By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, July 1, 2023
Reigning champion Novak Djokovic launches Wimbledon Centre Court play on Monday.
Then comes a women’s wild-card showdown.
More: Wimbledon Preview Podcast
Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams takes on former world No. 3 and 2019 semifinalist Elina Svitolina.
In keeping with tradition, Djokovic opens Centre Court play against 67th-ranked Argentinean Pedro Cachin.
The second-seeded Djokovic is playing for an eighth Wimbledon championship, including a fifth consecutive crown at SW19.
Twenty-three years after winning her maiden Wimbledon, the 43-year Williams returns to Centre Court in what may well be her farewell to The Championships.
World No. 75 Svitolina has won three of four career meetings vs. Williams.
Former world No. 1 Williams will make her 24th career Wimbledon singles appearance. Williams owns a 90-18 career Wimbledon record, raising the Venus Rosewater Dish in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008.
Venus Williams fought off championship points defeating Lindsay Davenport 4-6, 7-6, 9-7, in the 2005 Wimbledon final widely regarded as one of the finest finals in the history of The Championships.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek will start play on No. 1 Court against No. 33 Lin Zhu.
In another highly-anticipated opener, seventh-seeded Coco Gauff faces compatriot and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the third match on No. 1 Court. That showdown follows 2022 finalist Nick Kyrgios vs. David Goffin.
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport
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