Coco Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, expressed his astonishment at several seeded players, including the World No. 2, facing early exits in the first round of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.
Ten seeded players in the women’s and 13 in the men’s draw were eliminated in their opening matches. This year, four out of the top 10 seeds in women’s and men’s singles draws suffered first-round defeats at the London Major.
Coco Gauff’s Ex-Coach Brad Gilbert on Wimbledon Upsets
Gauff, who recently claimed her second Grand Slam title at the 2025 French Open, lost to Dayana Yastremska in her opening match at Wimbledon.
The World No. 2’s compatriot, third-seeded Jessica Pegula, was ousted in the first round by Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Pegula had entered Wimbledon on a high note after winning the Bad Homburg Open, where she triumphed over Iga Świątek in the final, securing her ninth career Women’s Tennis Association Tour singles title.
Fifth-seeded Zheng Qinwen also faced an early exit, losing to Kateřina Siniaková, while Katie Boulter defeated ninth-seed Paula Badosa in her opening match.
On the men’s side, third-seed Alexander Zverev fell to Arthur Rinderknech in the first round. On the other hand, seventh seed Lorenzo Musetti, eighth seed Holger Rune, and ninth seed Daniil Medvedev were eliminated by qualifiers Nikoloz Basilashvili, qualifier Nicolás Jarry, and Benjamin Bonzi, respectively.
Reacting to the wave of upsets among seeded players at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, Gauff’s ex-coach, Gilbert, remarked that such upsets can be “contagious.” He also suggested that the early losses have significantly opened up the draw for the remaining competitors.
“I said upsets are very contagious 😷 this morning 😎didn’t think 🤔 we would 8 combined top 10 seeds out @Wimbledon and and bunch others, there are some absolutely wide open sections now,” Gilbert posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
I said upsets are very contagious 😷 this morning 😎didn’t think 🤔 we would 8 combined top 10 seeds out @Wimbledon and and bunch others, there are some absolutely wide open sections now
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) July 1, 2025
Defending Champions Carlos Alcaraz, Barbora Krejčíková Advance
Carlos Alcaraz is the two-time defending champion at Wimbledon, having won the title in 2023 and 2024 by defeating Novak Djokovic in the finals. Seeded second this year, the Spaniard began his campaign with a victory over Fabio Fognini in the first round, winning with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. He is set to face qualifier Oliver Tarvet in the second round.
Tarvet earned his place in the main draw by overcoming Térence Atmane, Alexis Galarneau, and Alexander Blockx in the qualifying rounds. In the first round of the main draw, he triumphed over fellow qualifier Leandro Riedi in straight sets, winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
This upcoming match between the former World No. 1 and Tarvet will be their first encounter on the ATP Tour. The winner will advance to face either the 25th seed, Félix Auger-Aliassime, or Jan-Lennard Struff in the third round.
On the women’s side, Barbora Krejčíková is also defending her title at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, having won it last year by defeating Jasmine Paolini in the final. It was her first grass-court Major singles title and her second Grand Slam singles title overall.
This year, Krejčíková is seeded 17th and began her title defense with a comeback victory over Alexandra Eala, winning 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. She will next face Caroline Dolehide, who advanced to the second round after defeating Arantxa Rus 6-2, 6-2.
Krejčíková and Dolehide have faced each other only once on the WTA Tour, in the final of the 2019 Pelham Racquet Club Pro Classic, which the Czech star won 6-4, 6-3. The winner of the second round match between these two players at Wimbledon will advance to face either 10th-seed Emma Navarro or Veronika Kudermetova in the third round.
