Vondrousova lowest ranked player to win Wimbledon since rankings began, first ever unseeded player to do so
WTASunday, 16 July 2023 at 05:00
Marketa
Vondrousova is the Wimbledon champion with the lowest ranking in the Open Era.
The Czech
player had an unexpected run on the London grass and won her first Grand Slam
title by defeating the sixth seed Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-4. Marketa Vondrousova had
previously reached the final of the 2019 French Open but lost to Ashleigh
Barty.
At All
England Club, she entered as the world No. 42, which means she wasn't even
among the top 32 seeds and main favorites of the tournament. To lift the title,
Vondrousova defeated five seeded players, including Veronika Kudermetova
(12th), Donna Vekic (20th), Marie Bouzkova (32nd), Jessica Pegula (4th), and
Ons Jabeur (6th).
She also
faced Peyton Sterns in the first round and Elina Svitolina in the semifinals,
who received a wild card entry and defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the
quarterfinals.
The match
with Svitolina was the first time that two unseeded players competed against
each other in a Wimbledon semifinal, and Vondrousova's journey to the final was
the second lowest-ranked path since Serena Williams in 2018.
That year,
the 23-time Grand Slam champion entered the final against Angelique Kerber as
the world No. 186, although she had a protected ranking that still allowed her
to enter as the 25th seed. Kerber claimed her first Wimbledon title and third
Grand Slam in her career that day, avenging the final she lost to Williams in
2016.
Read also
Vondrousova
then became the player with the lowest ranking to win the Wimbledon trophy and
the only one who did not enter as a seed.
Other
players who were part of the rankings below Vondrousova include Venus Williams
in 2017 (39th), Elena Rybakina in 2022 (23rd), Venus again in 2005 (16th), and
a tie between Maria Sharapova (2004), Marion Bartoli (2013), and Garbine
Muguruza (2017), all of whom won the title as world No. 15.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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