Veteran Indian doubles star Rohan Bopanna has tipped defending champion Jannik Sinner and Elena Rybakina as his picks for the men's and women's singles titles at Wimbledon 2026 in London, while also sharing a personal account of what the All England Club has meant to him across his career.

Bopanna's Picks for the Singles Crowns

Speaking to JioStar ahead of the grass-court Grand Slam, Bopanna acknowledged the depth of the field before committing to his selections. 'It's such a tough question; the field is so open. But I have to go with defending champion Jannik Sinner for the men's tournament. Among women, I would pick Elena Rybakina,' he said.

Sinner returns to Wimbledon as the world's top-ranked player, aiming to defend the men's singles title after an early exit at Roland-Garros. The Italian's path has been eased by the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, who will not feature in this year's draw. On the women's side, Bopanna believes Rybakina possesses the qualities to navigate what is expected to be a highly competitive field.

A Childhood Dream, Then a Career Reality

The 46-year-old also reflected on the deep personal significance Wimbledon holds for him, tracing it back to his earliest memories of the sport. 'Wimbledon is a magical dream because I grew up watching only that. Back home, we only used to watch Wimbledon. In fact, television only broadcasts Wimbledon. So, for me to go there and not only be present but also play on those courts was absolutely amazing,' Bopanna said.

He added that competing in the same era as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic made the experience even more remarkable. 'I also played in an era when the three greatest tennis players of our generation, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, were competing. Sharing locker rooms with them and simply being there was better than a dream, actually,' he said.

Key Storylines at Wimbledon 2026

The men's draw carries several compelling subplots. Djokovic arrives seeking a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and an eighth Wimbledon crown. Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, and Britain's Jack Draper are among those expected to challenge. The absences of Alcaraz, Lorenzo Musetti, Holger Rune, and Valentin Vacherot open the draw considerably.

On the women's side, the last six Grand Slams have produced six different champions. Iga Świątek returns aiming to become the first player to defend the Venus Rosewater Dish since Serena Williams a decade ago. Notably, Serena is set to return to the grass-court tournament as a wildcard for the first time in four years and will also pair with sister Venus Williams in the doubles — the same venue where the siblings claimed their third Olympic gold medal at London 2012.

Wimbledon's Enduring Prestige

Bopanna's reflections underline why Wimbledon, the oldest championship in tennis, retains a unique hold on players and fans alike. His doubles career — among the most decorated in Indian tennis — unfolded across the sport's most celebrated era, lending his perspective both authority and nostalgia. As the grass-court season reaches its peak, the 2026 edition promises to be one of the most open in recent memory.