Role Models Making a Racket: Five Winning Moments from Women at Wimbledon
From the perfectly manicured lawns to the famous gates and crippling heat, all reports from Wimbledon 2026 said this was a tournament for the ages. And whether you attended in person, program and Pimm's in hand, or whether you stood on your couch in sweats breathlessly awaiting match point, time-honored traditions of the game carried forward.
Veterans returned and new champions arrived.
Coaches were celebrated and youth clinics inspired.
Role models made a racket, mentors gave us mantras and interviews brought tears to our eyes.
With our heads swiveling back and forth and eyes glued to the game, here are five favorite moments Être girls loved from Wimbledon 2026:
Veterans & Champions - Serena Williams's wildcard return to Wimbledon had us on the edge of our seats, and while she ultimately lost to Maya Joint and withdrew due to a knee injury from her anticipated doubles match with sister Venus, the love for this veteran was felt throughout the tournament. At the same time, number 9 seed Linda Nosková swept her sets and won the day at age 21, marking the first time two women from the same country faced each other the Wimbledon singles final since Serena and Venus Williams in 2009.
Coaches & Clinics - The number of women in the coaching box this year was another cause for celebration, with women making up 19% of registered coaches on the WTA Tour this year versus only 6% in 2017. At Wimbledon this year four players in the top 50 singles had women as their primary coaches, and the advent of WTA clinics like Come Play are inspiring more girls to step onto the court at early ages, mentored by coaches that look like them.
Role Model Moves - Serena inviting rising star Marta Kostyuk to be her morning training partner, Alexandra Eala's breathtaking horizontal dive, and wedding dress and ballerina-inspired fits...just to name a few.
Mentor Mantras - From Alexandra Eala's quote about young girls watching her play ("I don't want them to look at me and say 'I want to be the next Alex Eala.' I want them to look at me and say 'Wow, I want to be the first me.'") to Linda Nosková's acknowledgement of tennis role models she watched growing up (think Martina Navratilova, Petra Kvitová and Barbora Krejčíková), mentor moments abounded throughout the two weeks.
Interviews with Inspo - When Karolina Muchova thanked her fans, her "ex-friend Linda" and all who changed their plans to join her in London in her finalist speech, we laughed as we teared up. And when Linda Noskova thanked her late mother after winning the women's singles title, sniffles were clearly audible before the applause began and an audience roared as they sobbed.
Andreeva, Kostyuk, Kalinskaya and McNally via BBC News
Are we still crying? Maybe. But we're all cheering.
Because in a timeless game that might otherwise feel staid, a freshness blew through Wimbledon this year engaging next gen viewers in brand new ways.
Yes, they now have to wait a full year to see those famous trophies held up again with joy, but will they think about the role models and mentor moments they just witnessed? Also yes.
Looking forward to Wimbledon 2027 with court-approved clapping,
Illana
ÊXTRAS: Three more Wimbledon memories you won't want to miss: the official highlights and wrap-ups, the full list of players with stats, and a catalog of interviews to watch and rewatch.
