Marketa Vondrousova Upset in Wimbledon Opener; Andy Murray Withdraws from Singles, Will Compete in Doubles with Brother

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic reacts as she plays against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain in her Ladies’ Singles first round match during day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 02, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

(July 2, 2024) For the first time since 1994, the defending Ladies’ champion lost in the first round of Wimbledon. No. 6 seed Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic lost to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 on Centre Court on Tuesday at Wimbledon.

The Spaniard had never won a main draw match on a grass court before the shocking upset.

“This is one of the most important moments in my life, in my career, here in this sport. This is amazing,” said No. 83 in the world, a 21-year-old in her on-court interview.

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“I was like, ‘I have no pressure. Just enjoy the moment, enjoy the tournament.’ Just trying to be free playing, and I did it, so I’m happy for that,” she said.

“I was happy to be back on the Centre Court,” Vondrousova said despite the loss. “It just didn’t go as planned today.”

“I was a bit slower, maybe. I was a bit scared,” Vondrousova said. “But credit to her. She was playing a good match, too. I didn’t feel at my best, (but) she didn’t gave me many points for free.”

“My serve wasn’t so good today,” Vondrousova said. “Overall, I think, I wasn’t at my best.”

Before play began on Tuesday, Andy Murray withdrew from the singles tournament. He will play the doubles event with his brother Jaimie. The two-time Wimbledon winner is making his final Wimbledon appearance before he retires.

Novak Djokovic put to rest questions about his fitness after surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee almost a month ago when he dismissed qualifier Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round. The 37-year-old 24-time major winner wore a sleeve on hi his right knee during the match.

“Obviously started a little bit more cautious, I would say. I didn’t really maybe go for certain shots 100% … (in) the first set,” said Djokovic, “I played, I think, just enough to win confidently in straight sets. I felt like as the match progressed, I moved better.”