Wimbledon Tuesday Preview: Heat Builds as Tennis Titans Hit the Grass
LONDON — Jack Draper returns to Centre Court on Tuesday to headline a packed second day at Wimbledon 2025. The British No. 1 faces Argentina’s Sebastián Báez in what promises to be a high-stakes opener under blistering conditions.
The forecast is once again intense. Monday’s play unfolded in 32.3°C heat the hottest opening day in Wimbledon history. Tuesday is expected to match that mark.
Draper, ranked 28th in the world, enters the tournament as the highest-seeded British player since Andy Murray held the top seed in 2017. He has never advanced past the second round at SW19. His showdown with Báez, known for his clay-court strength, will test Draper’s endurance and composure under pressure.
“I’ve worked hard to prepare for this,” Draper said on Monday. “I’m ready to give it everything in front of the home crowd.”
Nine British players are scheduled to compete on Tuesday, continuing a strong domestic showing. Seven Britons secured victories on opening day the highest single-day win tally for British players in the Open era. Among those advancing were Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, and qualifier Oliver Tarvet.
Also set for a high-profile start is Novak Djokovic. The seven-time Wimbledon champion begins his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title against Frenchman Alexandre Muller. Djokovic has reached at least the quarterfinals in his last 14 appearances at the All England Club.
Across the draw, American sensation Coco Gauff will play Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, following Djokovic’s match. Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, is eyeing her first Wimbledon title.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner kicks off proceedings on Court One, facing Italian compatriot Luca Nardi. Later, two-time champion Petra Kvitová opens her final Wimbledon appearance against American 10th seed Emma Navarro.
Barbora Krejcikova, last year’s women’s singles champion, opens Centre Court at 1:30 p.m. BST. She faces Alexandra Eala of the Philippines after overcoming a minor injury scare at Eastbourne.
British hopefuls Dan Evans and Jay Clarke meet in an all-British clash on Court 12, following Heather Watson’s opener against Denmark’s Clara Tauson. Wildcard Jodie Burrage returns from injury and will play American Caty McNally on Court 18.
Other home players in action include Johannus Monday, who faces 13th seed Tommy Paul, and George Loffhagen, set to challenge Spain’s Pedro Martínez.
On Court 17, Francesca Jones meets Yuliia Starodubtseva of Ukraine, with Jack Pinnington Jones to follow against Argentina’s Tomás Martín Etcheverry.
Jessica Pegula, fresh off her Bad Homburg title, opens her campaign against Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Iga Świątek, the runner-up in Germany, plays Polina Kudermetova. Świątek, a former junior champion at SW19, is seeking her first senior Wimbledon title.
Also in action: 2022 champion Elena Rybakina takes on Elina Avanesyan, while Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva faces Mayar Sherif of Egypt.
In the men’s draw, 2023 semifinalist Lorenzo Musetti plays Nikoloz Basilashvili. American 10th seed Ben Shelton takes on Australian qualifier Alex Bolt.
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