Legendary seven-time singles Grand Slam winner John McEnroe has revealed his clear frontrunner to win Wimbledon this year, with his pick unlikely to leave fans surprised.

This year’s edition of the prestigious tournament got underway on Monday with plenty of stars of the sport in action in round one as they look to walk away with the £3,600,000 prize money and etch their name in history.

McEnroe, a three-time winner at the tournament in the 1980s, knows just what it takes to be victorious on Centre Court and earmarked none other than the current world No.1 Jannik Sinner as the out-and-out favourite to repeat his Wimbledon win of 2025.

The odds are increasingly in the Italian’s favour to do just that, with his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz, who he defeated in the final to secure his first win at SW19 in a four-set thriller, forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an ongoing wrist injury he picked up back in April.

Alcaraz was one of many big names that announced they would not take part at Wimbledon this year in the men’s section, with Lorenzo Musetti, Valentin Vacherot, and home favourite Jack Draper also confirming their absences in the lead-up to one of the biggest events in tennis.

That is not to say Sinner won’t find worthwhile adversaries as he looks to win back-to-back Wimbledon titles. He has already had his hands full in the first round, where he dropped two sets to Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic before eventually seeing off his opponent to progress.

The Italian found his stride in the next round, with a more recognisable performance to dispatch Nuno Borges 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 to set up a third-round tie with American Jenson Brooksby, who has reached as high as world number 33.

After he defeated Borges in straight sets, McEnroe pointed to that clinical display as proof that the 24-year-old is returning to his best.

What John McEnroe Has Said About Wimbledon 2026

Toby Melville via Reuters

“It was a great test for him,” stated McEnroe.

“He played a guy playing as good as he could play, throwing a lot at him and made him come up with the goods in some tense moments.

Having endured a bitterly disappointing stint at the French Open in May, which ended with a second-round defeat, question marks had been raised over whether Sinner could go far at the All England Club.

Marko Djurica via Reuters

When asked about that shock loss at Roland Garros and whether the four-time major winner could legitimately be named as the odds-on favourite, McEnroe answered emphatically.

“There is a little dent in the armour which you saw in France. There’s always that risk when you don’t play any matches (on grass before the tournament).

“You’re a little bit unsure the first couple of rounds, but he’s going to go into Friday feeling a lot better than he did two sets to one down on Monday as the defending champion.”

Manchester United will have to look at alternative midfield options after missing out on the signature of Mateus Fernandes.

Amid talk of a big-money move from West Ham, the Portuguese ace will be remaining in London for the new season after agreeing a transfer to Tottenham.

Much will be expected of the Red Devils heading into the 2026/27 season after a positive campaign under Michael Carrick, with a midfield overhaul expected to happen as they look to go strong in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Following Fernandes’ snub, a familiar name has cropped up again as United look to add some much-needed options to that area of the pitch.

Baleba return?

Manchester United have Carlos Baleba on their list when it comes to signing a new midfielder, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.

The Red Devils were keen on signing the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder 12 months ago but a deal never came to fruition.

United did approach the Seagulls for the 22-year-old last summer, only to be put off by their £100m price tag.

Jacobs said in April that offers under £70m are unlikely to be considered, with the journalist also confirming that the player only wants United.

The Cameroon international, who club chiefs reportedly view as the ‘new Casemiro’, received rave reviews during the 2024/25 season, thus leading to Manchester United’s interest in him, and he still went on to feature regularly for Fabio Hurzeler’s team last term.

Baleba may not have had the same influence in 2025/26 as he did the previous season, but Brighton will still be looking to get as close to their valuation of the player as possible.

Alternative midfield options

United have a number of options as they look to take their midfield to the next level.

The club already have one player set to add to Carrick’s numbers in the middle of the park, with Ederson set to officially complete a move to Old Trafford from Atalanta once his participation at this summer’s World Cup with Brazil is officially over.

According to Jacobs, Manchester United are set to explore a move for Bournemouth star Alex Scott after seeing Fernandes opt for a £85m switch to Tottenham.

The Cherries are keen to tie the former Bristol City midfielder down to a new contract at the Vitality Stadium after a standout season that saw him called up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the very first time.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea are other clubs to watch when it comes to a move for Scott, who Bournemouth value around £80m.

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni joins Baleba on United’s list, with Sander Berge of Fulham another name discussed.

All eyes will be on Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool this season after the highly-rated Spaniard replaced Arne Slot at the helm.

Following their 2024/25 Premier League title-winning campaign, the Reds endured a nightmare season last term and finished the year in fifth position, 25 points behind newly-crowned champions Arsenal.

Liverpool’s struggles resulted in Slot’s departure, with Iraola taking on the hotseat after an incredible season where he guided Bournemouth to European qualification for the first time after finishing three points behind the Merseyside club in sixth.

Liverpool splashed the cash in the transfer market 12 months ago and the focus will very much be on them once again as Iraola looks to make an immediate mark at Anfield.

Liverpool watching Fulham star

Liverpool are keeping close tabs on Fulham winger Kevin, according to Anfield Watch.

The Reds have already seen some movement in that area of the pitch this summer following Mohamed Salah’s departure from the club.

Federico Chiesa could potentially join the Egyptian in heading for pastures new, with the club signing Spanish ace Victor Munoz from Osasuna in a £34.5m deal and having a keen interest in RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande.

Given the need to add to their wide options, Kevin has emerged as a potential addition for Liverpool as they plan for the years ahead.

The Brazilian joined Fulham in a club-record £34.6m deal last September on a long-term contract until the summer of 2030, with the Cottagers having an option to extend it by a further year.

The left-winger finished his first season in west London with three goals and four assists to his name in 31 appearances, notably scoring in a 3-2 defeat against Manchester United in February.

More will be expected of the 23-year-old this season following his first year in England, with Anfield Watch reporting that Liverpool have been watching the player since his move to Fulham to see how he would adapt to the Premier League.

Exciting Kevin prediction could come true

Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes

Dario Srna’s big Kevin prediction could very well come true if Liverpool make a move for the Fulham star,

Speaking to BBC Sport last September following the Brazilian’s move from Shakhtar Donetsk to the Cottagers, Srna, the club’s sporting director, stated that the youngster “will move to one of the biggest clubs within the next two years”.

“Fulham have an amazing winger, he has amazing skills, is so fast, good one-versus-one, he even defends well,” outlined Srna.

“With Marco Silva, for me one of the best coaches in the Premier League, he will continue to develop for sure. I believe Kevin will move to one of the biggest clubs within the next two years.”