Wimbledon 2023: Day 1 Order of Play and schedule – when are Novak Djokovic, Venus Williams and Iga Swiatek playing?

Wimbledon is back. The grass courts are pristine, Centre Court is prepped and the world’s top tennis players are ready to battle for one of the sport’s most prestigious prizes.

The third Grand Slam of the year has lined up some of its biggest stars for the opening day of action, including defending champion Novak Djokovic, who is bidding for an eighth title at the All England Club.

Iga Swiatek has dominated the women’s game in recent times but is yet to enjoy major success on grass – could the likes of reigning champion Elena Rybakina or second seed Aryna Sabalenka challenge her?

Djokovic and Swiatek are both in action on Day 1, while there are other hugely intriguing matches as five-time winner Venus Williams returns aged 43 to face Elina Svitolina and last year’s runner-up Nick Kyrgios takes on David Goffin.

Top-10 seeds like Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Caroline Garcia, Jannik Sinner, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev and Taylor Fritz are also in action, as well as Brits like Dan Evans, Katie Swan and Jodie Burrage.

Top men’s match – David Goffin v Nick Kyrgios

A year on from his stunning run to the Wimbledon final, a lot has changed for Kyrgios. The Australian always draws a crowd, but this year his level remains something of a mystery after a lengthy injury absence.

Kyrgios is the No. 30 seed but has played in just one ATP event all season, losing to Wu Yibing in the first round in Stuttgart in June.

In wild card Goffin, he faces a nightmare first-round draw – the Belgian is a former world No. 7 and has reached the quarter-finals in each of his last two appearances at Wimbledon in 2019 and 2022. It is a tough one to call.

Top women’s match – Venus Williams v Elina Svitolina

Venus is back. Aged 43, the five-time champion will take to the courts of the All England Club for the second time in the last four years and an incredible 26 years after making her tournament debut in 1997.

She has warmed up with appearances in S’Hertogenbosch and Birmingham, beating Camila Giorgi in a three-set epic at the latter event, but faces a daunting task against Svitolina.

The Ukrainian returned from maternity leave in April to reach the French Open quarter-finals, and reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2019.

Brit watch

There are six Brits to support on the opening day, with two lining up on the No. 2 court.

Those are 27th seed Dan Evan, who faces Quentin Halys, and Katie Swan, who is up against 14th seed Belinda Bencic.

On Court No. 3, Nottingham runner-up Jodie Burrage is up against world No. 26 Caty McNally.

And in the men’s draw, Liam Broady faces Constant Lestienne and Jan Choinski takes on Dusan Lajovic.

Show courts order of play, singles – Monday, July 3 (All UK times)

Centre Court – from 13.30

• Pedro Cachin v Novak Djokovic (2)
• Venus Williams v Elina Svitolina
• Jannik Sinner (8) v Juan Manuel Cerundolo

No. 1 Court – from 13:00

• Iga Swiatek (1) v Zhu Lin
• David Goffin v Nick Kyrgios (30)
• Sofia Kenin v Coco Gauff (7)

No. 2 Court – from 11:00

• Jessica Pegula (4) v Lauren Davis
• Laurent Lokoli v Casper Ruud (4)
• Katie Swan v Belinda Bencic (14)
• Quentin Halys v Dan Evans (27)

No. 3 Court – from 11:00

• Andrey Rublev (7) v Max Purcell
• Katie Volynets v Caroline Garcia (5)
• Jodie Burrage v Caty McNally
• Yannick Hanfmann v Taylor Fritz (9)

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