By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday July 2, 2024
Marketa Vondrousova's Wimbledon title defense lasted only 67 minutes as she was stunned out on Centre Court on Day 2.
Photo Source: TTV
For the first time in 30 years, the defending Wimbledon women’s singles champion has been knocked out in the first round.
World No.83 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain toppled 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova on Centre Court, 6-4, 6-2, making the Czech the first woman to lose in the first round of her Wimbledon title defense since Steffi Graf in 1994.
American Lori McNeil, a hard-charging serve-and-volleyer, took out Graf in '94 in what is considered to be one of the greatest upsets in Wimbledon history.
Being mentioned alongside Graf makes for great company for No.6-seeded Vondrousova, indeed, but under the worst possible circumstance.
21-year-old Bouzas Maneiro earned her first ever tour-level win on grass and her first main draw win at a major as well, as she controlled the run of play from start to finish, picking on Vondrousova’s erratic forehand to keep an edge in the scoreline.
"It's tough to go out defending the title," a downbeat Vondrousova told reporters after the loss. "I was really nervous from the morning and everything, and she was also playing good tennis, so that's kind of tough, too.
"Now it's liked mixed feelings. I love to be here. I would love to stay longer also."
It wasn't in the cards for the 25-year-old, who suffered a hip injury in Berlin a few weeks ago, and didn't have her full fitness to help her through the contest.
With the crowd backing her for the upset on Centre Court, the Galicia, Spain native confidently cracked a backhand winner down the line to complete her victory in 67 minutes.
“I think this is one of the most important moments in my life and in my career,” elated Maneiro said on court. “I was like: I have no pressure, just enjoy the moment and enjoy the tournament, just trying to play free and I did it, so I’m happy for that.”
Bouzas Maneiro entered Tuesday’s tussle with zero wins at the majors from two main draw appearances, but she played with the poise of a veteran, saving all five break points she faced and cracking 12 winners against just 14 unforced errors (Vondrousova hit 18 winners and 28 unforced).
Did she have any nerves during the encounter?
“I surprised myself actually,” she said. “I was comfortable here playing, like I was at home, I don’t know why – it’s my first time on Centre Court.”
Bouzas Maneiro will face either Ana Bogdan or Cristina Bucsa in the second round.
Vondrousova, who became the lowest-ranked women's singles champion in Wimbledon's Open Era history last year when she defeated Ons Jabeur in the final, drops to 8-5 lifetime at SW19, was unwilling to make excuses for her loss in the press room.
"I played good in Paris. I also felt good in Berlin," she said. "Then I did the injury, so I didn't play for a couple days. Here practice was good. Matches, always different.
"Today I was really nervous since the start. I couldn't maybe shake it off,and also she was playing good. Credits to her. I'm going to be back stronger."
A defending champion has only lost in the first round twice in Open Era history across both men’s and women’s singles draws. Lleyton Hewitt lost in the first round in 2003 after claiming the title in 2002.