Tennis-Defending champion Vondrousova falls at first Wimbledon hurdle

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova reacts during her first round match against Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro REUTERS/Matthew Childs

By Ossian Shine

LONDON (Reuters) -Defending champion Marketa Vondrousova was knocked out in the first round of Wimbledon on Tuesday, the first female holder to fall at the opening hurdle since Steffi Graf 30 years ago.

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova in action during her first round match against Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro REUTERS/Matthew Childs

Czech Vondrousova, who became the first unseeded woman to lift the title last year, earned a far less welcome accolade after a 6-4 6-2 defeat by Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro celebrates after winning her first round match against Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova REUTERS/Matthew Childs

Ranked world number 83, Bouzas Maneiro had won only one tour-level match all year heading into Wimbledon, but secured her first win across all Grand Slams when she slapped a backhand down the line.

"It is one of the most important moments of my life," the Spaniard smiled as she soaked up the cheers. "I'm just... I'm surprised with myself to be honest.

"The atmosphere was so nice, so... elegant... it feels like I was at home, I don't know why," she added, explaining her lack of nerves on one of the sport's greatest stages.

The 21-year-old from Galicia hit the ball cleanly throughout an unremarkable Centre Court clash, but only really needed to keep it in play as errors flew from champion Vondrousova's racket with alarming regularity.

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in action during her first round match against Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova REUTERS/Matthew Childs

Struggling with a hip injury which derailed her preparation, sixth-seeded Vondrousova now heads for the exit while Bouzas Maneiro will next face compatriot Cristina Bucsa or Romanian Ana Bogdan in the second round.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)