Medvedev Ousted by France’s Bonzi in Wimbledon First-Round Shock

Daniil Medvedev’s struggles at the majors deepened on Monday as the world No. 9 was knocked out of Wimbledon in the first round by France’s Benjamin Bonzi, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2. The Russian, a semifinalist at the All England Club in each of the past two years, was broken twice in the fourth set and exited after three hours on Court 2.

The defeat marks Medvedev’s third consecutive opening-match loss at a Grand Slam—second round in Melbourne, first round in Paris and now London—something he had never previously experienced, according to Opta. By failing to defend last year’s 800 semifinal points, he is projected to slide to roughly 14th in the ATP rankings, his lowest position since 2019.

Medvedev’s frustration was audible during the match; speaking in French he asked why Bonzi did not “play like this every day and win millions.” Bonzi, ranked 64th and winless on grass this season before Wimbledon, called the result “the greatest victory of my career” and will meet Australia’s Jordan Thompson in the second round.