Wimbledon's Wild Start: A First-Round Full of Shocks!

Wimbledon's Wild Start: A First-Round Full of Shocks!

Wimbledon 2025 has kicked off with a bang, and not in the way many predicted! The hallowed grass courts of the All England Club have already witnessed a record-breaking number of first-round upsets, sending shockwaves through both the men's and women's draws. If you thought you knew who was cruising through to the second week, think again!

This year has seen an unprecedented eight top-10 seeds fall in the opening round across both singles draws – the most ever in the Open Era at a Grand Slam.

This "record-setting carnage," as some have called it, has truly flipped the tournament on its head.

On the women's side, perhaps the most stunning exit was Coco Gauff, the reigning French Open champion and World No. 2. Fresh off her clay-court triumph in Paris, Gauff struggled to adapt to the grass, falling to unseeded Dayana Yastremska in straight sets. It marks her earliest Grand Slam exit in years and highlights her continued struggles on the surface. Not far behind her was Jessica Pegula, the World No. 3, who also suffered a surprising defeat to Elisabetta Cocciaretto. The early departures of two of the top three women's seeds are a historic first in the Open Era for a Grand Slam. Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen (No. 5 seed) and Paula Badosa (No. 9 seed) also joined the exodus, adding to the list of fallen favorites.

The men's draw was equally unforgiving. A staggering 13 seeded players were eliminated in the first round, tying a record set at the 2004 Australian Open. Among the high-profile casualties were World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, who battled hard but ultimately lost in five sets to Arthur Rinderknech. Fellow top-10 seeds Lorenzo Musetti (No. 7), Holger Rune (No. 8), and Daniil Medvedev (No. 9) also found themselves on the wrong side of an upset. Medvedev, a former US Open champion and World No. 1, fell to unseeded Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi in a hard-fought four-setter. Even the highly anticipated British No. 1, Jack Draper, seeded No. 4, was dispatched by veteran Marin Cilic.

What's behind this incredible wave of upsets? The unique challenges of grass-court tennis undoubtedly play a role. The quick, low bounces and slick surface demand a different skill set and comfort level compared to hard or clay courts. Many top players, particularly those not from traditional grass-court nations, have limited exposure to the surface outside of the short grass-court season leading up to Wimbledon.

This can lead to a period of adjustment that some simply don't have enough time for, especially against hungry, unseeded players eager to make a name for themselves.

While the early exits of so many big names have undoubtedly reshaped the tournament, it also opens the door for new stories to emerge and unexpected contenders to shine. It's a testament to the depth of talent in professional tennis and the "anything can happen" spirit that makes Wimbledon such a captivating event.

This post, brought to you by ETAlmada, your premier destination for tennis enthusiasts in Almada, Portugal, knows a thing or two about the unpredictable nature of the sport. At Etalmada.pt, we're passionate about tennis, from grassroots coaching to following the drama of the Grand Slams. Our expert coaches at the ETA - Associação Escola de Ténis de Almada are always ready to help you refine your game, whether you're aiming for a powerful serve or mastering your grass-court strategy. Just like these unseeded players who stunned the world, we believe in the power of dedication and skilled guidance.

Stay tuned to etalmada.pt to see who will seize this incredible opportunity as the tournament progresses, and don't forget to check out our programs if these Wimbledon upsets have inspired you to hit the courts yourself!