This last happened in 1994

Wimbledon: Defending champion out in first round

(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Defending champion Marketa Vondrousova has already bowed out in the first round of the Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon. The Czech lost surprisingly clearly to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro from Spain 4:6, 2:6 on Tuesday. 

Steffi Graf was the last defending champion 30 years ago and had already lost her opening match.

Vondrousova had won the traditional grass court tournament last year as an unseeded player. This year, her preparation was hampered by a hip injury and she had to retire in Berlin. Bouzas Maneiro, who is ranked 83rd in the world, was able to keep the ball in play against her error-prone opponent. The 21-year-old claimed her first ever victory at a Grand Slam event.

With Vondrousova's elimination, Wimbledon is over for another co-favorite. Earlier, Belarusian Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka had to give up her title hopes. She withdrew at short notice due to a shoulder injury.

MEN - 1st round:

Novak Djokovic (SRB-2) - Vit Kopriva (CZE) 6:1,6:2,6:2

Alexander Zverev (GER-4) - Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6:2,6:4,6:2

Francisco Comesana (ARG) - Andrej Rublev (RUS-6) 6:4,5:7,6:2,7:6(5)

Hubert Hurkacz (POL-7) - Radu Albot (MDA) 5:7,6:4,6:3,6:4

Alex de Minaur (AUS-9) - James Duckworth (AUS) 7:6(1),7:6(3),7:6(4)

Ben Shelton (USA/14) - Mattia Bellucci (ITA) 4:6,6:3,3:6,6:3,6:4

WOMEN - 1st round:

Iga Swiatek (POL-1) - Sofia Kenin (USA) 6:3,6:4

Yelena Rybakina (KAZ-4) - Elena Ruse (ROU) 6:3,6:1

Jessica Pegula (USA-5) - Ashlyn Krueger (USA) 6:2,6:0

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (ESP) - Marketa Vondrousova (CZE-6) 6:4,6:2