Wimbledon 2026 moves toward its semifinals on July 9 and 10, with the women’s side playing Thursday and the men’s Friday. Jannik Sinner enters the semifinals as the clear favorite to win the title after two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew with a wrist injury. This is Sinner’s tournament to lose.

The women’s draw features defending champion Iga Swiatek, world number one Aryna Sabalenka, and the return of Serena Williams—one of four former champions in the field. Swiatek leads one quarter. Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina lead the other two. Williams is seeded eighth and still playing at a level that can challenge anyone on a given day.

Men’s Side: Sinner’s Path Forward

Sinner looks invincible in grass conditions. His serve is bigger this year, his net play sharper. He doesn’t play aggressive tennis—he plays patient tennis. He waits for opponents to make mistakes, then punishes them. On grass, where points end quickly and pressure is constant, Sinner’s approach is lethal.

The withdrawal of Alcaraz removes the biggest threat. The Spanish teenager had won the last two titles. Without him, the field opens up. Sinner is younger than Alcaraz and hungrier. A Wimbledon title would cement his place among the top three players in the world.

Women’s Side: Swiatek Defense and Williams Return

Swiatek is playing well but looks beatable this year. She’s won every major she’s entered, which creates enormous pressure. One loss ends the defense. Sabalenka has been waiting for a Wimbledon breakthrough—she’s won the Australian Open twice but never won on grass. A title here would round out her resume.

Williams is the story nobody expected. At 41 years old, most assumed she was finished after her 2022 retirement speech. She returned this year and has surprised everyone by playing competitive tennis. Beating her would feel cheap for her semifinal opponent. Playing her would feel like an honor and a burden.

The Semifinals Schedule

The ladies’ semifinals on July 9 are scheduled for morning and afternoon blocks. The gentlemen’s semifinals on July 10 follow the same pattern. All matches are best-of-three sets for women, best-of-five for men. Finals are July 12.

The semifinals kick off Thursday with Swiatek and Sabalenka fighting for a shot at glory. Sinner awaits Friday, looking to win a first major on grass.