For the first time since Steffi Graf
Defending champion fails in the first round at Wimbledon
02.07.2024, 17:35
The rain at Wimbledon doesn’t throw Laura Siegemund off course. In the second round she will face one of the favorites. Meanwhile, defending champion Marketa Vondrousova has been eliminated. She had previously struggled with physical problems, but cites other reasons for her failure.
The Wimbledon tournament has only just begun – and the defending champion is already out: Marketa Vondrousova has to pack her bags after a surprising first-round defeat against the Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The 25-year-old Czech, who was unable to compete in the preparation tournament in Bad Homburg due to a hip injury, lost 4:6, 2:6 and was unable to repeat her brilliant performances from the previous year.
The world number six did not cite physical problems as the main reason for her elimination. “I think I was perhaps a little slower. I was nervous from the start, a little scared,” said Vondrousova, her voice faltering. “But she also played a very good match and didn’t give me many points.” Her defeat has historic dimensions: the last time Steffi Graf was eliminated in the first round of Wimbledon was in 1994 as defending champion. The German icon lost 5:7, 6:7 (5:7) to the American Lori McNeil.
In the present, the circle of favorites continues to shrink. Even before the opening match, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka had to cancel her participation due to a shoulder injury. Among those highly rated in London are Jelena Rybakina, the 2022 title holder and Laura Siegemund’s second-round opponent, and Iga Swiatek. The Pole recently celebrated her fifth Grand Slam victory at the French Open.
Tarpaulins cover the outdoor areas
Siegemund had improved the German starting balance with her first-round victory. The 36-year-old impressed with her 6:4, 6:1 win against Kateryna Baindl from Ukraine and was not deterred by rain breaks. After Tamara Korpatsch and Eva Lys were eliminated on Monday, Siegemund was the first German participant in the women’s competition to advance to the second round.
Siegemund, who started in a long-sleeved shirt in the cold, completed her opening task with ease. The referee stopped the match in the first set. It was dripping on the grass. The court had become damp and Siegemund had just slipped during a volley. The Metzinger protected herself with a towel over her shoulders and discussed things with her coach and life partner Antonio Zucca. Later, she had a little luck on her side at the set point when her net roller was out of reach.
Then the drizzle increased. Helpers took down the nets and pulled tarpaulins over the courts: the first rain interruption of this year’s tournament, typical for Wimbledon, occurred on the outdoor courts. Siegemund had to wait more than an hour – and then she was in a hurry. The Swabian said goodbye with a smile when she had used the second match point.