The grass is freshly cut, the strawberries and cream are ready, and Centre Court is calling.
Wimbledon 2025 kicks off this Monday, and as excitement builds, all eyes turn to the British players hoping to make their mark this year.
British tennis star Dan Evans shared his take on the matchups, the rising stars, and the homegrown players to watch—including himself.
Here’s the lowdown on who’s facing who, and what to expect as the tournament gets underway.
Jack Draper Opens with Baez — But the Road Gets Tough Fast
World No. 4 Jack Draper begins his Wimbledon journey against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez.
It’s a solid opening match for Jack, but looking ahead, things get much tougher.
If all goes to plan, he could meet Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals—a clash that could be one of the highlights of the tournament.
“If Jack gets that far, he’ll really have earned it,” Evans said.
“It’s about as tough as a draw can get.”
Jacob Fearnley Faces a Test in Fonseca
Jacob Fearnley, one of Britain’s newer pros fresh from college, will take on Brazil’s Joao Fonseca.
After a rough outing in Eastbourne last week, Fearnley will want to bounce back strong.
Despite the setback, Evans praised his adaptability and maturity on different surfaces, saying Jacob is “a very impressive guy” for how quickly he’s risen.
Reliable Cam Norrie Looks Steady as Always
Cam Norrie goes up against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, and Dan isn’t worried one bit.
Even when Cam was struggling last year, he kept working hard and eventually made it to the French Open fourth round.
“Cam always does the right things, on and off the court,” Evans said. “He’ll be ready.”
Henry Searle Could Shine on Home Turf
Young gun Henry Searle faces American Ethan Quinn.
While Quinn is a strong opponent, he’s not experienced on grass—something Henry could take advantage of. Dan predicts a tight four or five-set win.
“He’s got things to work on, but he’s only 19 and already a junior champ here,” Evans said.
Emma Raducanu vs. Mimi Xu — A British Showdown
Emma Raducanu will face fellow Brit Mimi Xu in a much-anticipated first-round clash.
With so much attention always on Emma, Dan says the focus should be on her happiness, not pressure.
“It might be a year too early for a deep run,” he noted.
“But I really hope she enjoys it and puts in a strong performance.”
Sonay Kartal Quietly Climbing the Ranks
Sonay Kartal faces 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko—and while she might not make headlines, her consistency is earning respect.
She’s made the third round of Slams before and works hard behind the scenes with a coach who’s been with her since day one.
“She goes under the radar, but she’s doing really well,” Evans said.
Katie Boulter Gets Tough Draw, But Grass Gives Her Edge
Unseeded this year, Katie Boulter will meet Spain’s 9th seed Paula Badosa.
But being unseeded might actually give Katie the freedom to swing big on her best surface.
“She’s a top player on grass,” said Evans. “I think she’ll win.”
Spotlight on Wildcards: Hannah, Mika and Mimi
This year, the wildcard buzz isn’t just about the men.
Dan says 2025 is all about the three young British women—Hannah Klugman, Mika Stojsavljevic, and Mimi Xu.
Hannah reached the French Open junior final, Mika has a US Open title, and Mimi has chalked up two top-100 wins on grass recently.
“They’re all serious talents,” said Dan.
“You don’t just get given a wildcard—you have to earn it.”
He’s got personal ties too—he golfs with Hannah’s coach, and knows Mika through mutual coaching friends.
Dan Evans Takes on Jay Clarke in All-British Opener
Evans himself will be taking on fellow Brit Jay Clarke in the opening round.
While he didn’t dwell too much on his own matchup, you can bet he’ll be eager to start strong in front of the home crowd.
Other Brits in Action
Here are the other home hopefuls stepping onto the grass:
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Billy Harris vs. Hubert Hurkacz (Poland)
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Jack Pinnington Jones vs. Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Argentina)
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Johannus Monday vs. Tommy Paul (USA, 13th seed)
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George Loffhagen vs. Pedro Martinez (Spain)
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Oliver Crawford vs. Mattia Bellucci (Italy)
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Arthur Fery vs. Alexei Popyrin (Australia)
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Oliver Tarvet vs. Leandro Riedi (Switzerland)
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Francesca Jones vs. Yuliia Starodubtseva (Ukraine)
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Harriet Dart vs. Dalma Galfi (Hungary)
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Heather Watson vs. Clara Tauson (Denmark, 23rd seed)
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Jodie Burrage vs. Caty McNally (USA)
Let the Championships Begin
From seasoned pros like Draper and Norrie to rising stars like Searle, Xu, and Klugman, British tennis fans have plenty to cheer for this year.
And with Dan Evans himself in the mix, there’s no shortage of drama, grit, and homegrown heart to watch unfold on the iconic grass of SW19.
Let the games begin.