Wimbledon Watch: SoCal’s 2025 Singles Preview

Wimbledon is where tennis tradition meets destiny. From the crisp white kits to the manicured grass courts of the All England Club, it stands as tennis’s crown jewel, a stage where legends are born and careers defined.

Southern California has long left its mark here. Legends like Long Beach’s Billie Jean King, with six singles titles, and Palos Verdes Peninsula’s Tracy Austin, who shocked the tennis world by winning when she was just 16, helped define a golden era of American tennis. In 1999, Lindsay Davenport beat Steffi Graf in her final Slam to win the singles title, then added a doubles trophy with Corina Morariu. More recently, Venus and Serena Williams from Compton, built their own Centre Court legacies.

The most recent Wimbledon title by a SoCal player came in 2016, when Serena Williams captured her seventh crown—and 22nd Grand Slam singles title—defeating Angelique Kerber, 7-5, 6-3. That win tied her with Steffi Graf’s Open Era record, after Kerber had ended her Australian Open run earlier that year.

On the men’s side, Palos Verdes’ Pete Sampras won the last American Wimbledon title in 2000, defeating Patrick Rafter 6-7(10), 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-2.

Now, a new generation of Southern Californian talent returns to London’s lawns, carrying the hopes of a tennis-rich community as they prepare for this year’s Grand Slam showdown.

Taylor Fritz: America’s Grass-Court King Eyes Wimbledon Glory

On the eve of Wimbledon, Taylor Fritz looks ready to make a serious statement. The 27-year-old Rancho Santa Fe native is arriving at The Championships in blistering form, fresh off two ATP 250 titles at the BOSS OPEN and Eastbourne Open, his fourth and fifth career titles on grass, respectively. Of his 10 ATP titles in total, half have come on this surface, a testament to his dominance.

At Eastbourne, where he’s now a four-time champion (2019, 2022, 2024, 2025), Fritz has turned Centre Court into his personal playground. This week, he battled through three third-set victories en route to the final, then overcame an early deficit to defeat Jenson Brooksby in 88 minutes, further cementing his status as a major threat on grass.

Fritz is the first man since Matteo Berrettini in 2022 to win two grass-court titles heading into Wimbledon.

“Don’t sleep on Taylor,” Andy Roddick said on his podcast Served. “Fritz on grass… You know, he was a couple of points away from the semis, where he would have played Kyrgios.”

That near-miss came in 2022, when Fritz took Rafael Nadal to five unforgettable sets in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. He equaled that performance last year, rallying from two sets down to take out Alexander Zverev, snapping the German’s flawless serving record along the way. Though his run ended in another five-set heartbreaker to Lorenzo Musetti, Roddick sees the bigger picture.

This year marks Fritz’s ninth Wimbledon appearance, and arguably his most promising yet. Now ranked world No. 5, he reached his first Grand Slam final at the 2024 US Open and enters The Championships convinced this could be the major where everything clicks. “That’s the only reason I really want to be playing,” he told The Guardian, speaking candidly about his pursuit of a Grand Slam title.

Asked if he’d feel unfulfilled without one, he didn’t sugarcoat it: “I probably would. I’d probably think about it forever if I don’t do it.”

His game is tailor-made for grass. A heavy serve and explosive forehand allow him to take early control of points, while his low, compact backhand punishes opponents off the baseline. Former pro Jack Sock believes Fritz isn’t just a contender, he’s one of the best.

“I think he is up there for sure. I think he has shown that at Wimbledon already,” Sock said on the Nothing Major podcast. “Now winning this tournament… his ball striking is so good. His backhand stays so low on the grass, it penetrates through it. Guys have to lift it, and he’s able to dictate. His serve is massive. So I think he is top three. Maybe two as well.”

Sock added that grass plays to Fritz’s physical strengths. “Where he has maybe lacked in movement at times… he can kind of hide it on the grass… you take out the sliding for most guys and that sort of crazy movement.”

Fritz, for his part, isn’t sweating his recent drop from No. 4 to No. 5 in the rankings. “I don’t think it’s that big a deal because if I was four and Draper five we could still have played each other in the quarters,” he explained. “It now means that Novak Djokovic can’t be in my quarter. I could get Zverev [whom Fritz has beaten eight times in 13 matches] or maybe Alcaraz. Being fourth or fifth seed makes a very small difference.”

Statistically, he’s entering elite territory. Among active players, only Novak Djokovic owns more grass titles (8). Fritz is now the second active man to claim five grass-court tour-level trophies, with Berrettini and Nicolas Mahut trailing just behind at four apiece.

Beyond the numbers, there’s an intangible edge that sets Fritz apart, something Reilly Opelka once called “delusional optimism.” Fritz embraces it.

“You need to be extremely confident in your abilities and believe in yourself. So being a bit delusional, in a positive way, is a good thing,” he said. “When I was 14 I wasn’t that good but I was very delusional in saying I was going to, without a doubt, make it. I truly believed it and there’s no way I’d be here now without it.”

And now, with drive, belief, and a surface that suits him perfectly, the stars may finally be aligning for Fritz at the All England Club.

“It just comes down to which two weeks click for me,” he said. This might be the one.

Fritz now has a shot to do what no American man has in 25 years. He faces a tricky opener against big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, but his toughest projected test en route to the semis is Zverev, a player he’s beaten in their last five meetings. It won’t be easy, but Fritz has shown what he can do on grass, and he’s more than capable of making a deep run this July.

Brandon Nakashima Returns to Wimbledon with Momentum and Purpose

San Diego native Brandon Nakashima returns to SW19 for his fifth Wimbledon with undeniable momentum, and a history that suggests he’s ready for another deep run. The 23-year-old, affectionately known as “B-Nak,” is coming off consecutive quarterfinal finishes on grass: first at the BOSS OPEN, then at the prestigious Queen’s Club Championships in London (ATP 500). With his game clicking on the surface, Nakashima looks well-tuned for the sport’s most iconic grass-court challenge.

“I love playing on the grass,” he said. “It’s a surface I’ve always felt comfortable on from the days playing as a junior. Wimbledon is one of the most historic sporting events in the world, and being able to play here is a dream come true. The excitement and history of the tournament always brings out the best in me.”

Wimbledon holds personal significance for Nakashima. In 2021, he qualified for his first Grand Slam main draw on these very courts, facing Fritz in the opening round. But it was in 2022 that an unseeded Nakashima truly made his mark, surging into the fourth round of a Major for the first time. He defeated Colombia’s Daniel Elahi Galán before narrowly falling to eventual finalist Nick Kyrgios in a five-set thriller, a run that vaulted him into the ATP Top 50.

“I definitely learned a lot from that match,” Nakashima reflected. “Stepping out on Centre Court at Wimbledon is a feeling like no other, and that experience will live with me forever. Being able to play five sets and have the mental and physical capacity to perform at your best is something that I’ve learned and grown from.”

That 2022 campaign also marked a turning point for American men’s tennis. Nakashima and Fritz were part of a group of eight U.S. men who reached the third round, the most at Wimbledon since 1995. Both advanced further, with Nakashima—just 20 at the time—becoming the youngest American man to reach the Round of 16 since Andy Roddick in 2003.

He built on that momentum last year, reaching the third round with wins over 18th seed Sebastián Báez and Australia’s Jordan Thompson. Now ranked No. 32 in the world after cracking the Top 30 earlier this season, B-Nak credits thoughtful planning and consistent preparation for his rise.

“I wouldn’t say much has changed in terms of preparation,” he said. “I feel like my team and I have managed the schedule well in order to peak at the right times—whether it’s on the practice court or in the gym. Being able to come into Wimbledon fresh and with confidence is definitely something very important.”

Armed with experience, poise, and a love for the lawns, Nakashima returns to the All England Club not just to participate, but to contend.

In his opening match, No. 29 seed Nakashima will face World No. 69 Yunchaokete Bu of China, a first-time showdown at the ATP Tour level.

Oliver Tarvet Makes a Statement Grand Slam Debut

It was a banner week for the University of San Diego as Oliver “Ollie” Tarvet and August Holmgren carried the Torero torch with standout performances.

Just 90 minutes from home, Britain’s 21-year-old Tarvet, a USD junior ranked No. 719 entering qualifying, announced himself on the world stage with three commanding wins. The two-time WCC Player of the Year started by defeating No. 126 Terence Atmane 6-1, 7-6(2), then dispatched No. 210 Alexis Galarneau 6-3, 6-2.

His final test was Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, former junior world No. 1 and 2023 Australian Open Boys’ champion, No. 29 in qualifying. After a rain delay in the third set, Tarvet powered through 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 to reach his first Grand Slam main draw.

Tarvet’s breakthrough caps one of USD men’s tennis’s most decorated seasons. This spring, he earned his second All-American singles honor and first in doubles after sweeping the ITA All-American Championships, becoming just the fifth player ever to do so. He went 13-0 in completed singles matches against ranked opponents, including a comeback over then-ITA No. 1 Michael Zheng. Tarvet finished 25-2 in singles and led USD to regular season and tournament conference titles.

Tarvet’s first Major match will be a clash of debutants against fellow qualifier Leandro Riedi (No. 506).

A Grand Slam Breakthrough for August Holmgren 

Representing Denmark, August Holmgren (No. 195) battled through three grueling qualifying rounds to reach his first Grand Slam main draw, a milestone marked by grit and resilience.

He won back-to-back three-setters, each 1 hour 59 minutes. After dropping the first set in both, Holmgren rallied past No. 376 Giles Hussey 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, then edged veteran Mikhail Kukushkin (No. 190) 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.

In the final round, he faced Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki (No. 179) in a near four-hour thriller. Holmgren took the first set, then trailed two sets to one, but dug deep to win 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-7(11), 7-6(7), punching his Wimbledon ticket in unforgettable style.

“Even when I was facing adversity in the tiebreaks, I managed my emotions quite well and kept focusing on the game plan for the upcoming point,” Holmgren reflected on the dramatic win.

Holmgren’s pro success follows a decorated USD career. He was the 2022 NCAA Singles runner-up, two-time WCC Player of the Year, four-time First Team All-WCC honoree in singles and doubles, and a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete. In 2019, alongside Joel Gamerov, he made USD history as the first doubles team to reach NCAA quarterfinals and earn All-America honors.

“I’m really happy that the program can be represented on the biggest stage of professional tennis. It’s a testament to the quality of player development that coach Keckley along with the rest of the coaching staff lead (Rich Bonfiglio, and Sebastian Rey were the assistant coaches when I was there, and Alex Funkhauser with Ollie). I hope mine and Ollie’s example can help show future recruits that USD is a place to go if they have dreams of playing professionally,” Holmgren said.

From Torero standout to Wimbledon debutant, Holmgren continues to build a legacy on tennis’s grandest stage. He opens against World No. 47 Quentin Halys, a two-time Wimbledon third-rounder.

Iva Jovic Storms into Wimbledon

On the women’s side, all eyes are on Torrance’s Iva Jovic as she enters the main draw. The World No. 89 and No. 3 qualifying seed showed serious grit in her three qualifying matches, spending over six hours on court. In each match, she dropped the second set before storming back in the third, taking down World No. 186 Linda Klimovicova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, No. 192 Julia Riera 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. Her third round match was her most dominant performance, where she defeated No. 134 Katarzyna Kawa 6-3, 7-6(2).

“It was a lot of time that I spent on the court and some three-set matches that I didn’t know if I would be able to get through but I just tried to take it one point at a time and focus on what I needed to do strategically and tactically because it’s easy to get wrapped up in the ‘Oh my God, I need to win. I hope I can qualify,’” explained Jovic. “I just tried to focus on the present and it ended up working out with those tough wins.”

With her Wimbledon main draw debut, Jovic joins an elite club, having now competed in all four Grand Slam main draws. At just 17, this milestone highlights her rapid ascent and versatility across every surface, marking her as a rising star. From hard courts to clay and now the iconic grass at Wimbledon, Jovic is crafting an impressive start to what promises to be a thrilling career.

Carson Branstine’s Bold Run Leads to Sabalenka Showdown

In Wimbledon qualifying, Carson Branstine of Orange made a statement. The 24-year-old battled through three deciding sets, taking out Lois Boisson 6-2, 7-6(10), 6-4, former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-1, and Raluka Serban 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-2, to punch her ticket to the main draw.

“Maybe not everyone knows me, but I think I can beat anyone out there,” said the Orange County native, who represents Canada. Her win over Boisson marked her second upset of a No. 1 seed on grass this year.

A former Texas A&M standout, Branstine now gets a shot at a third No. 1 seed upset, against none other than three-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka. If she pulls off the feat, her second-round opponent will be another proven force: either Marie Bouzkova or Lulu Sun, both former Wimbledon quarterfinalists.

Tien Time: Teen Phenom Takes Down Third Top Ten Ahead of Wimbledon

Irvine’s Learner Tien scored one of the biggest wins of his young career on Wednesday, stunning top seed Ben Shelton 6-4, 7-6(2) to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 Mallorca Championships.

The 19-year-old, ranked No. 67, played with maturity beyond his years, committing just 22 unforced errors to Shelton’s 38. Down 4-1 in the second set, Tien showed grit and composure, rallying to close out the upset in just 1 hour and 40 minutes. It marked his third top-10 win of the season.

Following his victory over Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open, Tien took down Corentin Moutet to reach the fourth round. After beating Shelton in Spain, he met Moutet again, but this time, the Frenchman got the better of him, ending Tien’s run. Still, the teenager continues to prove he belongs on the game’s biggest stages.

Tien now makes his Wimbledon main draw debut, having previously reached the Junior Boys’ singles quarterfinals in both 2022 and 2023. He opens against fellow American Nishesh Basavareddy, a first meeting in a main draw, but not unfamiliar territory. Tien holds a 2-0 edge in their head-to-head, with wins at the Knoxville and Bloomfield Hills Challengers.

Alex Michelsen Means Business 

Alex Michelsen’s rise in 2025 has been nothing short of electric. The 20-year-old from Aliso Viejo, now ranked No. 33, broke through with a fourth-round run at the Australian Open and followed it up with his first ATP clay title in Estoril. He then made the doubles final at the BOSS OPEN with Rajeev Ram, and, less than 36 hours later, won a first-round doubles match in Halle with Karen Khachanov, showing off his adaptability.

In singles at Halle, Michelsen upset fifth seed Francisco Cerundolo and knocked out Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals before falling to Medvedev. He carried that momentum to Mallorca, beating Brandon Holt and Roberto Bautista Agut to reach the semis, where, like close friend Tien, he was stopped by Corentin Moutet.

At Wimbledon, Michelsen opens against World No. 49 Miomir Kecmanovic. A second-round clash with Chris Eubanks or Jesper de Jong could follow, before a potential third-round showdown with seven-time champion Novak Djokovic.

Former College Stars Ready to Make Wimbledon Bids 

Former UCLA teammates Marcos Giron (No. 46) and Mackenzie “Mackie” McDonald (No. 90) are both making their sixth appearance at Wimbledon. Giron, a Thousand Oaks native and the oldest Southern Californian in the singles draw at 31, has reached the second round the past four years. Earlier this week, he made the Eastbourne Open quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Taylor Fritz. He opens against Argentina’s No. 55 Camilo Ugo Carabelli.

Mackie reached the fourth round in his 2018 debut but hasn’t advanced past the first round since 2022. This year, he draws No. 19 Karen Khachanov, following a tough test at Roland Garros where he faced Novak Djokovic on Philippe-Chatrier.

Meanwhile, Brandon Holt is hitting his stride at just the right time. The former USC standout and Rolling Hills native kicked off his grass-court swing with a strong showing in Birmingham, reaching the semifinals of the ATP Challenger 125. After struggling to find momentum earlier this year, he broke through to the main draw in Mallorca, then officially secured a spot in the ATP Top 100 for the first time on Monday.

It’s a breakthrough that’s both personal and historic. Before this season, Holt had never ranked higher than No. 180. Now, with his Wimbledon main draw debut on the horizon, he’s achieved a milestone that speaks volumes about his perseverance, and yes, his proudest supporter is watching closely. Holt’s mom, Tracy Austin, the youngest US Open women’s singles champion in history, couldn’t be more thrilled.

“It’s obviously extremely rewarding to make the Top 100, and well deserved. He’s put in so much effort, it’s a tremendous accomplishment,” Austin told ATPTour.com. “I feel like he’s had a really good attitude, meaning that it’s not the destination. He really was focusing on the journey, and I think that’s just so much healthier.”

Holt is set to face No. 28 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Spain’s second-highest-ranked player behind Carlos Alcaraz, in his first-round match.

Pepperdine alum Mayar Sherif (No. 86) returns for her third Wimbledon singles appearance, where she’ll face 2025 BNP Paribas Open champion Mirra Andreeva in the opening round.

Qualifying Wrap Up

Several Southern Californians battled through Wimbledon qualifying but came up just short of the main draw. Kayla Day (Santa Barbara) and Hanna Chang (Fontana) each survived three-set openers before falling in round two. Zach Svajda (Pacific Beach) faced top seed Marton Fucsovics, while former USC star Yannick Hanfmann lost to Beibit Zhukayev. Woodland Hills’ Emilio Nava pushed Dominic Stricker but narrowly missed a final-round berth.

In her Wimbledon singles debut, Rancho Palos Verdes’ Ena Shibahara, former UCLA All-American and two-time Olympian, won her first two matches, including a nearly three-hour battle against Marina Bassols Ribera, before falling in the final round to Linda Fruhvirtova, 3-6, 5-7.

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Men’s and women’s doubles action begins Wednesday, July 2, followed by the start of Mixed Doubles on Friday, July 4. Junior Boys and Girls’ singles matches get underway Saturday, July 5, with Boys’ Doubles beginning Monday, July 7. On Tuesday, July 8, Girls’ Doubles joins the schedule, along with the opening rounds of Wheelchair Singles and the always-entertaining Invitation Doubles. The Quad Wheelchair Singles and Wheelchair Doubles competitions begin Wednesday, July 9. For the full daily schedule, visit the official Wimbledon website.