Where did it all go wrong? Worst day at Wimbledon since records began for British home hopes in SW19 wipeout

Tuesday, 30 June 2026 at 00:20

Debate roared on before Wimbledon began not only surrounding Serena Williams getting a wildcard, but also Dan Evans not getting one and whether certain Brits deserved time and time again in the British summer sun to lose early.

The LTA perhaps had their worst advertisement for the latter on the opening day of this year's Championships with the worst day since records began for home hopes. Emma Raducanu withdrew late on Sunday and Jack Draper also didn't feather those blows by withdrawing a day before his headline first round tie with Taylor Fritz.

But perhaps that proved to be the catalyst for a British wipeout as Wimbledon suffered one of the worst days ever when it came to British tennis. Since records began in 2000, ten British players have been dumped out in a single day for the first time in the worst day in history at Wimbledon for host nation players.

It eclipses nine lost on a single day in 2005 and 2007 and the ten losers with record prize money received £800,000 between them with only five sets won out of the 29 played. No wonder the Wimbledon wildcards are such a hot commodity for the Brits that receive them.

Read also

On Court 18, Mika Stojsavljevic, a 17-year-old wildcard was first to go losing easily to 11th seed Belinda Bencic perhaps expected. But the losses kept coming as Max Basing was thumped 6-3, 6-0, 6-0 by fellow qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki of Japan.

Felix Gill was then sent packing by the rising Spaniard, Rafael Jodar who has very little experience on grass. But he managed to sprint through 6-3, 6-3, 7-5.

Dart and Norrie bundled out

Harriet Dart who either got a wildcard or qualified by right for eight Wimbledon's now was one to have garnered criticism with the Brit who once was seen as a bright hope not exactly following Raducanu or even Katie Boulter into the tennis higher echelons. But she has been given chance after chance.

She was propelled onto Court One into the de facto Brit replacement role for Emma Raducanu who was expected to be a star attraction on Day One. But she was well beaten by Jelena Ostapenko albeit in a three set riposte which did feature bright spells. But not enough from Dart who lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

Harriet Dart bundled out again.

Alicia Dudeney was also bundled out 6-3, 6-3 by Alycia Parks on Court 4. Cameron Norrie was perhaps expected to beat Michael Zheng, but the American celebrated a 6-7, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 7-6 success in four hours on No.2 court. Oliver Tarvet who had to come through qualifying this year was taken down in four by Arthur Rinderknech. A 7-6 7-6 4-6 7-5 win for the Frenchman.

While Hannah Klugman who lives locally will walk home after she was well beaten 6-1, 6-4 by Barbora Krejcikova, former champion. Mimi Xu also was beaten in three by Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. Fran Jones finally lost to Diane Parry 6-4, 6-4.

This leaves really only Katie Boulter left in the reckoning of the leading lights. Jack Pinnington Jones was due to play today, but bad light stopped him and if nine more fall tomorrow, major questions are incoming for LTA chiefs.

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

Wimbledon ATP 2026: Results, Draw, Entry List, History, Predictions

"Listen, everyone's welcome, this is not a clique": Iva Jovic always open to making new friends on tour amid Alexandra Eala bond