honor her family’s support.

Arthur Fery’s unexpected rise to the Wimbledon quarter‑finals marks a milestone in his career, as the wildcard entry overcame higher‑ranked opponents through resilience, agility, and consistent success in tie‑breaks. His win over Grigor Dimitrov on Centre Court captivated the crowd, drawing praise from figures including Roger Federer and securing his position as Britain’s leading performer in the tournament. Despite earlier injuries and modest height for the men’s tour, his determination and varied playing style propelled him into the world’s top 100 and earned significant prize money. His run continues with a rematch against Flavio Cobolli as he approaches his 24th birthday.

Novak Djokovic defeated Arthur Rinderknech in four sets to advance at Wimbledon, keeping alive his pursuit of a record eighth title and 25th Grand Slam. Despite physical strain and a brief third-set drop, Djokovic’s precision serving, variety and resilience carried him through a demanding match. Rinderknech impressed with powerful serving and aggressive net play but could not match Djokovic’s consistency in long rallies. Djokovic will face Roman Safiullin next as he continues his attempt to reach the quarter-finals.

Wimbledon barred Matteo Berrettini from wearing a beige Hugo Boss outfit for failing to meet its strict all‑white dress code. Berrettini, who posted promotional images of the outfit on Instagram, said officials deemed it too off‑white. Taylor Fritz and Naomi Osaka have made notable court entrances in designer attire that complies with the rules. Berrettini advanced to the third round after defeating Arthur Fils and will next face Grigor Dimitrov.

Jannik Sinner advanced to the Wimbledon third round with a straight‑sets win over Nuno Borges despite an inconsistent performance marked by unforced errors and service lapses. Borges pushed the world No 1 hard, holding strong through two tight sets and twice securing early breaks, but failed to convert key chances, including a set‑point opportunity in the second set. Sinner’s superior shot‑making in both tie‑breaks and improved aggression at the net secured the victory. Though not yet at his dominant best and already having spent more time on court than in last year’s early rounds, Sinner expressed confidence in his ability to raise his level ahead of his upcoming match against Jenson Brooksby.

Experts overwhelmingly back Jannik Sinner to defend his Wimbledon men’s title, citing his dominant form and the absence of injured Carlos Alcaraz. Predictions for the women’s draw vary widely, with Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka, Naomi Osaka and Linda Noskova all proposed as potential champions. British prospects are viewed bleakly, with injuries, difficult draws and the likelihood of early exits diminishing hopes for deep runs. Alexandra Eala is highlighted as a potential breakout performer, while additional wishes include strong showings from Serena Williams, Stan Wawrinka and surprising qualifiers, along with calls for greater player engagement with the tournament’s media obligations.