Wimbledon 2024: Defending champion Marketa Vondrousova registers unwanted record after first-round exit

NEW DELHI: Defending Wimbledon women's champion Marketa Vondrousova was eliminated in the first round by Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, marking the first time in 30 years that a defending champion has exited so early.
Vondrousova's reign as the Wimbledon women's champion came to an abrupt end on Tuesday when she suffered a straight-sets defeat against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain in the first round.
The Czech sixth seed, who had created history by winning the title as an unseeded player last year, was bundled out with a 6-4, 6-2 scoreline.
While Vondrousova's early exit was a major disappointment, another high-profile casualty was Andy Murray, the two-time Wimbledon champion.
The British tennis icon was forced to withdraw from the singles event due to an injury setback, denying him the opportunity to bid farewell to his beloved Centre Court. Murray, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, admitted defeat in his race against time to recover from surgery to remove a spinal cyst.

However, he may still have the chance to write the final chapter of his illustrious Wimbledon career by participating in the doubles event alongside his brother Jamie later this week.
In contrast to Murray's struggles, Novak Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, made an impressive start to his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Despite undergoing knee surgery after withdrawing from the French Open, the Serbian star looked sharp and dominant as he cruised past Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
Iga Swiatek, the women's top seed and a five-time Grand Slam champion, also advanced to the second round, albeit with some challenges. The Polish star overcame a tough test from former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin, prevailing 6-3, 6-4 under the Court One roof. Swiatek acknowledged feeling "a little bit rusty" but expressed satisfaction with her progress to the next round.
In other notable results, Russian Andrey Rublev became the highest men's seed to depart, suffering a surprising defeat to Francisco Comesana of Argentina in the latter's Grand Slam debut. Meanwhile, French Open runner-up Alexander Zverev and Polish seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz advanced comfortably, as did Elena Rybakina, the women's champion in 2022, and American fifth seed Jessica Pegula.