Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Venus Williams and Coco Gauff Get Wimbledon Started on Day 1 

Novak Djokovic of Serbia takes part in a practice session ahead of the Wimbledon tennis championships at Wimbledon, in London, Sunday, July 2, 2023. The Wimbledon Tennis championships start on July 3. (AP)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia takes part in a practice session ahead of the Wimbledon tennis championships at Wimbledon, in London, Sunday, July 2, 2023. The Wimbledon Tennis championships start on July 3. (AP)
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Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Venus Williams and Coco Gauff Get Wimbledon Started on Day 1 

Novak Djokovic of Serbia takes part in a practice session ahead of the Wimbledon tennis championships at Wimbledon, in London, Sunday, July 2, 2023. The Wimbledon Tennis championships start on July 3. (AP)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia takes part in a practice session ahead of the Wimbledon tennis championships at Wimbledon, in London, Sunday, July 2, 2023. The Wimbledon Tennis championships start on July 3. (AP)

Wimbledon gets started on Monday with some of the biggest names in tennis in action, including Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Venus Williams and Coco Gauff.

It is the year's third major tournament — and Djokovic won the first two: the Australian Open in January and the French Open in June. That puts him halfway to the first calendar-year Grand Slam in men's tennis since 1969. He came close to the feat in 2021, falling just one victory short when he lost in the final of the US Open.

He seeks a fifth consecutive title at the All England Club and eighth overall, which both would tie records for men.

Djokovic's title at Roland Garros was his 23rd at a Slam event, breaking a tie with Rafael Nadal for the men's mark in that category.

As the reigning men's champion at Wimbledon, Djokovic is scheduled to play the opening match at Centre Court on Day 1, facing Pedro Cachin of Argentina.

They'll be followed in the main stadium by Williams, a 43-year-old participating in the sport's oldest major tournament for the 24th time and taking on Elina Svitolina of Ukraine. Williams — whose younger sister, Serena, retired after last season — won five of her seven Grand Slam singles trophies at Wimbledon.

The No. 1-ranked Swiatek, who owns four major titles but hasn't been past the fourth round at the All England Club, gets things started at No. 1 Court against Zhu Lin of China. Up next in that arena will be three-time Grand Slam runner-up Casper Ruud against Laurent Lokoli, and then Gauff — a 19-year-old American who was a French Open finalist last year — against 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.



Critical Hours Ahead in Lebanon’s Presidential Election

In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
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Critical Hours Ahead in Lebanon’s Presidential Election

In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
In this picture taken on December 16, 2024, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun walks towards the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)

Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun is moving closer to becoming president ahead of a key parliamentary session to elect a new head of state.

Growing support from lawmakers and the withdrawal of Hezbollah-backed candidate Suleiman Franjieh have boosted Aoun’s chances, raising hopes of ending a 26-month presidential deadlock.

Local and international efforts have intensified to secure Aoun’s election. With at least 74 votes in his favor, he is the frontrunner.

However, the total falls short of what’s needed to amend the constitution, which bars senior officials from being elected unless they’ve been out of office for two years.

Electing Aoun as president depends on securing 86 votes to amend the constitution.

This requires support from lawmakers in the Amal Movement, Hezbollah, and their allies (31 votes) or the Free Patriotic Movement, led by Jebran Bassil (13 votes).

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed optimism ahead of the election session, saying: “For the first time since the presidential vacancy, I feel hopeful. God willing, we will have a new president.”

In a post on the X platform on Wednesday, Franjieh, who is the leader of Marada, said: "Now that the conditions are ripe for the election of a president tomorrow, I am withdrawing my candidacy, which has never been an obstacle in the electoral process."

He added that Aoun "enjoys the qualities that would preserve the standing of the country’s top post."

He hoped "the nation would overcome this stage with unity, diligence and responsibility."

Kataeb MP Elias Hankash said Lebanon needs a president who can revive the country, noting that “no foreign powers are dictating our choices, but the qualifications fit one, two, or three candidates, with Army Commander Joseph Aoun as the frontrunner.”

He added that Aoun enjoys broad international support and consensus but stressed that the constitution must not be used as an excuse to delay the election.

Similarly, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, speaking from Dar al-Fatwa, called for a consensual president who can implement Security Council Resolution 1701, boost the economy, and restore the judiciary.

He described Aoun as the best candidate to achieve these goals and pledged to support him in all voting rounds. Makhzoumi also urged Speaker Nabih Berri to cooperate to protect Lebanon and ensure stability.