Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic's first-round opponents deliver immediate reactions to nightmare Wimbledon draw

The 2025 Wimbledon draw has now been released as the stars of the WTA and ATP Tours prepare for their first-round matches.

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz will take on Italy’s Fabio Fognini in his opening match, a tie that will no doubt entertain the fans on Centre Court.

On the women’s side, 2024 champion Barbora Krejcikova will play Alexandra Eala, one of the WTA Tour’s rising stars.

Chasing a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title, Novak Djokovic will take on France’s Alexandre Muller in the first round.

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Women’s number one Aryna Sabalenka will play Carson Branstine, the Canadian star who advanced to the main draw via qualifying.

Receiving nightmare draws, Branstine and Muller posted their immediate reactions on social media.

Carson Branstine reacts to drawing Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon

Taking to social media, Canada’s Branstine gave her verdict on the draw as she now prepares to play the world number one.

“Maybe one day I’ll get a good draw LOL,” she said.

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Branstine’s comments reference her poor luck with draws on grass this year, playing the number-one seed in her opening match at three consecutive tournaments.

She may, however, take some confidence from her performances against Liudmila Samsonova and Lois Boisson.

After winning the qualifying tournament in the Netherlands, Branstine advanced to take on Samsonova in round one of the Libema Open, where she secured one of the biggest wins of her career, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1.

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Losing in the second round, Branstine returned to qualifying action 12 days later at Wimbledon, against French Open semi-finalist Boisson.

Boisson controversially wasn’t given a Wild Card into the main draw of Wimbledon, as the Frenchwoman was required to win three qualifying matches if she wanted to join the 128-woman field.

It wasn’t to be, as Branstine defeated Boisson in three sets 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, to book her place in round two of qualifying.

There, Branstine beat Bianca Andreescu, her fellow Canadian, to move within one win of a place in the main draw.

Defeating Cypriot star Raluca Georgiana Serban in a deciding set, Branstine qualified for the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

She likely would’ve preferred an easier welcome to Grand Slam tennis than a clash with the world number one, but if Branstine’s performances on grass have proven anything, it’s that she shouldn’t be underestimated.

Alexandre Muller posts hilarious reaction to Novak Djokovic draw at Wimbledon

Frenchman Muller has been given the unenviable task of playing seven-time winner Djokovic in his opening match at SW19.

Reacting to the draw, Muller took to social media, sharing his thoughts on the match with Djokovic.

The pair have played once before at a Grand Slam, in the first round of the US Open two years ago.

Unsurprisingly, it was Djokovic who got the win, defeating Muller in straight sets 6-0, 6-2, 6-3.

Muller will no doubt hope to be more competitive this time around, when they play at the Frenchman’s most successful Grand Slam.

Winning his opening match on his two previous visits to the All England Club, Muller will be looking to improve his record with a win over Djokovic.

Grand Slam Best performance Latest performance Win/Loss record Win % Australian Open 2R – 2021 1R – 2025 1-3 25% French Open 2R – 2024 2R – 2024 1-5 17% Wimbledon 2R – 2023, 2024 2R – 2024 2-2 50% US Open 2R – 2024 2R – 2024 1-2 33% Alexandre Muller’s record at Grand Slam tournaments

A win against Djokovic would be his third over a top-ten player, having already secured wins over Andrey Rublev (2024) and Alexander Zverev (2025).

Playing the best tennis of his career in 2025, Muller has risen to 40th in the world rankings, and has the potential to cause Djokovic some problems on grass.

Djokovic, likely eyeing an appearance in his seventh consecutive Wimbledon final, hasn’t been given the worst of draws, although there is a possibility he would need to beat three top-four players back-to-back-to-back if he wants to win the title.

Novak Djokovic’s projected path to the Wimbledon final

He won’t want to get too far ahead of himself, however, and will first focus on his first-round match with Muller.

The 2025 Wimbledon tournament is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 30.

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