Holder Vondrousova falls at first hurdle at Wimbledon

Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova looks pained as she slides to a first round defeat. (AP PHOTO)

Twelve months after becoming the first unseeded woman to be Wimbledon singles champion Marketa Vondrousova has made history again, but not to her liking.

The Czech has become the first defending women's champion to be beaten in the opening round this century, and only the second since the Open era began in 1968.

Vondrousova, who was seeded sixth this year, was beaten 6-4 6-2 by Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro can barely believe she has beaten the Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.

Vondrousova's predecessor as champion, Elena Rybakina, cruised past Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3 6-1.

There were no problems either for top seed Iga Swiatek, who began her quest for a maiden Wimbledon crown with a 6-3 6-4 victory over American former world No.4 Sofia Kenin.

Iga Swiatek
World No.1 Iga Swiatek made a winning start to her fifth Wimbledon campaign, beating Sofia Kenin.

While they look forward, a disconsolate Vondrousova looked back.

"It's tough to go out defending the title," she said. "I was really nervous from the morning and everything. She was also playing a good match. That was kind of tough, too.

"It's tough feelings also to go back, I feel like everybody just expects you to win maybe. I was happy to be back on the Centre Court. It just didn't go as planned."

The last champion beaten at the first hurdle was Steffi Graf, who lost to Lori McNeil in 1994.    

Bouzas Maneiro is 83rd in the world, a career-high ranking.

"This is one of the most important moments of my life, in my career here on this court, this is amazing," she said.

"The atmosphere here, the tournament is the most beautiful tournament I ever played in my life." 

The 21-year-old Spaniard, added: "I had no pressure, enjoy the moment, enjoy the tournament and just trying to be free-playing and I did it."

World No.1 Swiatek has yet to shine on grass, having never reached a final on the surface, but any hopes of slowly finding her feet were dashed after the draw pitted her against the player who toppled Coco Gauff in the 2023 opening round.

But after an uncertain start in which both players dropped serve, the Pole settled to secure her 20th consecutive win.

Ons Jabeur blasted her way into the second round with a 55-minute, 6-3 6-1 demolition of Japan's Moyuka Uchijima. The Tunisian 10th seed, runner-up for the last two years, next meets American Robin Montgomery.

Caroline Wozniacki claimed a 6-2 6-0 win over Alycia Parks in the former world No.1 's return to Wimbledon after four years.

There was also an easy win for fifth seed Jessica Pegula, who beat fellow American Ashlyn Krueger 6-2 6-0.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store