London (AFP) – Iga Swiatek will be hoping to put a stuttering start to her Wimbledon title defence behind her on Thursday, as Alexander Zverev bids to prove his credentials on grass.
Issued on: 02/07/2026 - 14:24
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Reigning champion Swiatek struggled to hold back the tears after battling past Taylor Townsend in the first round on Centre Court after an alarming drop-off in her form during the second set.The Pole, who has been inconsistent since winning her sixth Grand Slam title at the All England Club 12 months ago, did enough to get through but said the enormity of starting her title defence had affected her."I think the whole process of opening the court and playing as a defending champion is for sure really emotional," said Swiatek."Last year probably the most amazing thing in my tennis career happened here. So I felt it also today."Swiatek will have to be sharper than she was against Townsend when she faces former world number one and 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Pliskova.The Czech returned to the court earlier this year having not played since the 2024 US Open due to a foot injury.She has enjoyed some strong results this season, climbing from outside the top 1,000 in the rankings to 73rd.Swiatek has won all their previous meetings, though, including a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing in the Italian Open final five years ago.Last on Centre Court, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, bidding to take the world-number-one ranking from Aryna Sabalenka next week, takes on American Caty McNally.
