Worst Swiss performance in nine years
Are we now threatened with a dry spell at Wimbledon?
At this year’s Wimbledon, no Swiss tennis ace made it to the third round. This was last the case in 2013. Is that a cause for concern?
Published: 07/01/2022 at 17:37
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Updated: 07/01/2022 at 10:50 p.m
Nine years ago, Roger Federer (40) traveled to Wimbledon as the defending champion. After moving effortlessly into the second round, he was surprisingly defeated by Sergej Stachowski (36) in four sets. It was the last time that no Swiss was in the third round of the lawn major. Until now.
In addition to Federer, Stan Wawrinka was also over early at the time: Out after the first round. And Stefanie Vögele (32, lost to Sorana Cirstea) and Romina Oprandi (36, had to give up against Alison Riske) didn’t get past round 1 in the women’s either.
From the Swiss point of view, there was no reason for unrest at the time. A few weeks earlier, Wawrinka was back in the top 10 in the world, and as is well known, he still had the prime of his career ahead of him. Federer was held back by back problems but reached the final four more times, winning Wimbledon for the eighth time in 2017.
Is there a dry spell?
Do Swiss tennis fans have to worry this time? Is there even a longer dry spell? The biggest ace at the moment remains Belinda Bencic. Although the Olympic champion hasn’t been able to tear a huge rope with the big ones in the lawn major, at the age of 25 she ideally still has a few expenses ahead of her.
The winner of the Wimbledon junior tournament was in good form before she injured her Achilles tendon in Berlin. The suboptimal preparation resulted in the bitter defeat against Qiang Wang. Henri Laaksonen (30) was also only able to train to a limited extent due to a wrist injury.
Jil Teichmann (24), who made it to the round of 16 at the French Open, only competed at Wimbledon for the second time. So far she has achieved her best results on clay and hard courts, but she will probably have to get used to the sacred grass. Viktorija Golubic (29) showed last year what she can do on Church Road. This year she failed because of a resurgent Barbora Krejcikova.
Wawrinka wants to catch up, newcomers hope
For Wawrinka, Wimbledon remains the only Grand Slam he hasn’t won. After his comeback, the Lausanne native continues to work towards his desired form.
Ylena In-Albon (23), Alexander Ritschard (28) and Marc-Andrea Hüsler (26) sniffed major air for the first time. Ritschard in particular was able to convince with his performance against Stefanos Tsitsipas. For them it is now about being able to position themselves regularly in the Grand Slam main field.
Other aces could soon follow from the junior level. Kilian Feldbausch, Céline Naef (both 16), Mika Brunold (17), Chelsea Fontenel (18) and Dylan Dietrich (17) will play for the Wimbledon title from Saturday.
