Rohan Bopanna Names His Wimbledon 2026 Champions: Backs Jannik Sinner And Elena Rybakina For Titles

Indian tennis great Rohan Bopanna has backed Jannik Sinner and Elena Rybakina to win the Wimbledon 2026 singles titles, saying the draw looks open but the defending men's champion remains his pick at the All England Club.

Speaking on JioStar ahead of the tournament, the two-time Grand Slam winner also reflected on what Wimbledon - the most prestigious tennis tournament on the planet - has meant to him personally.

Wimbledon 2026 will be played from June 29 to July 12, bringing the grass-court season to its biggest stage. For Indian fans, Bopanna's view carries weight because he has competed at the highest level of the sport and understands how different Wimbledon can feel from other Grand Slams.

Rohan Bopanna backs Jannik Sinner and Elena Rybakina

Asked on JioStar to name his likely champions, Bopanna

admitted the prediction was not straightforward. "It's such a tough question; the field is so open. But I have to go with defending champion Jannik Sinner for the men's tournament. Among women, I would pick Elena Rybakina, he said.

Sinner's selection is understandable. The Italian has become one of the most consistent players in the men's game, with his clean ball-striking and improved movement making him a serious threat on every surface. On grass, his ability to take the ball early and shorten rallies gives him a natural advantage when conditions reward quick decision-making.

Rybakina is also a strong grass-court choice. Her serve remains one of the biggest weapons in women's tennis, and Wimbledon often rewards players who can hold comfortably and apply pressure in return games. She has already shown that her game can translate well to the lawns of SW19.

Bopanna's phrase "the field is so open also captures the current mood around both singles draws. The men's competition has moved beyond the era when Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic dominated every major conversation. In the women's game, depth has made early-round danger a regular feature, especially on grass.

Why Wimbledon still feels different for Bopanna

Bopanna's connection with Wimbledon goes beyond predictions. For an Indian player who grew up at a time when international tennis coverage was limited, the tournament represented the sport's grandest stage. He described it as the event that shaped his earliest tennis imagination.

"Wimbledon is a magical dream because I grew up watching only that. Back home, we only used to watch Wimbledon. In fact, television only broadcast Wimbledon. So, for me to go there and not only be present but also play on those courts was absolutely amazing, Bopanna said on JioStar.

He also recalled being part of a rare period in tennis history. "I also played in an era when the three greatest tennis players of our generation, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, were competing. Sharing locker rooms with them and simply being there was better than a dream, actually, he added.

That perspective matters because Wimbledon is not only about form. The surface, the setting and the weight of tradition often test players differently. Grass rewards confidence and clarity, while the shorter points can punish hesitation. Even strong hard-court or clay-court players sometimes need time to adjust.

Sanju Samson compares Federer with MS Dhoni

The JioStar conversation also brought a crossover moment between tennis and cricket, with India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson asked to compare tennis greats with cricket icons. Samson drew a direct parallel between Federer's elegance and MS Dhoni's calmness under pressure.

"The Roger Federer of cricket? It has to be MS Dhoni. He is very calm and composed in the way he goes about his business. When he performs, it looks effortless yet very powerful, Samson said on JioStar.

He then compared Carlos Alcaraz's intensity with Virat Kohli's early career energy. "Carlos Alcaraz, on the other hand, is very explosive, much like how Virat Bhai started. Maybe Virat Kohli can be compared to Alcaraz. He is very aggressive and full of power and explosiveness, Samson said.

For tennis fans, Bopanna's picks add an early talking point before the first ball is struck at Wimbledon 2026. Sinner and Rybakina may be strong choices, but grass-court tennis rarely follows a simple script. That uncertainty is part of Wimbledon's appeal, especially in an era where both singles fields look capable of producing surprises.