Wimbledon 2021:Date, how to watch, ticket information, draw and schedule in full

Wimbledon is set to return on Monday, having been a major absentee in the sporting calendar last year after it was cancelled for the first time since World War Two due to the coronavirus pandemic.   

Novak Djokovic comes into the tournament in inspired form, having claimed both the Australian and French Open titles this year, as he closes in on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s total of 20 Grand Slam titles. 

The Serbian has 19 Slams to his name, and with Nadal already dropping out of the tournament, while Federer has not won a major since 2018, the men’s defending champion is certainly the favourite to prevail once more.  

Djokovic will be joined by two-time winner Andy Murray, who has been handed a wildcard as he returns to SW19 for the first time since 2017. 

However, women’s defending champion Simona Halep will not have the opportunity to retain her crown, after dropping out moments before the draw due to a calf injury. 

With the tournament quickly approaching, Sportsmail takes you through the essential details.   

Defending champion Novak Djokovic is searching for a record-equaling 20th Grand Slam

Two-time winner Andy Murray makes his return to Wimbledon for the first time since 2017

Two-time winner Andy Murray makes his return to Wimbledon for the first time since 2017

When does Wimbledon start?

After a year out, Wimbledon is finally set to return to our screens on Monday, June 28, and will run through until the men’s final on July 11. 

In keeping with Wimbledon tradition, defending champion Djokovic will open the Centre Court proceedings at 1pm on Monday.   

The players haven’t had an abundance of preparation time, with Wimbledon starting just two weeks after the French Open this year, after the event in Paris was pushed back by a week to allow more fans to attend.  

How to watch Wimbledon 

As usual, it’s the BBC who will broadcast the Wimbledon action, with viewers able to watch on BBC One, BBC Two and the BBC Red Button.

All 18 courts will be available to watch, with viewers able to stream the action via BBC iPlayer and both the BBC Sport website and app.

Additionally, BBC Two will provide daily highlights on their Today at Wimbledon show.   

Highlights will also be available on Eurosport, as will both the men’s and women’s singles finals. 

What about the draw? 

19-year-old Brit Jack Draper will take on defending champion Djokovic in the first round

19-year-old Brit Jack Draper will take on defending champion Djokovic in the first round

The Wimbledon draw has now been made, and Djokovic will start his defence against British teenager Jack Draper. 

Murray will play big-hitting Georgian world No 28 Nikoloz Basilashvili and Federer opens against Adrian Mannarino, while Dan Evans faces Feliciano Lopez, the Spanish veteran and 2019 Queen’s champion. 

Cam Norrie plays Lucas Pouille, while Serena Williams – who could play Coco Gauff in round four – opens up against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.

First up for British No1 Johanna Konta is French Open doubles champion Katerina Siniakova, with a potential match-up against top-seed Ashleigh Barty in the third round.  

Who are the big names missing?

Defending champion Simona Halep withdrew from Wimbledon five minutes before the draw

Defending champion Simona Halep has pulled out of Wimbledon due to a calf injury 

Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal will also both miss Wimbledon after withdrawing recently

Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal will also both miss Wimbledon after withdrawing recently

As stated, neither Rafael Nadal or Simona Halep will be playing at Wimbledon this year, with the former citing the short break after French Open as a primary factor in his decision as he looks to ‘prolong’ his career. 

However, they are not the only high-profile absentees this summer, with Naomi Osaka pulling out after also withdrawing from the French Open. 

US Open champion Dominic Thiem was forced to pull out just four days before the start of the tournament, after sustaining a wrist injury at the ATP event in Majorca earlier this week. 

Meanwhile, Kyle Edmund won’t be competing, alongside Stan Wawrinka, Milos Roinic, David Goffin and Borna Coric.   

Can fans attend Wimbledon this year?   

Yes. Despite the government’s delay of ‘Freedom Day’, there will still be fans in attendance at Wimbledon this year. 

It has been confirmed that 21,000 fans will be welcomed in each day, which is half of Wimbledon’s usual capacity. 

This is because Wimbledon has been picked as a pilot event in the third phase of the Government Events Research Programme, which has also been seen at Euro 2020, for example. 

In a major boost for Wimbledon, the final weekend of the tournament – when the singles and doubles finals take place – will have Centre Court boasting a capacity 15,000 crowd.  

Can fans still get tickets? 

Again, yes. Wimbledon have abandoned their usual ballot system in favour of an online sale this year.

Tickets have been available since June 16, however, and initial sales have now closed. But Wimbledon have stated there will be further opportunities to buy tickets, so you can still try your luck.

To do so, you will have to register for a myWimbledon account. 

Unfortunately, there will not be an in-person queue for tickets this year, which has become somewhat of a tradition, with 500 seats allocated for each of the main courts in previous years.

Wimbledon schedule in full 

Monday 28 June – Men’s and women’s singles first round

Tuesday 29 June – Men’s and women’s singles first round

Wednesday 30 June – Men’s and women’s singles second round

Thursday 1 July – Men’s and women’s singles second round

Friday 2 July – Men’s and women’s singles third round

Saturday 3 July – Men’s and women’s singles third round

Sunday 4 July – No play currently scheduled

Monday 5 July – Men’s and women’s singles fourth round (Manic Monday)

Tuesday 6 July – Women’s singles quarter-finals

Wednesday 7 July – Men’s singles quarter-final

Thursday 8 July – Women’s singles semi-finals, men’s doubles semi-finals

Friday 9 July – Men’s singles semi-finals, women’s doubles semi-finals, mixed doubles semi-finals

Saturday 10 July – Women’s singles final, men’s doubles final, women’s doubles final

Sunday 11 July – Men’s singles final, mixed doubles final