Medvedev stunned by Bonzi in Wimbledon first-round exit

Tennis
  • 5 Hours Ago
In a stunning upset on the opening day of the 2025 Championships, former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev was ousted in the first round by France’s Benjamin Bonzi, marking the Russian’s earliest exit in seven appearances at the All England Club.



The ninth-seeded Medvedev, a semifinalist at Wimbledon in both 2023 and 2024, was expected to contend deep into the tournament once again. But under the sweltering London sun on Court Two, it was Bonzi who rose to the occasion, producing inspired tennis to win 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 in just over three hours.



“This is my first top-10 win at a Slam,” Bonzi said afterwards. “It’s very special, especially at this tournament. I love this place. Daniil is a great player, so this win means a lot.”



For Medvedev, 29, the result caps a miserable year at the majors. The 2021 US Open champion has now lost in the opening two rounds of all three Grand Slam tournaments in 2025. His Grand Slam slide began with a five-set loss to 121st-ranked Learner Tien at the Australian Open, continued with a five-set defeat to 81st-ranked Cameron Norrie at Roland Garros, and now includes a first-ever first-round defeat at Wimbledon—against world No. 64 Bonzi.



Medvedev entered the tournament on the back of a runner-up finish at the Halle Open, showing flashes of form on grass. But despite that recent run, the Russian’s season record now stands at a disappointing 23-14 overall and 1-3 in Grand Slam matches.



The loss is likely to significantly impact his ATP ranking, with semifinal points from last year now wiped from his tally. Medvedev’s last title came at the 2023 Rome Masters, and the drought continues amid growing concerns over his form and confidence on the biggest stages.



Bonzi, also 29, now adds a second career Top 10 victory to his resume, following his win over Casper Ruud in Metz last year—a tournament he went on to win for his first ATP title. While he had never gone past the second round at Wimbledon before, this victory may well serve as a breakthrough moment.



The Frenchman’s reward is a place in the second round, where his confidence and clean ball-striking will be closely watched. As for Medvedev, a summer of soul-searching likely awaits.



The grass-court season, it seems, has found its first major storyline.