Wimbledon 2025: 5 Must-Watch First-Round Matches You Won’t Want to Miss!

Imagine the biggest tennis tournament in the world just announced who plays whom — like drawing names from a hat at a birthday party, but way more dramatic. That’s basically what happened at Wimbledon this year! There’s a wide-open title race, a legendary player making a comeback, and dozens of exciting matchups from the very first round.

Here are the five first-round matches everyone is talking about.

1. Serana Williams Makes Her Grand Slam Return

Serena Williams [WC] vs. Maya Joint

Let’s start with the most exciting story of all: Serena Williams is back! The seven-time Wimbledon champion will play her first singles match at a Grand Slam in almost four years against 20-year-old Australian player Maya Joint.

Here’s what we know:

• Serena recently played two doubles matches and showed some really promising signs
• She still has her famous powerful game and a killer serve
• You could tell she was a little "rusty" (like when you haven’t ridden a bike in a while), but flashes of greatness were there

The big questions:

• How will she move during a full singles match?
• Will her body hold up if the match goes to three sets?

As for Maya Joint, the numbers don’t look great in her favor:

• She’s lost 15 of her 18 matches this season
• She’s only won one match since January
• She’s only played Wimbledon’s main draw once before — and lost

Important Point: No matter what happens, this will be one of the most-watched matches of the entire opening week!

2. The Champion Defends Her Title

Iga Swiatek [3] vs. Taylor Townsend

Iga Swiatek won Wimbledon last year, but defending a championship is never easy — especially when you don’t have much practice on grass.

Here’s the situation:

• Swiatek’s only grass-court match this season ended in a loss to Emma Navarro
• She didn’t get much time to warm up on the surface

Her opponent, Taylor Townsend, is no pushover:

• She’s an experienced and crafty player
• She’s known for pulling off surprising upsets at big tournaments
• However, Wimbledon hasn’t been her best tournament — she’s never made it past the second round

Swiatek is still the clear favorite and one of the top contenders to win the whole thing. But Townsend won’t be scared, and this will be the first time these two ever play each other. Could Townsend pull off another surprise? We’ll have to watch and see!

3. A Teen’s Dream Draw

Aryna Sabalenka [1] vs. Teodora Kostovic [Q]

When 18-year-old Teodora Kostovic qualified for her very first Grand Slam, reporters asked her who she wanted to play first. Her answer?

"I want to face Sabalenka!"

And she actually got her wish! The young Serbian will play World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. And she’s not backing down.

"Let’s see if she can deal with MY power. Of course I can beat her. I can beat anybody when I’m in the zone."
— Teodora Kostovic, with a confident eyebrow raise

Kostovic is ranked No. 184 in the world and was once ranked No. 4 among junior players. She won three tough qualifying matches just to get here.

On the other side:

• Sabalenka is a four-time Grand Slam champion
• She’s a three-time semifinalist at Wimbledon
• She almost never loses in the first round of tournaments

It’s a huge test for a teenager, but she’s walking in with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

4. Former Top Stars Collide

Emma Navarro [23] vs. Paula Badosa

It’s actually pretty rare for two players who were once ranked in the world’s Top 10 to face each other in the first round of a Grand Slam. That’s why this match is so special!

Both players have had a rough time recently, but they’re showing signs of bouncing back:

Fun facts to know:

• Badosa has reached Wimbledon’s fourth round three times
• Navarro made the quarterfinals once before
• Badosa has won 2 out of 3 matches they’ve played — and their only grass-court match

This one could easily be the best match of the entire first round!

5. Grass-Court Veterans Go to War

Tatjana Maria vs. Yulia Putintseva

Sometimes experience matters more than anything — and these two players are proof that veterans can still shine.

Tatjana Maria (age 38):

• Her game was practically made for grass — amazing net play and a tricky slice (a ball that skids low and is tough to return)
• She’s a former Wimbledon semifinalist
• She won the biggest title of her career last year on grass at Queen’s Club
• She’s playing her best tennis right now, with a 10-4 record and a finals run in Eastbourne

Yulia Putintseva:

• Also a veteran and one of the most entertaining players to watch
• Won a grass-court title in Birmingham in 2024
• Reached the fourth round at Wimbledon before

Their head-to-head history:

• They’ve played each other six times — first meeting way back in 2012
• Putintseva leads 4-2
• Four of their six matches went to three sets (meaning they were very close!)
• This will be their first-ever match on grass

Expect this one to be a marathon — it might go the distance!

Summary

Wimbledon’s 2025 first round is packed with excitement. Whether it’s Serena Williams’ emotional return, a fearless teenager facing the world’s best, or veteran stars reminding everyone they’ve still got it, there’s something for every tennis fan to enjoy. Here’s a quick recap:

• Serena Williams returns to Grand Slam singles after nearly four years
• Iga Swiatek defends her title against dangerous Taylor Townsend
• Teodora Kostovic, a confident teen, faces World No. 1 Sabalenka
• Former Top 10 stars Navarro and Badosa collide in a rare first-round matchup
• Veterans Maria and Putintseva bring their experience and grass-court magic

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When does Wimbledon 2025 start?
A: The first round matches typically begin on the Monday of the tournament week. Check the official Wimbledon schedule for exact dates and times.

Q: Why is Serena Wilson’s return such a big deal?
A: Serena Williams is a seven-time Wimbledon champion — one of the greatest players ever. She hasn’t played a Grand Slam singles match in nearly four years, so her comeback is one of the biggest stories in tennis.

Q: What does "[WC]" next to Serena’s name mean?
A: It stands for "Wild Card" — a special entry given to a player even if their ranking isn’t high enough. Tournament organizers gave one to Serena because of her legendary status.

Q: Who is the favorite to win the entire tournament?
A: Aryna Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka are among the top favorites, but with such a wide-open field, many players have a real chance.

Q: What does "[Q]" next to Kostovic’s name mean?
A: It means she’s a "Qualifier" — she had to win three extra matches just to earn a spot in the main tournament. It’s a big achievement for an 18-year-old!