Wimbledon’s 2026 edition is in full swing, with the tournament running through July 12 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London. The quarterfinals are underway, featuring defending champion Jannik Sinner and seven-time titlist Novak Djokovic among the contenders still alive in both singles draws.
The 139th edition of Wimbledon is historic in another way: the total prize money reached £64.2 million, a 20% increase from 2025 and the largest year-on-year increase in the tournament’s history. Singles champions earn £3.6 million each, up from £3 million last year.
The Quarterfinal Stage
Eight players remain in both men’s and women’s singles. Sinner, the defending champion, is moving deeper, looking to claim back-to-back titles. Djokovic’s presence in the quarterfinals is itself noteworthy—at his age and with injuries he’s managed over recent years, reaching this stage remains an achievement.
On the women’s side, top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka fell to Naomi Osaka, an upset that sent shockwaves through the draw. Osaka hasn’t won a Grand Slam in years, making a run here at Wimbledon would represent a significant career resurgence.
Video Review Debuts at Wimbledon
For the first time in Wimbledon’s history, matches will have access to video review technology. The decision to introduce video review comes after years of debates about line calls and close calls that have defined and sometimes marred the tournament’s reputation.
Video review will be used for disputed line calls, allowing players to challenge calls they believe are incorrect. The technology won’t speed up the match—if anything, it adds another layer of deliberation—but it promises finality on the closest decisions.
The Road to Sunday
The quarterfinals lead to semifinals, which lead to finals on Sunday, July 12. That’s four days of intense grass-court tennis. Stamina, consistency, and the ability to read grass conditions will separate the champions from the rest.
Wimbledon finals day is July 12. Watch the quarterfinals this week to see who’ll be holding the trophy and pocketing £3.6 million by the weekend.
FYI
Why is grass court tennis so different?
Grass courts are faster than clay or hard courts. The ball skids lower and travels quicker, favoring aggressive players with strong serves and quick reflexes. Rallies are shorter, points are won faster, and errors are punished immediately.
References
WTA Official. (2026). The Championships, Wimbledon 2026 Overview. Retrieved July 2026.
Sky Sports. (2026). Wimbledon 2026: Order of Play and Match Schedule. Published July 2026.
