Medvedev’s Wimbledon Upset Leads to Rankings Drop After Racket-Smashing Outburst

Daniil Medvedev, the ninth seed, experienced a stunning first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025, triggering a rankings collapse and a display of frustration that saw him smashing his rackets. The defeat against French player Benjamin Bonzi, ranked No. 64 globally, has resulted in Medvedev’s failure to advance past the opening round for the first time in his seven Wimbledon appearances.

Shocking Defeat at Wimbledon

Medvedev’s match against Bonzi concluded with a score of 7-6 (2), 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2. The defeat marks Medvedev’s second consecutive first-round Grand Slam exit, following a loss to Cameron Norrie at Roland Garros. This also marks the first time in his career that Medvedev has lost three consecutive Grand Slam matches.

Medvedev’s Frustration

Following the loss, Medvedev was visibly frustrated, smashing his rackets. This isn’t the first time Medvedev has displayed such behavior. At the Australian Open earlier in the year, he also smashed a racket and made contact with a net camera during a match against Kasidit Samrej.

Medvedev’s Reaction

Despite the defeat, Medvedev stated he was “not that worried” about his recent form. He acknowledged his disappointment but pointed to his performance at the Halle Open, where he reached the final, as a source of reassurance. He also stated that he felt that he could be back in the top 10 if he could replicate his Halle performance.

Rankings Impact and Analysis

Medvedev, who is currently ranked No. 9, has had a turbulent year with a few early exits from major tournaments. He has dropped out of the top 10 once this year, after the Miami Open. His Wimbledon loss adds to a series of setbacks, including a second-round loss at the Australian Open to Learner Tien.

Comparisons to Other Players

Medvedev’s struggles are not unique, as other players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev also faced early exits at Wimbledon 2025. This has led to discussions about potential burnout and the increasing intensity of the sport.

Medvedev’s Perspective

Medvedev has expressed that he is not panicking, but was worried after his loss at ‘s-Hertogenbosch. He believes that winning a few close matches could help him regain confidence and improve his ranking. He also mentioned that if he finishes the year around 15th in the world, he might be more concerned.

Bonzi’s Perspective

Benjamin Bonzi, theWorld No. 64, described his win against Medvedev as special, marking his first top-10 win at a Grand Slam. Bonzi stated that he loves playing at Wimbledon, and that he was happy with his performance.

Key Stats From the Match

Bonzi’s victory marked only the second time in his career that he has beaten a top-10 player. Bonzi’s precision and strong serves were key to his victory.

Looking Ahead

Despite the early exit and the racket-smashing display, Medvedev remains focused on the future and the upcoming hard court season. He hopes to regain his form and climb back up the rankings.