World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka returned to the grass courts of the All England Club for her opening match at Wimbledon 2025, facing Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine on Court 1. After missing last year’s tournament due to a shoulder injury, Sabalenka is determined to make a strong statement in her quest for a maiden Wimbledon title.
Live on Star Sports
The match, scheduled for 5:30 PM IST, is being broadcast live on Star Sports Select and streamed on JioHotstar, giving Indian fans front-row access to one of the most anticipated first-round clashes of the tournament.
No.1 seed #ArynaSabalenka takes Court 1 for her opening test at Wimbledon 2025. 👑🌱
Will she power past #Branstine and set the tone for a title run?#Wimbledon 2025 👉 #Sabalenka vs #Branstine LIVE Now on Star Sports Select & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/u1xUOxeaoe
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 30, 2025
Sabalenka Eyes Redemption After Grand Slam Setbacks
Sabalenka enters Wimbledon with something to prove. Despite reaching the finals of both the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year, she fell short in both, losing to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff respectively.
Reflecting on her Roland Garros loss, Sabalenka admitted, “I just completely lost it. I did what I did. I get what I deserve, I believe. It was a tough time for me. The lesson is learned”.
Now, with renewed focus and a powerful grass-court game, she’s looking to reset the narrative. Her 2025 season has already seen 42 wins—more than any other WTA player—35 of which came in straight sets.
Branstine’s Big Break on the Grand Slam Stage
On the other side of the net, Carson Branstine, ranked just inside the top 200, is making her Grand Slam main draw debut.
The 24-year-old earned her spot by winning three qualifying matches, including a notable victory over former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu.
A dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, Branstine is also a professional model, using her earnings to fund her tennis career.
While the odds are stacked against her, Branstine’s recent form on grass and fearless attitude could make her a tricky opponent in the early rounds.
What’s at Stake
Sabalenka has reached the semifinals at Wimbledon twice (2021, 2023) but has never made it to the final.
With her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, she remains one of the top contenders for the title. However, as Wimbledon 2025 kicks off amid a London heatwave, the pressure is on to deliver from the very first point.
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