Wimbledon Unexpected exits

Nearly a week since the 2024 Wimbledon Open started, tennis fans across the globe have been treated by the mouthwatering clashes and some of the shocking results they never expected. And some big-name players expected to go far in the tournament have already been knocked out. Let’s look at some of the prominent players already sent packing.

Marketa Vondrousova 

Following an emphatic display last year where Marketa Vondrousova defied the odds to claim her maiden Grand Slam winning the Wimbledon Open against Ons Jabeur. There were talks before the tournament about whether she would manage to repeat the heroic achievement, but it wasn’t meant to be. Facing off unseeded Jessica Maneiro, Vondrousova was expected not to find it hard to claim a victory in the first round, but she was humbled in a straight set 6-2, 6-4. Maneiro was claiming her first Grand Slam main draw victory. 

Naomi Osaka 

It hasn’t been a great comeback for Naomi Osaka, who returned to the tennis court this year after taking more than a year dealing with mental illness and raising a child. The four-time Grand Slam winner suffered a second-round defeat to Emma Navarro. Navarro needed less than an hour to dispatch former world no 3 6-4, 6-1. Now ranked no 113 in the world, Osaka hasn’t gone past the Wimbledon third round in her career. She is not a grass court player with her all-Grand Slam coming off hard court. The 26-year-old Japanese will now turn their focus to the US Open later in the year where she enjoyed much of the success in her career. 

Casper Ruud 

The terrible Wimbledon Open record continues for Casper Ruud. The World no 8 hasn’t gone past the second round of the competition in his career. The 25-year-old Norwegian suffered another defeat to Italian Fabio Fognini, in 6-4, 7-5, 6-7, 6-3. The three-time Grand Slam finalist will have to wait for another year to try to fancy his chances on Grass. Besides, he has been in incredible form reaching the French Open semi-finals this year. 

Jessica Pegula

Following showing great form on Grass court this season, Jessica Pegula was among the contenders to go far in the Wimbledon Open after reaching the Quarter-finals last year. The 5th seed was put in a titanic battle by Chinese Wang Xinyu. The World No. 42 Xinyu put out a spirited performance taking a match in three sets in 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 in what was the best match of her career.