Coco Gauff’s Wimbledon dreams were cut short on Tuesday, as the reigning French Open champion was stunned in the first round by Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, capping a dramatic day of upsets at the All England Club.
The American second seed fell 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 in just over 90 minutes, suffering her earliest Grand Slam exit since her first-round loss at Wimbledon in 2023. The 21-year-old admitted she was mentally unprepared after her triumph in Paris.
“I was a little overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards,” said Gauff. “It’s the first time I’ve had to deal with winning a Slam and quickly refocusing.”
Other top seeds also tumbled, including third seed Jessica Pegula, who lost 6-2, 6-3 to Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto, and fifth seed Zheng Qinwen, ousted in three sets by Katerina Siniakova. In the men’s draw, third seed Alexander Zverev was upset by Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in five sets. A visibly shaken Zverev admitted to mental struggles and hinted at seeking therapy.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic, on his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title, endured a rollercoaster evening on Centre Court. The seven-time Wimbledon champion dropped a set but recovered to beat France’s Alexandre Muller 6-1, 6-7 (7/9), 6-2, 6-2.
“I went from feeling my absolute best to my absolute worst within a set,” Djokovic revealed, crediting doctors’ “miracle pills” for his recovery.
On the women’s side, defending champion Barbora Krejcikova battled past the Philippines’ Alexandra Eala 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 after a difficult injury-plagued year. “I didn’t know how my career was going to go,” said an emotional Krejcikova, playing just her seventh match of 2025.
Elsewhere, world number one Jannik Sinner made light work of fellow Italian Luca Nardi, winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-0, while Iga Swiatek cruised past Russia’s Polina Kudermetova 7-5, 6-1.
In an emotional farewell, two-time champion Petra Kvitova bowed out in straight sets to US 10th seed Emma Navarro.
Men’s fourth seed Jack Draper and fifth seed Taylor Fritz also advanced, as Wimbledon’s early rounds continue to deliver surprises and drama.
Written By Rodney Mbua
