Marketa Vondrousova Makes History as Unseeded Player, Claims Wimbledon Title
In a stunning upset at Wimbledon, Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic ranked 42nd in the world, became the lowest-ranked and first unseeded woman to win the prestigious tournament.
Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur, last year’s runner-up, with a score of 6-4, 6-4 in the final held on Saturday.
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The 24-year-old left-hander showcased her exceptional skills throughout the match, benefiting from the closed retractable roof on the main stadium that shielded the players from the strong winds outside. Vondrousova’s smooth lefty strokes found their mark consistently, while Jabeur seemed to struggle under the pressure, evident in her shots.
Although Vondrousova found herself trailing in each set, she displayed resilience and determination. She rallied to claim the last four games of the first set and the last three games of the second set, securing her victory and earning her first Grand Slam title.
This remarkable achievement follows her previous experience as a finalist in the 2019 French Open when she was just a teenager.
On the other side of the net, Jabeur, a 28-year-old from Tunisia, faced disappointment in her third major final, unable to clinch the championship once again.
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Despite her loss, Jabeur holds the distinction of being the only Arab woman and the sole North African woman to reach the singles final in any Grand Slam tournament. Her previous major final appearances include defeats against Elena Rybakina at Wimbledon and against No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the U.S. Open in the previous year.
Vondrousova’s triumph at Wimbledon marks an extraordinary journey. Just two weeks prior, her record at the tournament had been unimpressive, with only one appearance in the second round out of five attempts on the grass courts.
However, this year, she defied expectations, going undefeated with a 7-0 record throughout the tournament. It is worth noting that Vondrousova was unable to compete at Wimbledon last year due to a wrist injury, but she returned stronger than ever this season.
The final match between Vondrousova and Jabeur showcased an early exchange of breaks, resulting in a 2-all tie after 23 minutes of intense play. The players traded breaks once again, with both breaks occurring without losing a single point, bringing the score to 4-all after 34 minutes.
Jabeur’s errors began to accumulate, resulting in 27 unforced errors in total, while Vondrousova took control of the match. Vondrousova seized 16 of the last 18 points in the first set, establishing a commanding lead.
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During the break between sets, Jabeur took a moment in the locker room, seeking to regroup. However, upon her return to the court, she immediately committed another error, intensifying the support from the spectators. Jabeur’s struggles continued, and she gifted Vondrousova a breakpoint, ultimately succumbing to yet another shot into the net. With a set and a break advantage, Vondrousova led the match after a mere 45 minutes.
Nevertheless, Jabeur exhibited her fighting spirit, mounting a brief comeback by winning three consecutive games and taking a 3-1 lead in the second set. Jabeur had showcased her resilience in previous matches by rallying after dropping the opening sets against opponents like Rybakina, Sabalenka, and Andreescu.
The crowd, captivated by Jabeur’s charismatic on-court persona and dubbed her the “Minister of Happiness,” rallied behind her, hoping for a dramatic turnaround. However, Vondrousova proved unyielding, overcoming the setback and surging towards victory.
When Vondrousova sealed her triumph with a remarkable jumping volley, she fell to the grass in sheer jubilation, experiencing the happiest moment of her career on this hallowed surface. Her husband was present to witness this memorable achievement, marking a special occasion as he joined her for the first time during the tournament.
Marketa Vondrousova’s extraordinary journey from an unseeded player to a Wimbledon champion will be remembered as one of the most remarkable stories in tennis history.