Marketa Vondrousova on Tuesday became the first defending women’s Wimbledon champion to lose in the first round in 30 years, as Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek cruised through.
It was a painful day for Czech sixth seed Vondrousova, whose time in the Wimbledon spotlight was cut cruelly short in a chastening 6-4, 6-2 defeat to Spain’s unheralded Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Vondrousova is only the second defending champion to lose in the first round at the All England Club in the Open Era.
Photo: AFP
The only other time it happened was 30 years ago, when Lori McNeil defeated three-time defending champion Steffi Graf.
World No. 83 Bouzas Maneiro, playing in only the third Grand Slam main draw of her career, broke five times in the match under the roof on Centre Court, sealing victory in 66 minutes.
Vondrousova, who said she was wary in her first match since she hurt her hip at last month’s Berlin grass-court tournament, struggled with her serve and racked up 28 unforced errors.
“Practice was fine and everything,” the 25-year-old Czech said. “Today I was a bit scared because of my leg too, but I don’t think that was the reason. I felt nervous from the start.”
“It’s tough to go out defending the title,” she added.
World No. 1 Swiatek had no such troubles, beating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-4.
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 champion, cantered past Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-1 while fifth seed Jessica Pegula lost just two games against US compatriot Ashlyn Krueger.
Djokovic, 37, had a knee operation after pulling out before his French Open quarter-final — sparking fears he would not be fit in time for Wimbledon, where he is chasing a record-equaling eighth men’s title.
Although he wore a support on his right knee, he showed no sign of discomfort in dispatching Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
The Serbian world No. 2, seeks to equal Roger Federer’s Wimbledon title haul and also become the first player — man or woman — to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles.
“I tried to really focus on the game and not think about the knee too much,” Djokovic said. “Everything that I could do, I have done over the last three weeks along with my team to be able to play here for you today. I think if it was for any other tournament I probably would not have risked it, would not have rushed as much but I just love Wimbledon, love coming back here.”
A fuming Andrey Rublev, a quarter-finalist last year, exited in four sets against Argentina’s Francisco Comesana, playing his first Grand Slam match, while fourth seed and French Open runner-up Alexander Zverev progressed in straight sets.
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