Let’s start our Wimbledon 2023 Predictions with the matches taking place on Centre Court. if you are interested in betting on tennis, check out some options. We have also listed the most common mistakes when betting on tennis. We advise anyone betting never to bet more than they can afford to lose and never bother a player about it. It is just supposed to be a fun way of adding some extra stake to the game.

If you want to check out the Wimbledon draw, here is the link to the official website and its order of play.

Centre Court

Novak Djokovic (2) vs Pedro Cachin

The defending champion opens up this year’s action on Centre Court and faces world number 67, Pedro Cachin. Although Djokovic hasn’t played since his victory at Roland Garros, the Serb rarely needs much time to adapt from the high-bouncing clay courts to the slick grass. It may take Djokovic some time to find his groove, but I don’t see how Cachin can cause the 23-time major winner any problems.

Prediction – Djokovic to win in 3 sets

Venus Williams vs Elina Svitolina

The first mouth-watering match of the tournament sees the five-time Wimbledon singles champion Venus Williams take on the former world number 3 Elina Svitolina. Svitolina has made a successful return to the tour, reaching the quarter-final in Roland Garros. Venus also made her return to the tour at Birmingham and rolled back the years to defeat Camila Giorgi in three tight sets. I could see this match going either way but I’m going to go with the 43-year-old American.

Prediction – Williams to win in 3 sets

Jannik Sinner (8) vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo

Jannik Sinner will close centre court on the first day of this year’s championships as he takes on the Argentine, Juan Manuel Cerundolo. Sinner reached the quarter-final at last year’s tournament so will be looking to build upon this result. Cerundolo will be making his Wimbledon debut and what a debut it is to be playing on Centre Court. Cerundolo has one ATP title to his name and has won seven challengers titles, all on the clay. The Argentine’s lack of grass-court experience will play a major factor and if Sinner is fit, this will be a straightforward win for the Italian.

Prediction – Sinner to win in 3 sets

Court 1

Iga Swiatek (1) vs Lin Zhu

The world number 1 begins her Wimbledon campaign on court 1 and takes on China’s Lin Zhu. The Pole reached the semi-final of last week’s tour event in Bad Homburg but had to pull out due to illness. Zhu narrowly missed out on being seeded at this year’s tournament, so if Swiatek is still not fully recovered, Zhu will take advantage. Having said this, Swiatek has the ability to play her best when it matters most, so I only see one-way traffic here.

Prediction – Swiatek to win in 2 sets

Casper Ruud (4) vs Laurent Lokoli

The French Open finalist, Ruud, hasn’t played any warm-up events this year and grass is by far his least favourite surface. His best result at the All England Club came at last year’s event where he reached the second round. I think Ruud has the quality to win this match, but it won’t be easy. His opponent Laurent Lokoli won three straight matches to qualify for this year’s tournament. I expect Ruud to come through this match, but it will be tough.

Prediction – Ruud to win in 4 sets

Coco Gauff (7) vs Sofia Kenin

The all-American battle between the world number 7, Coco Gauff and the 2020 Australian Open champion, Sofia Kenin will surely entertain the crowd on court 1. It was in 2019 when a 15-year-old Coco made her magical breakthrough, reaching the fourth round of the tournament. Since then, she has reached a major singles final and risen to a career-high of number 4 in the WTA rankings. Kenin’s trajectory has taken the opposite path. After her spectacular season in 2020, which saw her lift her first major title and reach the Roland Garros final, she’s struggled for match wins ever since and has fallen outside the world’s top 100. Kenin has found some form this past week, winning three matches to qualify for this year’s competition. Could this be a comeback win for Kenin or a reminder of why Gauff is one of this year’s contenders for the title.

Prediction – Gauff to win in 3 sets

Matches to watch

There some excellent matches to watch also on the other courts on day 1 of Wimbledon 2023. Here are more Wimbledon 2023 predictions.

Donna Vekic (20) vs Shuai Zhang

Vekic is a seasoned grass-courter but faces a tough first-round match against former Wimbledon quarter-finalist Shuai Zhang.

Prediction – Vekic to win in 2 sets

Veronika Kudermetova (12) vs Kaia Kanepi

The 12th seed recently reached the final of the grass-court event Rosmalen Open. She opens up against the 38-year-old veteran and two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist, Kaia Kanepi.

Prediction – Kudermetova to win in two sets

Stan Wawrinka vs Emil Ruusuvuori

Three-time major winner Stan the Man is back and plays Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori. Ruusuvuori comes into Wimbledon with some form, defeating Jannik Sinner on the grass courts of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. However, Wawrinka has the game and the firepower to hit through Ruusuvuori. Expect this to be a marathon match between the newcomer and the veteran.

Prediction – Wawrinka to win in 5 sets

Jordan Thompson vs Brandon Nakashima

Nakashima reached the fourth round last year, narrowly losing out to Nick Kyrgios in five sets. He faces another Aussie this time around in, Jordan Thompson. Thompson plays particularly well on the grass, so this will be another gruelling match.

Prediction – Thompson to win in 4 sets