Zverev's early elimination was one of the biggest upsets of the tournament - Photo: REUTERS
A large number of seeds fell to the ground at Wimbledon.
That's a record number, since Wimbledon adopted the 32-seeded system in 2001.
In the men's singles alone, this year's tournament has seen 13 seeded players eliminated in the first round, equaling the previous record in the Grand Slam system. At the 2004 Australian Open, 13 seeded players were also eliminated in the first round.
But the quality of the players eliminated early at Wimbledon 2025 is even higher. These include the No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev, the No. 7 seed Lorenzo Musetti, the No. 8 seed Holder Rune, and the No. 9 seed Daniil Medvedev.
Similarly, in the women's singles event, 10 seeded players were eliminated early, including 4 who were in the top 4. This list includes Coco Gauff (No. 2), Jessica Pegula (No. 3), Zheng Qinwen (No. 5), and Paula Badosa (No. 9).
They're all records. Wimbledon has never been this tough.
Wimbledon is always tough.
Of the four Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon is consistently considered the most challenging, given the short three-week gap between Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
Obviously, those who go far at Roland Garros will face physical challenges when they enter Wimbledon.
2025 Roland Garros women's singles champion Coco Gauff admitted she only managed to play one exhibition match on grass before Wimbledon. Coco Gauff said she was "mentally overwhelmed" after her French Open victory.
Coco Gauff was helpless due to poor preparation - Photo: REUTERS
With limited rest periods, the vast difference between Roland Garros (clay court) and Wimbledon (grass court) is another significant challenge.
The transition from clay to grass is not just a change in surface, but also has a comprehensive impact on technique and reflexes.
Grass courts cause the ball to bounce lower, are more slippery, and require quick ball handling, stable footwork, and a good feel for serving – qualities that many players haven't yet regained after the clay court season.
And the players only had a mere 2-3 weeks to adapt to that change. Gauff played the Roland Garros final on June 8th, then rested for a week before entering the Berlin Open, an ATP 500 grass court tournament, to prepare for Wimbledon.
But then Gauff lost in the first round in Berlin. As a result, the American player had virtually no other opportunity to familiarize herself with Wimbledon.
Unpredictable weather and a difficult-to-control pitch.
Weather conditions this year also contributed to the increased volatility. The opening day of Wimbledon 2025 saw temperatures reach 32 degrees Celsius – one of the highest in the tournament's history.
Compared to the average temperatures of previous years, which only ranged from 21 to 26 degrees Celsius, this temperature difference caused players to tire more quickly in longer matches.
High temperatures also affect the already thin and slippery grass surface. When the grass dries out quickly under intense sunlight, the surface becomes more difficult to control, especially during slips or sudden changes of direction.
Wimbledon this year is particularly heated - Photo: REUTERS
Some players, like Sabalenka, had even encountered problems in Berlin a few days earlier, where the grass courts had to be temporarily suspended due to being too slippery.
According to Telegraph columnist Simon Briggs, grass courts today are no longer the "domain" of classic volley players, but have become a battleground for those with decisive shots from the baseline.
When the pressure of expectations isn't weighing heavily on their shoulders, lesser-known players tend to compete with more confidence, willing to take risks, and thus create surprises against seeded opponents who are struggling to adapt.
That's why, given the challenging weather and court conditions, the top seeds will face greater obstacles than less well-known players. Therefore, Wimbledon 2025 is proving to be a tournament full of exciting surprises.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dieu-gi-dang-xay-ra-o-wimbledon-2025-20250702084345677.htm
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