Record 23 Seeded Players Exit First Round Wimbledon

The 2025 Wimbledon Championships have seen an unprecedented wave of upsets, with 23 seeded players—including eight top-10 seeds—eliminated in the first round, tying a record for Grand Slam tournaments since seeding began in 2001. Notably, American Coco Gauff, fresh off her French Open victory, and third-seeded Jessica Pegula were both ousted early, marking the first time since 1968 that two of the top three women’s seeds lost in the opening round. High-profile men’s seeds such as Alexander Zverev and Lorenzo Musetti also suffered surprising defeats, while others like Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic remain in contention. The extreme heat during the matches added to the challenges faced by players like Zheng Qinwen, who was also eliminated early. The tournament's grass courts have proven formidable, shaking up the favorites and emphasizing the unpredictable nature of tennis, as reflected in players’ and commentators’ reactions. With ongoing matches still in suspense, the championship remains volatile and full of potential surprises.