Welcome to the Second Week
The Championships, Wimbledon 2026 began on 29 June. The second week starts 7 July and runs through the Gentlemen’s Singles Final on 12 July.
Total prize money is £64.2 million, a 20% increase from last year. For the first time in the tournament’s history, video review technology is in use throughout the draw. [Source: Wimbledon official, atptour.com]
The second week schedule:
- Day 9, 7 July: Women’s Singles Quarter-finals
- Day 10, 8 July: Men’s Singles Quarter-finals
- Day 11, 9 July: Fourth-round matches for remaining draws (doubles etc.)
- Day 12, 10 July: Singles Semi-finals
- Day 13, 11 July: Ladies’ Singles Final + Doubles Finals
- Day 14, 12 July: Gentlemen’s Singles Final (not before 4:00pm)
Women’s Draw: The Unprecedented Situation
Three of the most heavily backed players before the tournament began did not reach the quarter-finals.
Iga Swiatek — the defending champion — was beaten in the third round by Alex Eala (29th seed), 7-6(11-9), 6-2. [Source: WTA Official]
Elena Rybakina — the 2022 Wimbledon champion, second seed — was beaten in the third round by Elise Mertens (25th seed), 7-6(7-4), 6-1. [Source: confirmed from research]
Aryna Sabalenka — the top seed entering the tournament — was beaten in the fourth round by Naomi Osaka (14th seed), 6-2, 7-6. [Source: confirmed from research]
The Women’s QF on 7 July features: Alex Eala vs Jasmine Paolini. Naomi Osaka is in the draw. Coco Gauff (8th seed) is in the draw.
Alex Eala: Became the first player from the Philippines to reach the R4 of a Grand Slam in the Open Era by beating Swiatek. She is now two wins from a final. [Source: WTA Official]
Naomi Osaka: A four-time Grand Slam champion returning to the highest level, she beat the tournament top seed in the fourth round.
Coco Gauff: The 8th seed came through a tough fourth-round win over Bencic, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The women’s final is on Ladies’ Day, 11 July.
Men’s Draw: Sinner, Djokovic, and the Marquee QF
The men’s quarter-finals on 8 July include the most compelling individual tie of the tournament.
QF 1: Felix Auger-Aliassime (3rd seed) vs Novak Djokovic (7th seed)
Auger-Aliassime is the third seed and one of the best grass court players currently on the ATP Tour. Djokovic, seeded seventh, brings his extraordinary Wimbledon record to this match. His rivalry with younger-generation players — FAA among them — has defined the past two seasons on tour. [Source: Wimbledon 2026 draw, atptour.com]
QF 2: Jannik Sinner (1st seed) vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Sinner carries the top seeding and the form that comes with it into his quarter-final. Struff is the kind of opponent who can cause problems on grass: big serve, flat groundstrokes, not a player who surrenders easily in conditions that suit his game. [Source: Wimbledon 2026 draw]
The Gentlemen’s Singles Final is on 12 July, not before 4:00pm.
What to watch for
Eala’s run: She has already beaten the defending champion. If she wins the quarter-final, she faces a semi-final and a potential final, both on Centre Court. The story is one of the great narratives of the 2026 tennis season.
Djokovic’s record: Wimbledon is the surface where Djokovic has historically performed at his most consistent. A 7th seeding in this draw does not reflect his ability to advance. His QF against FAA will be one of the most watched matches of the week.
Sinner’s consistency: The top seed has the deepest resume in the men’s draw. His match against Struff is the kind of quarter-final where the favourite is expected to progress, but Wimbledon has already shown this week that seedings do not guarantee outcomes.
Prize money context: Total prize money is £64.2 million. The singles winners each receive their share of a pool that increased 20% year on year.
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