Defending champion Marketa Vondrousova admits nerves played a role in her surprise 6-4, 6-2, loss to Spanish world No.83 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Returning to Center Court 12 months after she stunned Ons Jabeur in straight sets to claim the title, the error-stricken Czech was out of sorts against Manerio. Somebody who is a tricky opponent but hadn’t beaten a top 10 player on the Tour or won a main draw match at a Grand Slam before today. Vondrousova has now failed to win a match in two out of her three most recent appearances at major tournaments with the only exception being her run to the quarter-finals of the French Open.
“It was a tough match. I think she played a great match. I wasn’t at my best.” She said of her latest performance.
It is the third time this year that Vondrousova has lost to somebody ranked outside the top 50 after Dayana Yastremska and Anhelina Kalinina. Coming into the event, she told reporters to expect ‘many surprises on the grass.’ Her preparation for Wimbledon was far from ideal after she suffered a nasty slip whilst playing in Berlin that forced her to withdraw from her match.
“I think practice was fine but today I was a bit scared because of my leg, too. I don’t think this was the reason (for her loss).” She said.
“It’s a tough feeling to go back (to Wimbledon as the defending champion).
“I feel like everybody just expects you to win. I was happy to be back on the Centre Court. It just didn’t go as planned today.”
The last woman to defend their title at SW19 was Serena Williams in 2016. Since then, there have been plenty of upsets in the women’s draw with the past seven editions being won by seven different players. A situation that some blame on the grass and the limited amount of time players have to play on the surface compared to others.
However, Vondrousova believes her biggest issue was nerves.
“I was really nervous since the start. I couldn’t shake it off. I’m going to be back stronger, I hope.” She concluded.
Vondrousova’s rapid exit from Wimbledon makes her the first women’s Wimbledon champion to lose in the first round the following year since Steffi Graf in 1994. She will leave the top 10 following the conclusion of this tournament.
There are now two former Wimbledon champions left in the 2024 draw on the women’s side. Elena Rybakina won her first round match earlier today against Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Meanwhile, Angelique Kerber is yet to play.
