Wimbledon’s second round is still part of the main singles knockout draw: 64 players remain, and it’s played as 32 matches. The winners advance to the third round, while the men’s singles are best-of-five sets and the women’s singles are best-of-three.

Simple format

  • First round: 128 players, 64 matches.
  • Second round: 64 players, 32 matches.
  • Third round: 32 players, 16 matches.

What it means

In practical terms, the second round is where the field starts thinning fast, and seeded players are often still alive if they won their opener. A player must win this match to reach the third round, which is the next step before the Round of 16.

Schedule note

For Wimbledon 2026, the official schedule shows the Championships run from Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July, with the early rounds spread across the first few days of the event.