Fourth seed Ben Shelton suffered one of the biggest upsets of Wimbledon 2026 after crashing out in the opening round with a heartbreaking five-set defeat to Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen. The American, who entered the tournament as one of the favourites following an impressive grass-court season, was beaten 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(2), 2-6, 7-6(10-8) in a gripping contest that lasted more than four hours. Shelton looked on course to avoid an early exit after forcing the match into a deciding super tie-break. The 23-year-old even held a commanding 8-5 lead and earned a match point, but Virtanen produced a remarkable comeback under pressure, winning the final five points to complete one of the biggest victories of his career. The defeat marks a disappointing end to Shelton's Wimbledon campaign after arriving in London in fine form.

Earlier this month, he captured his maiden ATP grass-court title in Stuttgart and was widely tipped to make a deep run at the All England Club.Instead, he became one of the highest-profile casualties of the opening round. For Virtanen, the victory is a career-defining moment. The Finnish qualifier displayed composure throughout the marathon encounter, relying on his powerful serve and fearless shot-making to trouble the fourth seed. Saving a match point before sealing the win highlighted his resilience and belief on one of tennis' biggest stages. The stunning result has shaken up the men's singles draw, with Shelton's exit opening the door for other contenders in the bottom half of the

tournament as Wimbledon continues to produce early-round surprises.

Wimbledon pays tribute to line judges as electronic line-calling era begins

Wimbledon ushered in a new era in 2026 by replacing traditional line judges with an electronic line-calling system across all courts. While the technology promises greater accuracy and consistency in officiating, tournament organisers took time to honour the men and women who served as line judges for decades, recognising their invaluable contribution to the Championships.

Before the start of this year's tournament, the All England Club organised a special tribute to mark the end of an era. Former line judges were invited back to Wimbledon and acknowledged for their years of dedication, professionalism and commitment. Many had officiated at the Championships for several decades, becoming an iconic part of Wimbledon's traditions with their distinctive uniforms and famous "Out!" calls.

Tournament organisers emphasised that the move to electronic line calling was made to improve accuracy and align Wimbledon with the other three Grand Slam tournaments, all of which now use automated systems.

The technology is designed to eliminate human error while ensuring quicker and more consistent decisions throughout matches.Despite the transition, many players, officials and fans expressed appreciation for the contribution of line judges to the history of the sport. Several current and former players noted that their presence added character and tradition to Centre Court and the outside courts alike.

While artificial intelligence and advanced technology now oversee line calls, Wimbledon made it clear that the legacy of its line judges will remain an important part of the tournament's rich history. The tribute served as a fitting farewell to one of tennis' most recognisable roles, celebrating generations of officials who helped uphold the standards and prestige of the world's oldest Grand Slam.