Marketa Vondrousova’s Wimbledon title defence was cut short when Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain unexpectedly defeated her in the first round.
The Czech Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur in the previous year’s final to become the first player to win the women’s singles trophy without a ranking. However, Vondrousova’s performance in this year’s competition was poor with numerous unintentional mistakes and double faults.
Bouzas Maneiro, ranked 83rd in the world, used the reigning champion’s poor form to her advantage to win 6-4, 6-2 and earn her maiden Grand Slam triumph. She declared: “I am really happy. I think this is one of the most important moments in my life, in my career…This is the most beautiful tournament I have played in my life, so thank you to everyone who came to watch the match today.”
Due to Vondrousova’s early departure, the women’s singles title will change for the seventh time in a row. Additionally, she is the first defending champion to fall in the opening round in thirty years.
Vondrousova and her injury scare
After an unfortunate incident that resulted in an early retirement due to hip pain after her Berlin Open second-round match, Vondrousova entered the competition with doubts about her health. Moving with difficulty, the sixth seed seemed to be experiencing the aftereffects of the injury.
In addition, Vondrousova admitted that because of her recent injury, she “felt nervous from the start” and “was a bit scared”.
Vondrousova’s physical issues were utilized by Bouzas Maneiro, who broke early in the first and second sets before hitting a stunning backhand winner down the line on her first match point.
Bouzas Maneiro said: “I was just trying to enjoy the moment… She is one of the best players in the world here, she won last year so I was like, I have no pressure, enjoy the moment, enjoy the tournament.”
“Credit to her. She was playing a good match, too. I didn’t feel at my best. I think she didn’t gave me many points for free,” she added.
Bouzas Maneiro will compete against Cristina Bucsa, her compatriot, in the second round of competition.
Source: BBC