Wimbledon 2024: Defending champion Marketa Vondrousova falls to shock first-round exit

Marketa Vondrousova's first defence of her Wimbledon title ended at the first hurdle when she was beaten in straight sets by Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Tuesday.

The Czech sixth seed was a shock winner at the All England Club last year when she became the first unseeded woman to claim the trophy at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.

But Vondrousova – who arrived in London as a fitness doubt after injuring her right hip in a fall at the Berlin tournament last month – was thrashed 6-4, 6-2 by world No 83 Bouzas Maneiro on her return toCentre Court.

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

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

“This is one of the most important moments in my life and career,” said Bouzas Maneiro. “She is one of the best players in the world so there was no pressure for me. I could just enjoy the moment and play freely.”

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

There were no such problems for fourth seed and 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, with the Kazakh easing past Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-1 on Court One. Fifth-seeded American Jessica Pegula is also through after demolishing countrywoman Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-0 on Court Two.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray's hopes of being fit for singles action at this year's tournament are over after the two-time champion failed to recover in time from back surgery.

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