Defending champion Marketa Vondrousova loses in first round

Marketa Vondrousova’s first Wimbledon title defence ended at the first hurdle as she was beaten in three sets by Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic claimed an easy victory just 27 days after knee surgery, but Andy Murray was forced to withdraw from the singles tournament following his recent back surgery.

Sixth-seeded Vondrousova of the Czech Republic caused a surprise by becoming the first unseeded woman to lift the trophy at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament at the All England Club last year.

But Vondrousova, who arrived in London with fitness doubts after injuring her right hip in a fall at the Berlin tournament last month, was beaten 6-4, 6-2 by world number 83 Bouzas Maneiro on her return to London. Center court.

German legend Steffi Graf was the last defending champion to lose in the first round, when she was beaten by Lori McNeil in 1994.

Until Tuesday, the Spaniard had never beaten a top-40 player, while her only other match on grass this year was a first-round loss at a low-key event in Italy.

“It’s one of the most important moments of my life and my career,” Bouzas Maneiro said. “She’s one of the best players in the world, so I had no pressure. I was able to enjoy the moment and play freely.”

The 21-year-old added: “I’m really surprised with myself, honestly. At the beginning I was a bit nervous, but after the first game the atmosphere was really nice and I felt good here, like at home.”

Fourth seed and 2022 champion Elena Rybakina faced no such problems, with the Kazakh easily dispatching Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-1 on Court 1. Fifth seed Jessica Pegula of the United States also advanced after demolishing compatriot Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-0 on Court 2.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray’s hopes of being fit for this year’s singles tournament have been dashed after the two-time champion failed to recover in time from back surgery.

The 37-year-old was eager to make one last singles appearance on his beloved Centre Court but admitted defeat ahead of his first-round match against Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic.

Murray, who won the title in 2013 and 2016, Murray underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his spine last month after being forced to leave Queen’s, a procedure he described as “not insignificant”. The cyst was compressing his nerves, causing him to lose control and power in his right leg.

Despite this latest setback in a career ravaged by injuries in recent years, the three-time Grand Slam winner – who also won the 2012 US Open – was determined to give himself as much chance as possible of enjoying a singles farewell at SW19.

But Murray didn’t get to do that, even though the former world number one will still play doubles with his brother Jamie in what is bound to be an emotional farewell in front of his adoring British fans. He was replaced in the draw by Belgian David Goffin, a lucky loser in qualifying.

“It’s probably a few days too early. But I’ve worked extremely hard to at least give myself a chance to play. It was the right decision,” Murray said Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s extremely disappointing not to have been able to play but, at the same time, where I am 10 days after the operation compared to where I was told I would be and my expectations, it’s really incredible.

“I obviously practiced with my brother today and I’m looking forward to playing doubles.”

Murray, who ended a 77-year wait for a British men’s singles champion at the London Grand Slam, has a record of 61 wins and 13 losses at Wimbledon, which puts him ninth on the all-time list, between Rafael Nadal and Jimmy Connors.

He has said this year will be his last on the court and that he may well retire at this summer’s Olympics. The tennis competition in Paris begins on July 27.

In Tuesday’s men’s draw, Djokovic proved once again that he should never be written off after claiming victory on Centre Court just 27 days after knee surgery.

The 37-year-old’s chances of playing at Wimbledon looked almost impossible when he underwent surgery in Paris last month for a torn meniscus.

But a trouble-free first round (6-1, 6-2, 6-2) against Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva demonstrated to doubters that not only is Djokovic in good shape, but he is also determined to fight for at least an eighth title at the All England Club.

Djokovic then said: “I’m very happy with how I felt on the court. Obviously this year the circumstances were different because of my knee and I didn’t know how everything was going to go on the court. I’m extremely happy with how I felt and how I played.”

“I tried to focus on the game and not think too much about my knee. I did everything I could in the last three and a half weeks. If it had been any other tournament I probably wouldn’t have taken the risk, but I love Wimbledon.”

Seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland came from a set down to beat Moldovan Radu Albot 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

Updated: July 2, 2024, 6:02 p.m.