World No.3 Jessica Pegula suffers shock 58-minute Wimbledon first-round defeat

Jessica Pegula became the most high-profile player to crash out of Wimbledon in the first round on Tuesday. The world No.3 appeared to be struggling with a knee injury and was beaten 6-2, 6-3 by Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto in just 58 minutes.

Pegula arrived at the All England Lawn Tennis Club as one of the favourites in the women’s singles, having beaten Iga Swiatek in the final of Bad Homburg on Saturday.

But she departs after suffering a shock defeat to the world No.116, exiting a Grand Slam in the first round for the first time since the 2020 French Open. It was a nightmare match for Pegula, who made 24 unforced errors and hit just five winners.

The 31-year-old is the daughter of Terry and Kim Pegula – the owners of NFL franchise Buffalo Bills – whose net worth, according to Forbes, is a staggering £7.6billion. She reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2023 and has banked $18.3m (£13.3m) in prize money throughout her career.

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The American will take home £66,000, despite falling at the first hurdle. Cocciaretto, meanwhile, has moved into the second round to earn £99,000. She said: "To play here in such an unbelievable tournament and such an unbelievable stadium is a dream come true for me.

"I was so pumped to play Wimbledon this year, I couldn't wait until the match started because I was practicing really hard to do the best that I can today.

"I played a really great champion, she's an unbelievable player, she's a great example for all of us. It was an unbelievable match. Thanks to the team, thanks for the support. Without them I couldn't stay here today so thank you very much."

She added: "I played with a player like her before, Iga [Siwatek], Aryna [Sabalenka], all of those players that you have to do the best you can on the court with the little chance they give you.

"I tried to be more aggressive. I had to go for it and do my best. I think I did a great job today and I am super happy about that.”

Asked about her progress in the last year, she said: "I had a lot of stops. I was sick for a month and a half and I couldn't play here so that's why I was so pumped to play because I think it is the best tournament.

“Grass is always special to play. I don't think too much about my ranking. The journey of tennis is long, you have to adapt, you have to enjoy. You have to accept the life."