Defending Wimbledon Champion Swiatek Struggles, But Advances

Iga Swiatek, Wimbledon
Iga Swiatek (photo: Jürgen Hasenkopf)

WIMBLEDON/WASHINGTON, June 30, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)

Defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek has won six Grand Slams titles, including last year’s Wimbledon Championships crown. She’s won Roland-Garros four times and also has a U.S. Open title to her list of major accomplishments. 

However, the 25-year-old from Poland will probably be the first to admit that grass isn’t her strongest surface despite winning a Wimbledon title with a flourish – capturing 20 straight games, which included a double-bagel, 6-0, 6-0 victory over Amanda Anisimova of the United States in the final. Thus, it will be quite interesting to see just how far the World No. 3 Swiatek goes in this year’s Wimbledon draw.

“I’m really in a place that I’m keeping my expectations low,” Swiatek, who is seeded third, said during a pre-tournament interview.

“I feel proud of what happened last year. My dream came true kind of. Not even a dream because I didn’t dream that because I thought it was impossible. It feels great.”

 

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On Tuesday afternoon, as is the tradition at The Championships, the reigning women’s singles champion took to Centre Court at the All England Club first, at 1:30 p.m. London Time, to face the always tricky Taylor Townsend of the United States, an accomplished doubles specialist ranked No. 2 in the world, who won a doubles title at Wimbledon a couple of years ago with Katerina Siniakova of Czechia. Ranked 79th in singles, Townsend loves to play serve and volley tennis and play with sharp angles.

Townsend gave Swiatek all she could handle but eventually, it was the Polish star who prevailed, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, in two hours and two minutes to advance.

From the outset, Swiatek dominated Townsend in all facets and easily won the opening set 6-1. However, Townsend recovered nicely in the second set. She held serve during a lengthy second game and darted to a double-break 4-0 lead as Swiatek’s serve began to wobble and doubled-faulted twice in a row. Townsend closed out the middle set 6-2 with her third ace and it sent the match into a decider.

As the third set unfolded, Swiatek continued to experience difficulty with getting her serve into play, with the double faults continuing to mount – she finished with nine. Soon, Swiatek saved four break points during a scrappy, 12-minute-plus, 24-point opening game to hold serve for a 1-0 lead. Then, ahead 3-2, Swiatek ratcheted up the intensity and broke Townsend to go ahead 4-2, but was immediately broken in the following game by the American lefty.

However, Swiatek broke Townsend for the second-straight time and found herself serving for the match, ahead 5-3. With three match points on her racquet, ahead 40-0, Swiatek aced Townsend for the second time in the match to close out the first-round victory. It was the first time Swiatek had dropped a set since the second-round of last year’s Championships.

Struggling to find her rhythm, Swiatek won just 67 percent (39 of 58) of her first-serve points and faced 12 break points (saving nine of them). She finished with 25 winners but made 36 unforced errors. Swiatek outpointed Townsend 88-73.

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks,” Swiatek said, looking exhausted from her first-round battle. “Not a season where everything went how I wanted. I don’t think I won any three set matches this year. I’m happy I could do it here. Obviously, it means a lot opening the court as the defending champion. I’m just happy to be here.”

Later, during her post-match news conference, Swiatek explained her release of emotions at the end of the match. 

“Well, I think the whole process of opening the court and playing as a defending champion is for sure really emotional,” she said. “Last year probably the most amazing thing in my tennis career happened here. So, I felt it also today.

“But, you know, it was a mix of different emotions. Overall, I’m happy that I got the win, and I can have another chance to play on this court.”

Next, Swiatek will face former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova of Czechia, ranked No. 73, who garnered her 19th career Wimbledon main-draw win – and first one since 2022. Pliskova secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory against fellow Czech Tereza Valentova, ranked 54th, in one hour and 15 minutes on Court 4.

The 34-year-old Pliskova improved to 46-26 against fellow Czechs on the WTA Tour – 20-7 against countrywomen who are younger than her, such as the 19-year-old Valentova.

Zverev may be allergic to grass but not to winning

World No. 3 and second seed Alexander Zverev was pushed to four sets by Wimbledon rookie Alexander Blockx of Belgium during his first-round match on Centre Court Tuesday afternoon. However, by the end of their two-hour, 55-minute skirmish, it was the Roland-Garros champion who prevailed, 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (0).

After becoming the first German man since Boris Becker in 1996 to win a Grand Slam title, the 29-year-old Hamburg native is hoping he can overcome his aversion to grass to progress beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon.

“I have a grass allergy,” Zverev revealed during a pre-tournament interview.

“Roland Garros in the back of your head really helps, but I do believe that I can play well on this surface and that I can play well when I get through some matches and I did get through today so I am very happy about that,” Zverev said during his on-court interview. “I hope I will have the best result of my career.”

Against the 36th-ranked Blockx, who was a finalist at last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals, Zverev fired 21 winners and hit 48 total winners, compared to 16 aces and 46 total winners for Blockx. Zverev won 84 percent (89 of 106) of his first-serve points, converted two of five break points and outpointed Blockx 147-129. It was Zverev’s third win this year over the 21-year-old Blockx after defeating him in both Madrid and Rome on clay.

During his pre-tournament news conference, Zverev was asked what has been the best thing on or off the court with being a Grand Slam champion.

“I think people always think that once you win a Grand Slam, your life changes in a way,” Zverev said. “I kind of figured out it really doesn’t (smiling). For me, I enjoy certain things outside the court. I will keep enjoying them, whether it’s going to play golf with my friends, whether it’s going to a kids club with my daughter. Those things don’t really change that much.

“For me, of course there is some sort of satisfaction inside of me, and there is of course something that was fighting for my entire career.

“Outside of that, life doesn’t really change that much. You continue living your life. As you can see, two weeks later we’re at Wimbledon and we’re already preparing for the next Grand Slam.”

Next, Zverev will face Valentin Royer of France in the second round on. Thursday. The 75th-ranked Royer defeated 202nd-ranked British wild card Harry Wendelken, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, in two hours and 53 minutes on Court 14.

Wawrinka bows to Berrettini in his Wimbledon finale

Stan Wawrinka gave it his all against Matteo Berrettini but after four hours and 20 minutes on No. 1 Court Tuesday night, his magnificent Wimbledon career – filled with 19 memorable campaign appearances – had come to an end with the conclusion of their first-round match.

The 41-year-old Swiss star – the oldest man in this year’s main draw – waved farewell to the crowd that filled Wimbledon’s second-largest show court and showed its support for the 109th-ranked wild card from first ball to last ball. Wawrinka lost to the 51st-ranked Berrettini of Italy, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (16), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5). 

Together, Wawrinka and Berrettini, good friends and good company on the second evening of the British fortnight, combined to give an entertaining performance. While the 30-year-old Roman will move on to the second round against No. 20 seed Arthur Fils of France on Thursday, Wawrinka bid goodbye to some of his favorite fans in one of his favorite places to play tennis.

One thing was certain from first ball to last, Wawrinka came to compete.

 

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Despite losing, Wawrinka, a former World No. 3 and three-time major titlist, was given the courtesy of one last on-court interview – something that is normally reserved just for match winners on the biggest courts at Wimbledon. Fighting back the tears that welled in his eyes, he spoke with passion from the heart as he was interviewed by the BBC’s Lee McKenzie. 

“I’ve always been passionate about the game, always enjoyed that,” he said. “I’m grateful, and I would like to thank everybody because I had the chance, this opportunity to play one last time here. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better goodbye.

“I don’t want to retire but I know it’s time for me to stop. It’s one of the reasons why I kept playing for so long is to enjoy those moments like tonight. It’s so much emotion. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity, to have received the wild card to have the chance to play one last time Wimbledon.”

 

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Berrettini (29) and Wawrinka (18) combined to hit 47 aces and 110 total winners (66-44 in favor of Berrettini). Both won a high percentage of their first-serve points (86 percent for Berrettini, 81 percent for Wawrinka). Each broke their opponent once. Berrettini outpointed Wawrinka 178-168.

When it was his turn to be interviewed on court, Berrettini, a 2021 Wimbledon finalist, was gracious in his comments about Wawrinka.

“He’s a legend and he showed it today,” Berrettini said. “Unbelievable player, unbelievable competitor. I remember in 2014, I was playing the juniors here and I snuck into Centre Court. He was playing against Roger [Federer]. It was a big honor to play against him here, on Court 1. I feel so honored, so grateful.”

 

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Around the All England Club

Men:

• Qualifier Otto Virtanen of Finland, ranked No. 140, played the match of his life and garnered the biggest win of his career by ranking Tuesday afternoon on No. 2 Court. Over the course of his four-hour, 21-minute thriller against World No. 5 and fourth seed Ben Shelton of the United States, Virtanen saved a match point during a fifth-set match tie-break and went on to win the first-round tussle on his first match-point opportunity.

By the conclusion, it was Virtanen who upset Shelton and handed the American No. 1 his first five-set defeat at Wimbledon after going 4-0, by a final score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (8), 6-2, 7-6 (11-9), to advance to the second round.

Virtanen overcame 19 aces and 68 overall winners from Shelton by striking 14 aces of his own and striking 60 total winners. Virtanen won 80 percent of his first-serve points (75 of 94), converted three of eight break points and outscored Shelton 180-179.

 

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During his on-court interview, the 25-year-old, 6-foot-4-inch Virtanen was asked how his heart rate was faring. He replied: “I don’t know if I have a heart anymore. It probably bounced out of my body, but I’m here. I played until the last moment because of you all.”

Just where did that performance of Virtanen’s come from? “I had a great month before this one. I played a lot of grass matches. Always enjoyed playing here. Last year, I unfortunately missed it due to injury. But two years ago, I had a great time here. You, it feels so good to be back here,” he said.

This season, although Virtanen has qualified for four main draws on the ATP Tour before Wimbledon, he’s spent much of his time playing on the ATP Challenger Tour circuit, where he recently was a finalist at both Birmingham and Nottingham on grass. In all competitions this season, he’s 21-14. 

During his post-match news conference, Virtanen was still riding on a positive high. “I tell you, it was a fantastic day for me. I really enjoyed playing, even, you know, five sets,” he said. “I’m exhausted, but I enjoy it. I gave everything I had.

“Very happy with the win. Crowd was amazing. Just wanted to stay there. I mean, I got five sets to be there. Yeah, really happy with the win.”

Next, Virtanen will face 114th-ranked wild card Arthur Fery of Great Britain, who eliminated No. 105 Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, in two hours and 40 minutes.

• Other seeds advancing include: No. 5 seed Alex de Minaur of Australia, No. 6 seed Taylor Fritz of the United States, No. 10 Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, No. 13 Jiri Lehecka of Czechia, No. 15 seed Jakub Mensik of Czechia, No. 19 Karen Khachanov of Russia, No. 20 Arthur Fils of France, and No. 28 Brandon Nakashima of the United States.

• Seeds who lost in the first round: No. 18 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, No. 27 Ugo Humbert of France, No. 29 Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina, No. 30 Alejandro Tabilo of Chile, and No. 32 Matteo Arnaldi of Italy.

Women:

• No. 6 seed Amanda Anisimova of the United States put the heartbreak and disappointment of losing last year’s Wimbledon final to Iga Swiatek, in which she was shut out 6-0, 6-0, behind her when she walked out on No. 2 Court Tuesday. A new year, a new outlook.

Anismiova needed just 61 minutes to defeat history-making qualifier Lina Gjorcheska of North Macedonia, 6-3, 6-2. The 222nd-ranked, 31-year-old Gjorcheska became the first player from her country to compete in a Grand Slam main draw. 

After winning, Anisimova said during her post-match news conference: “I was really happy with my first round. Felt like I did all the things that I wanted to do. Not easy to play a qualifier, as well. I feel like they have had a few matches that they had under their belt. So yeah, I felt like she was playing really good tennis today. Just happy to be through to the next one.”

Anisimova said she wasn’t worried about losing last year’s final. After all, this was a new year. “Well, I mean, it was a year ago, so it’s not like I started playing this match thinking about the final or anything last year. As I said, it’s a new tournament. I was just ready for my first round, preparing a lot for it. …

“I felt like I did all of the things I wanted to.”

• Other seeds advancing include: No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, No. 9 seed Linda Noskova of Czechia, No. 12 seed Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, No. 13 seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy, No. 15 Diana Shnaider of Russia, No. 17 seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania, No. 21 seed Marie Bouzkova of Czechia, No. 23 Emma Navarro of the United States, No. 25 Elise Mertens of Belgium, No. 26 seed Madison Keys of the United States, and No. 29 Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.

• Seeds who lost in the first round include: No. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, No. 24 Clara Tauson of Denmark, and No. 31 Donna Vekic of Croatia. 

Tuesday’s Wimbledon results

Wednesday’s Wimbledon order of play

By the numbers

• Alexander Zverev is bidding to become the 14th man in tennis history to win back-to-back Roland-Garros and Wimbledon titles – and the seventh in the Open Era after Rod Laver (1969), Bjorn Borg (1978-80), Rafael Nadal (2008, 2010), Roger Federer (2009), Novak Djokovic (2021) and Carlos Alcaraz (2024).

• After going 0-for-10 on Monday, British women’s and men’s players rallied to go 3-4 in Tuesday matches, securing wins from Katie Swan, Jacob Fearnley and Arthur Fery.

“Quotable …”

“I think something that immediately pops the eye is how aggressive Serena is. Every match, every point depends on her. She’s obviously a huge hitter, huge serve, huge presence on court. I think that really inspired me.

“I see myself a lot in little things that she does. Again, I always try to dictate the point, always try to put pressure to your opponent. Growing up, I really looked up to her on that. I think that was huge.

“Yeah, I mean, since I started playing, it was Serena, Serena, Serena. Yeah, I’m glad she’s here. I’m glad also today I could play so well.”

– Qualifier Tyra Grant of France, ranked 172nd, during her post-match news conference, speaking about Serena Williams. Grant defeated No. 60 Katie Boulter of Great Britain to advance to the second round. It was the 11th-straight loss the British suffered to start this year’s Wimbledon Championships.

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