Record 10 British players knocked out on first day of Wimbledon

Ten British players were knocked out on the first day of Wimbledon - the highest number of losses for the home nation since records began in 2000.

Among those to exit was Cameron Norrie, who lost his first round match to world number 144, Michael Zheng.

Any hopes of any singles success this year looked set to rest solely on Norrie's shoulders - but the 30-year-old crashed after a four-hour marathon on Court Two.

The British men's number one was defeated in a fifth-set tiebreak to Zheng, losing 6-7 (7) 6-2 6-7 (2) 6-3 7-6 (10/4).

He had arrived at Wimbledon on a five-match losing streak and without a win on grass in 2026.

Zheng said after the match: "Thank you so much to the crowd, it was an unbelievable atmosphere and an honour to be part of a match like this.

"It's what every kid dreams of, and against such an accomplished player."

"It was not easy. I was trying my best not to show it," Zheng continued. "Wimbledon is far and away the best tournament. Hopefully I can keep the run going."

British stars tally up worst day since daily records began

Norrie's loss was one of many for British hopefuls. All 10 home players who completed their matches on Monday were beaten - resulting in the worst tally of losses for the home nation since daily records began in 2000.

It could have been even worse but Jack Pinnington Jones was spared at two sets down as bad light saw the rest of his match against Brandon Nakashima postponed until Tuesday.

There is a possibility that the record of 16 first-round defeats could be exceeded when the remaining players take to the court on Tuesday.

The losses came after British number two Jack Draper forced to pull out of Wimbledon at the eleventh hour due to injury.

Draper, who had been due to play his first match of the tournament on Tuesday, said in a statement issued on Monday that he was "devastated" at being unable to compete.

British women's number one Emma Raducanu withdrew on the eve of the tournament due to a stress fracture.

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Raducanu said she had "done everything possible to try to get to the start line tomorrow, but after a final scan tonight, the niggle I've been managing has developed into a stress fracture".

"I've been medically advised to stop pushing through," she continued. "Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process."

(c) Sky News 2026: Record 10 British players knocked out on first day of Wimbledon