Jasmine Paolini opens Eastbourne 2026 on Centre Court against Tatjana Maria on Tuesday 23 June. The top seed starts a day that also puts Madison Keys into the same main-court schedule, with Britain’s presence spread across the card.
Paolini arrives as World No.14, while Maria brings a notable recent reference point after winning Queen's in 2025. The order places the women’s field front and centre early, with Paolini and Keys leading the day’s highest-profile names.
Centre Court opens with Paolini
Paolini is first on Centre Court, so her match anchors the day rather than sitting in the middle of it. That makes the opening slot the cleanest route for anyone planning around the broadcast or tracking the first notable result at Eastbourne 2026.
Maria is the immediate test. Her Queen's title in 2025 gives the matchup a sharper edge than a routine seed-versus-opponent opener, and it comes before the rest of the day’s Centre Court line-up has a chance to settle.
Keys and the British group
Keys follows Paolini against Talia Gibson, keeping the same court focused on the top end of the women’s draw. Paolini and Keys are the two seeds driving the headline value on Tuesday, and that gives the opening day a stronger competitive edge than a simple exhibition of names.
Britain’s side of the schedule is more crowded away from that top-seed lane. Jacob Fearnley, Harriet Dart and Arthur Fery are all due in action, and Fery arrives fresh off his impressive performance at Queen's.
coverage and timing
Fans in the UK can watch Eastbourne 2026 live on platforms, with coverage on red button, iPlayer and the Sport website. On weekdays, coverage starts at 11am, which gives viewers a fixed starting point before the Centre Court order begins to unfold.
That broadcast setup fits the shape of the week: Eastbourne sits among the final stops before Wimbledon, and the tournament is being used as a lead-in rather than a warm-up in name only. Taylor Fritz is back as defending champion and is chasing a fifth title, while the women’s side opens with Paolini at the front and Keys not far behind.
For the reader, the practical move is simple: line up for the 11am start if you want the first wave, then stay with Centre Court for Keys after Paolini. The opening match gives the day its sharpest early checkpoint, and it starts with Jasmine Paolini.
