Day one of Wimbledon: Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz take the lead

As Wimbledon gets underway, Carlos Alcaraz will have a target on his back, while Emma Raducanu will lead British hopes on the opening Monday.

Play begins on Center Court as reigning men’s champion Alcaraz attempts to hold onto his championship in what has been dubbed the most open event in 20 years.

With players like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka competing on day one and hoping to make it eight different victors in as many Championships, the women’s singles will be as competitive as ever.

Here, the PA news agency examines the first day of competition.

For the first time since 2003, a men’s champion who isn’t Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, or Novak Djokovic will open on Center Court.

Alcaraz, who shocked Djokovic in the previous year’s final, is now aiming to follow in the footsteps of Federer and the Serbian by winning the championship again, but he will have his work cut out for him and may have to contend with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals.

Not just Djokovic has been plagued by a “will they, won’t they” mentality going into the next two weeks.

While fellow Brits Dan Evans and Liam Broady have struggled with injuries this year, it is unclear whether two-time winner Andy Murray will be well enough to play singles on Tuesday. Murray is anticipated to make a decision on Monday night.

Moreover, Sabalenka, the third-seeded woman, acknowledged that a shoulder issue that is interfering with her serve has left her less than 100% fit.

This summer will be “the most open Wimbledon championship that we maybe had in 20 years,” according to fourth seed Alexander Zverev.

However, Djokovic is once again one of the favorites, having made a stunning comeback from a knee injury. He is just one championship away from tying Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon grass court titles.

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