How to watch Wimbledon 2026 Day 2: Serena Williams returns to Centre Court
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Day 2 at Wimbledon brings one of the most anticipated first-round days in the tournament's recent history. Serena Williams steps onto Centre Court on June 30 for her first Grand Slam singles match in nearly four years, facing 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint in the Women's Singles first round. Williams, 44, received a wildcard entry and is playing at Wimbledon – where she has won seven singles titles – for the first time since 2022.
The day also features Iga Swiatek opening on Centre Court as the defending women's champion, a blockbuster men's clash between Jack Draper and sixth seed Taylor Fritz, and the return of Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina on No. 1 Court. The Williams sisters are also entered in Women's Doubles together for the first time in nearly a decade, facing Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in their opener.
BBC iPlayer streams all 18 courts live and free in the UK, including Serena Williams on Centre Court. The stream is geo-restricted outside the UK, but a VPN with a UK server unlocks it from anywhere. We recommend NordVPN for fast, reliable access to BBC iPlayer.
Where to watch Wimbledon 2026 Day 2
| Country | Streaming service | Price | Session start |
| United Kingdom | BBC iPlayer | Free | 11:00 AM BST (outer courts) / 1:30 PM BST (Centre Court) |
| Ireland | BBC iPlayer | Free | 11:00 AM BST |
| United States | ESPN | Subscription required | 6:00 AM ET (outer courts) / 8:30 AM ET (Centre Court) |
| Australia | 9Now / Stan Sport | Free (selected) / Paid (full) | 8:00 PM AEST |
| Canada | TSN | Subscription required | 6:00 AM ET |
| India | JioHotstar | Subscription required | 3:30 PM IST |
Serena Williams plays third on Centre Court. Based on typical match lengths at Wimbledon, her match is estimated to start between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM BST / 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM ET – but this depends entirely on how long the Swiatek and Draper-Fritz matches run. Check the Wimbledon app or BBC Sport live scores on the day for a real-time estimate.
How to watch Wimbledon 2026 for free with a VPN
BBC iPlayer carries every match at Wimbledon live and free in the UK, covering all 18 courts simultaneously. Outside the UK, the stream is geo-restricted, but a VPN with a UK server gives you full access from anywhere in the world.
- Choose a VPN. We recommend NordVPN for streaming Wimbledon. It retained 86% of base connection speed in Cybernews testing using the NordLynx protocol, includes UK server locations, and supports Smart DNS for smart TVs without native VPN apps.
- Download and install the app. NordVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and several TV platforms.
- Connect to a UK server. Open the app and select a server in the United Kingdom.
- Go to bbc.co.uk/iplayer. Create a free BBC account if you don't already have one. Enter any valid UK postcode during registration – for example, W1A 1AA for central London.
- Find the Wimbledon live stream. Search for Wimbledon or browse Sport. BBC One carries Centre Court from 1:30 PM BST. The Red Button and iPlayer show every other court simultaneously.
Why you need a VPN to watch Wimbledon 2026 for free
BBC iPlayer is the only broadcaster offering free live coverage of all 18 Wimbledon courts, including every session on Centre Court. The service is free to access within the UK but geo-restricted to UK IP addresses. Viewers outside the UK will see an error message when trying to load the stream.
This restriction exists because the BBC holds UK-only broadcast rights to Wimbledon. A VPN changes your virtual location by routing your connection through a UK server, giving you a UK IP address that BBC iPlayer accepts. This is the standard approach for UK residents traveling abroad who want to keep watching on their usual platform, and for international viewers who want access to the only fully free English-language Wimbledon stream.
For a full breakdown of the best options, see our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint: Centre Court comeback
Serena Williams is the most decorated women's player in Wimbledon history, with seven singles titles. She last competed at a Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open, where she announced her retirement from professional tennis. The 2026 Wimbledon wildcard marks her return to the sport at 44 years old, more than three and a half years after stepping away.
Williams has said her motivation for returning is her daughters – Olympia, eight, and Adira, two. "It's really about my kids getting to see me play," she told reporters ahead of the tournament. The reaction from the tennis world has been overwhelmingly warm. Novak Djokovic called the comeback "inspiring." Mirra Andreeva admitted she "wouldn't want to play against her." Williams also shared a widely-circulated emotional reunion with Grigor Dimitrov – a close friend and rumored past romantic interest from over a decade ago – during practice week, adding another personal storyline to her return.
Maya Joint is a 20-year-old Australian ranked 87th in the WTA. She and Williams have never met on tour. Joint is a capable grass-court player, but the match has captured worldwide attention almost entirely because of who stands across the net. Williams plays third on Centre Court on June 30, after Swiatek and the Draper-Fritz match.
Venus and Serena Williams doubles
Beyond the singles draw, Venus and Serena Williams are competing together in Women's Doubles – their first Grand Slam doubles appearance in nearly a decade. The sisters, who have won the Wimbledon doubles title six times together, face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in the first round. Their doubles match is scheduled separately from the singles on June 30 and could fall on an outer court later in the day or on July 1.
The Williams sisters received a wildcard entry into the doubles draw alongside their individual singles wildcards. If they advance, they could face the ninth-seeded pairing of Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs in the second round.
Other matches to watch on Day 2
Centre Court opens with Iga Swiatek [3] – the defending Wimbledon champion and world number three – taking on American Taylor Townsend in the first match of the day at 1:30 PM BST. Swiatek is attempting to defend her 2025 title on the surface that historically suits her least. Second on Centre Court is a compelling men's clash: Jack Draper, the British No. 1 and a genuine grass-court threat, faces sixth seed Taylor Fritz of the United States.
No. 1 Court features Roland-Garros 2026 champion Alexander Zverev [2] in his first grass-court match of the year against Alexander Blockx, followed by second seed Elena Rybakina – the 2022 Wimbledon champion – against Lois Boisson. Former Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka closes No. 1 Court against Matteo Berrettini in a match that drew significant attention given both players' Wimbledon pedigree. Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 champion, is also in action on Day 2, as is Irina-Camelia Begu on the outer courts.
Court 2 includes last year's finalist Amanda Anisimova and American big server Ben Shelton. Court 3 features British hope Katie Boulter and Australian Alex de Miñaur, alongside rising Czech talent Jakub Mensik.
Wimbledon Day 2 schedule (June 30)
Centre Court and No. 1 Court matches run in the order listed below. Outer courts begin at 11:00 AM BST. All times are session start times – individual match start times depend on the length of preceding matches.
Centre Court (1:30 PM BST / 8:30 AM ET)
| Order | Match | Round |
| 1st | Iga Swiatek [3] vs Taylor Townsend | Women's Singles R1 |
| 2nd | Jack Draper vs Taylor Fritz [6] | Men's Singles R1 |
| 3rd | Serena Williams vs Maya Joint | Women's Singles R1 |
No. 1 Court (1:00 PM BST / 8:00 AM ET)
| Order | Match | Round |
| 1st | Alexander Zverev [2] vs Alexander Blockx | Men's Singles R1 |
| 2nd | Elena Rybakina [2] vs Lois Boisson | Women's Singles R1 |
| 3rd | Stan Wawrinka vs Matteo Berrettini | Men's Singles R1 |
Other courts (11:00 AM BST / 6:00 AM ET) — selected matches
| Match | Court |
| Amanda Anisimova vs opponent | Court 2 |
| Ben Shelton vs opponent | Court 2 |
| Elina Svitolina vs opponent | Court 2 |
| Katie Boulter vs opponent | Court 3 |
| Alex de Miñaur vs opponent | Court 3 |
| Marketa Vondrousova vs opponent | Outer court |
| Irina-Camelia Begu vs opponent | Outer court |
| Mananchaya Sawangkaew vs Maja Chwalinska [20] | Outer court |
Full order of play including opponent names and exact court assignments is published on the official Wimbledon website each evening before the session.
How to watch Wimbledon 2026 on different devices
The simplest path is a web browser on a desktop or laptop – install a VPN, connect to a UK server, open bbc.co.uk/iplayer, and watch with no app installation required. Other devices need extra steps, particularly around app store country settings and router-level VPN for smart TVs.
Web browser (desktop and mobile)
Connect to a UK VPN server and open bbc.co.uk/iplayer in any modern browser. Create a free BBC account with a valid UK postcode if prompted. The mobile site works on both iOS and Android without the app.
iPhone and iPad (iOS / iPadOS)
Install NordVPN from the App Store (available worldwide), connect to a UK server, and watch in Safari. BBC iPlayer's mobile site streams live without needing the native app. If you want the BBC iPlayer app, it is listed in the UK App Store and requires a UK Apple ID to install. Our guide on how to change your Apple App Store country explains the steps. Apple requires a valid UK payment method or gift card to switch account region. For top VPN picks for iPhone, see our best VPN for iPhone guide.
Android phones and tablets
Install NordVPN from Google Play, connect to a UK server, and open bbc.co.uk/iplayer in Chrome. The mobile site plays live streams without the app. Our best VPN for Android guide covers the top options.
Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Google TV, Android TV)
Samsung Tizen and LG webOS app stores are region-locked and unlikely to carry BBC iPlayer outside the UK. Google TV and Android TV support native VPN apps and have a wider broadcaster catalog. For Tizen and webOS TVs, use Smart DNS from NordVPN or install the VPN at the router level to route TV traffic through a UK server. See our best VPN router guide and our step-by-step router VPN setup guide.
Streaming sticks (Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV)
Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick support native NordVPN apps. Install, connect to a UK server, and open BBC iPlayer. Roku has no native VPN app support – use a router-level VPN or Smart DNS. Chromecast with Google TV supports native VPN apps. Older Chromecast models require screen mirroring from a VPN-connected device. Apple TV supports native VPN apps but the App Store shares regional restrictions with iOS. See our best VPN for Fire Stick guide for Fire TV tips.
Game consoles (PlayStation and Xbox)
Neither console supports a native VPN app. Use a router-level VPN or stream from a laptop or phone connected to the same screen.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Serena Williams play on June 30?
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint is the third match on Centre Court, which opens at 1:30 PM BST / 8:30 AM ET. Based on typical Wimbledon match lengths — around 1h15m for a straight-sets women's match and 2-3 hours for a competitive men's match — Serena is estimated to walk on court between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM BST / 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM ET. This is an orientational estimate only; the actual time depends on how long Swiatek and Draper-Fritz run. Check the Wimbledon app or BBC Sport live scores on the day for a live update.
Where can I watch Serena Williams vs Maya Joint for free?
BBC iPlayer streams the match free in the UK and Ireland. In Australia, 9Now carries selected Wimbledon matches free. Both are geo-restricted, but a VPN with a UK or Australian server unlocks them from abroad.
Are Venus and Serena Williams playing doubles together?
Yes. Venus and Serena Williams received a wildcard into the Women's Doubles draw and face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in the first round. It is their first Grand Slam doubles appearance in nearly a decade.
Why is Grigor Dimitrov trending alongside Serena Williams?
Dimitrov and Williams shared an emotional reunion at Wimbledon during practice week, captured in video that circulated widely. The two have a longstanding friendship and were rumored to be romantically involved in 2012. Dimitrov is also playing at Wimbledon 2026 as a wildcard, returning from injury that kept him out for most of 2025.
Who is Maya Joint?
Maya Joint is a 20-year-old Australian tennis player ranked 87th in the WTA. She has never faced Serena Williams on tour before. Joint and Williams are more than two decades apart in age.
Does BBC iPlayer require a TV licence?
BBC iPlayer requires a free account and a valid UK postcode during registration. You do not need an active TV licence to watch online via iPlayer. Any valid UK postcode works – for example, SW1A 1AA.
Can I watch Wimbledon on BBC iPlayer outside the UK?
BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK. Outside the UK, a VPN connected to a UK server is required. NordVPN is our recommended option, with plans from $3.49/month on the 2-year Basic plan.
