10 years, 10 champions: Krejcikova’s exit confirms another new Wimbledon champion in a decade-long streak

Sunday, 05 July 2026 at 19:30

We are only in the Round of 16 of Wimbledon and the last defending champion has already been knocked out. This is Barbora Krejcikova – the 2024 champion – who was eliminated by her compatriot Karolina Muchova in three sets.

Her exit adds to those of Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek – two who were among the favorites to reach the later rounds and fight for the title, but who could not even make it past the first week.

Serena Williams was the fourth former champion – with 7 Wimbledon titles to her name – but being her first tournament in four years, it seemed highly unlikely to include her among the contenders at 44 years of age.

Only five former Grand Slam champions reached the Round of 16 – meaning they had already made it into the second week of the tournament – and Krejcikova is the first of them to be eliminated, also being the only one in that group who had previously won a title at SW19. A maximum of three could reach the quarterfinals, considering the clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka, two players who together hold four major titles across the Australian Open and US Open.

Wimbledon 2026 set for another first-time winner

Since Serena Williams last won the title in 2016, defeating Angelique Kerber in the final, Wimbledon has produced a different champion every single year.

The Spanish player Garbiñe Muguruza (2017) started this run of consecutive first-time champions, followed by Angelique Kerber (2018), Simona Halep (2019) and Ashleigh Barty (2021) – all of whom are now retired.

Alongside the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, only the last four Wimbledon champions remain active. However, 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova is reportedly suspended after refusing to undergo a doping control and is expected to remain out of competition for four years.

Marketa Vondrousova won her first Grand Slam title defeating Ons Jabeur in the final

Marketa Vondrousova won the 2023 Wimbledon ladies title

Only three former champions arrived with realistic chances of fighting for the title, but all have now been eliminated. Elena Rybakina exited in the third round against Elise Mertens (6-7, 1-6), while Iga Swiatek suffered the same fate hours later against Alexandra Eala (6-7, 2-6).

The last remaining former champion in the draw was Krejcikova, the 2024 winner (victory over Jasmine Paolini), who had shown strong form in the tournament, especially after eliminating fifth seed and recent Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva.

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Krejcikova faced her compatriot Karolina Muchova – the 19th seed – and it was Muchova who came through in three sets. It is the third time Muchova has reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in her career, breaking a streak of four consecutive first-round exits in previous editions.

Krejcikova’s elimination confirms that Wimbledon will once again crown a new champion. Since 2016 – the last year Serena Williams lifted the trophy – a different name has won the title every season, and 2026 looks set to continue that trend. The only player still in contention who has previously reached a final is Jasmine Paolini – who was defeated by Krejcikova two years ago and is now enjoying another strong run.

Wimbledon Women’s Singles Finals (Last 10 Editions)

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Score
2016	Serena Williams	Angelique Kerber	7-5, 6-3
2017	Garbiñe Muguruza	Venus Williams	7-5, 6-0
2018	Angelique Kerber	Serena Williams	6-3, 6-3
2019	Simona Halep	Serena Williams	6-2, 6-2
2020	Not held (COVID-19)	—	—
2021	Ashleigh Barty	Karolína Plíšková	6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3
2022	Elena Rybakina	Ons Jabeur	3-6, 6-2, 6-2
2023	Markéta Vondroušová	Ons Jabeur	6-4, 6-4
2024	Barbora Krejcikova	Jasmine Paolini	6-2, 2-6, 6-4
2025	Iga Swiatek	Amanda Anisimova	6-0, 6-0

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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