{"id":740367,"date":"2026-07-03T06:32:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T06:32:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/740367\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T06:32:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T06:32:26","slug":"14-black-tennis-players-to-know-at-wimbledon-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/740367\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Black tennis players to know at Wimbledon this year"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time in nearly a decade, Serena and Venus Williams, at 44 and 45 respectively, will hopefully walk onto Centre Court in London together during the tournament after Thursday\u2019s match was postponed to compete in doubles at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n

While Serena also accepted a wildcard into the singles draw and fell after a grueling, high-energy match on Tuesday, the sisters accepted a doubles wildcard in late May. They last played doubles together at Wimbledon in 2016.<\/p>\n

Their return is generating plenty of anticipation all on its own, but it also comes as Black representation in tennis continues to grow.<\/p>\n

From reigning champions and Grand Slam winners to rising teenagers and first-time contenders, Black talent is behind the racket in full force this year. At least 15 Black players are competing in the singles draw, including Serena, representing several different countries, while at least 13 are competing in doubles and have or will grace Centre Court during the tournament. As Wimbledon, which lasts through July 12, continues, we\u2019re rounding up the Black players you should keep on your radar.<\/p>\n

The men<\/p>\n

\"\"Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada celebrates victory against Dino Prizmic of Croatia during their Gentlemen\u2019s Singles second round match on day three of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

F\u00e9lix Auger-Aliassime, 25<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s top-ranked men\u2019s player, hailing from Montreal, entered Wimbledon as the No. 3 seed. He advanced to the third round after defeating Dino Prizmic in straight sets and will next face American qualifier Michael Zheng.<\/p>\n

\"\"Frances Tiafoe of United States celebrates a point against Terence Atmane of France during their Gentlemen\u2019s Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Frances Tiafoe, 28<\/p>\n

Hyattsville, Maryland\u2019s own, continues to carry the flag for American men\u2019s tennis as the tournament\u2019s No. 17 seed. He opened with a win over Terence Atmane and is scheduled to face Jan Choinski in the second round.<\/p>\n

\"\"Ben Shelton of United States plays a backhand against Otto Virtanen of Finland during their Gentlemen\u2019s Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Stockman\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Ben Shelton, 23<\/p>\n

One of the biggest servers in the men\u2019s game, the Atlanta-born, Gainesville-raised American entered Wimbledon as the No. 4 seed. His tournament came to an early end after a grueling five-set loss to Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen.<\/p>\n

\"\"Arthur Fils of France plays a forehand against Matteo Berrettini of Italy during their Gentlemen\u2019s Singles second round match on day four of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 02, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Arthur Fils, 22<\/p>\n

France\u2019s rising star arrived at Wimbledon as the No. 20 seed. He defeated Raphael Collignon in the opening round before falling to Matteo Berrettini in the second.<\/p>\n

\"\"Gabriel Diallo of Canada plays a backhand against Benjamin Bonzi of France during their Gentlemen\u2019s Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Stockman\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Gabriel Diallo, 24<\/p>\n

Fresh off a breakout season, the Canadian advanced when Benjamin Bonzi retired during their five-set opener. His run ended in another marathon five-set battle against Lorenzo Sonego.<\/p>\n

\"\"Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France reacts against Yannick Hanfmann of Germany during their Gentlemen\u2019s Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 22<\/p>\n

Standing 6-foot-7 with one of the tour\u2019s biggest serves, the Frenchman remains one of tennis\u2019 most intriguing young talents. He bowed out in the opening round after a four-set loss to Germany\u2019s Yannick Hanfmann.<\/p>\n

The women\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Coco Gauff of United States celebrates victory against Solana Sierra of Argentina during their Ladies\u2019 Singles second round match on day three of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Coco Gauff, 22<\/p>\n

Fresh off her French Open title, the Atlanta-raised American entered Wimbledon as the No. 7 seed. She survived a second-round scare by rallying past Solana Sierra in a deciding-set tiebreak and now faces fellow American Claire Liu.<\/p>\n

\"\"Naomi Osaka of Japan walks onto the court for the Ladies\u2019 Singles second round match against Anastasia Gasanova on day three of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Naomi Osaka, 28<\/p>\n

The four-time Grand Slam champion is once again making noise on grass. Representing Japan, Osaka opened with a straight-sets win over Elsa Jacquemot while debuting yet anothe high concept high fashion ensemble, this time a custom \u201cKill Bill\u201d-inspired white outfit, and now faces Daria Kasatkina.<\/p>\n

\"\"Taylor Townsend of United States celebrates a point against Iga Swiatek of Poland during their Ladies\u2019 Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Taylor Townsend, 30<\/p>\n

Already one of the world\u2019s best doubles players, the Chicago native made history in 2025 as the first mother to reach World No. 1 in women\u2019s doubles. Although she fell to Iga Swiatek in singles, she\u2019s still competing in doubles alongside top-seeded partner Kate\u0159ina Siniakov\u00e1.<\/p>\n

\"\"Madison Keys of United States celebrates against Kayla Day of United States during their Ladies\u2019 Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Madison Keys, 31<\/p>\n

The reigning Australian Open champion continues to build on the best season of her career. The Illinois native, seeded No. 26, advanced to the third round by defeating Britain\u2019s Katie Swan in straight sets.<\/p>\n

\"\"Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates a point against Robin Montgomery of United States during their Ladies\u2019 Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Jasmine Paolini, 30<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s Wimbledon finalist showed her trademark resilience in the opening round. The Italian battled back from a 6-0 first-set loss to defeat Robin Montgomery and next faces Viktorija Golubic.<\/p>\n

\"\"Tyra Caterina Grant of Italy celebrates winning match point against Katie Boulter of Great Britain during their Ladies\u2019 Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Tyra Caterina Grant, 18<\/p>\n

One of the sport\u2019s brightest teenage prospects, Grant recently switched her allegiance from the United States back to Italy. After battling through qualifying and upsetting Katie Boulter in the first round, her run ended in the second against Marie Bouzkov\u00e1.<\/p>\n

\"\"Alycia Parks of United States celebrates a point against Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand during their Ladies\u2019 Singles second round match on day three of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Cameron Spencer\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Alycia Parks, 25<\/p>\n

Known for one of the fastest serves in women\u2019s tennis, the Atlanta-born American advanced through the opening round before falling to Thailand\u2019s Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the second.<\/p>\n

\"\"Robin Montgomery of United States plays a forehand against Jasmine Paolini of Italy during their Ladies\u2019 Singles first round match on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Robin Montgomery, 21<\/p>\n

The Washington, D.C., native has steadily climbed the rankings since winning both girls\u2019 titles at the 2021 US Open. She pushed Paolini to three sets after taking the first 6-0, but was ultimately eliminated in the opening round.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For the first time in nearly a decade, Serena and Venus Williams, at 44 and 45 respectively, will…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":740368,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[72],"tags":[5113,88,15511,18323,122216,99,24842,428,37212,96],"class_list":["post-740367","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tennis","tag-coco-gauff","tag-entertainment","tag-frances-tiafoe","tag-naomi-osaka","tag-serena-wiliams","tag-sports","tag-taylor-townsend","tag-tennis","tag-tennis-players","tag-wimbledon"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/740367","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=740367"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/740367\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/740368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=740367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=740367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=740367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}