Unseeded Marketa Vondrousova wins Wimbledon women’s championship, defeating Ons Jabeur
Unseeded Marketa Vondrousova wins Wimbledon women’s championship, defeating Ons Jabeur LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic falls to the floor as she celebrates winning match point in the Women's Singles Final against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
By Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
LONDON — History was made Saturday at the Wimbledon women’s championship as Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova, who was ranked 42nd, defeated 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-4, according to The Associated Press.
Left-hander Vondrousova, 24, was the first unseeded woman to reach the final at the All England Club in 60 years, according to the AP. The last was 1963 runner-up Billie Jean King. King was in the front row of the Royal Box Saturday with Princess of Wales Kate Middleton.
Vondrousova, the world’s No. 42, played her first grand slam final Saturday, CNN reported.
She became one of the most unlikely Wimbledon champions Saturday, according to The New York Times.
This has not happened since 2018 when Serena Williams No. 181 reached the Wimbledon final, according to CNN.
This is Vondrousova’s first Grand Slam title, according to the AP.
Vondrousova last year at Wimbledon was in a cast after having left wrist surgery, according to the AP.
Wimbledon on Twitter said that Vondrousova is the first-ever unseeded Wimbledon ladies’ singles champion.
Jabeur started the match fast and held on to a 4-2 lead against Vondrousova in the first set, the Times reported. Jabeur was down a set and lost her serve forcing her to start second. Vondrousova made sure to keep the ball in play.
Jabeur even eventually had a lead in the second set 3-1 but she struggled and sent balls into the middle of hte net, according to the newspaper.
Saturday’s loss is Jabeur’s second straight loss in the Wimbledon final, according to the Times. She has lost the last five Grand Slam finals.
Wimbledon women’s championship 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic (R) interacts with her opponent following her victory in the Women's Singles Final against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Wimbledon women’s championship 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Ons Jabeur of Tunisia plays a forehand during the Women's Singles Final against Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Wimbledon women’s championship 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic plays a backhand during the Women's Singles Final against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Wimbledon women’s championship 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Catherine, Princess of Wales (L) and Founding President of the Women's Tennis Association, Billie Jean King (R) are seen in the Royal Box ahead of the Women's Singles Final between Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic and Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Wimbledon women’s championship 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic falls to the floor as she celebrates winning match point in the Women's Singles Final against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Wimbledon women’s championship 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic (R) embraces her opponent following her victory in the Women's Singles Final against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Wimbledon women’s championship 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Ons Jabeur of Tunisia is consoled by Catherine, Princess of Wales following defeat in the Women's Singles Final against Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Wimbledon women’s championship 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic is presented with the Women's Singles Trophy by Catherine, Princess of Wales following victory in the Women's Singles Final against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Wimbledon women’s championship 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic poses for a photo with the Women's Singles Trophy and Ons Jabeur of Tunisia with the Runner's Up Trophy following the Women's Singles Final on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Wimbledon women’s championship 2023 LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Marketa Vondrousova of Czech Republic smiles with the Women's Singles Trophy following her victory in the Women's Singles Final against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (Julian Finney/Getty Images)