Wimbledon 2025 Day One Drama: Fritz and Zverev Matches Suspended Due to Curfew
The opening day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships delivered everything fans could have hoped for—thrilling comebacks, shock upsets, and high-stakes drama under the scorching London sun. But as night fell at the All England Club, frustration mounted when two marquee matches were halted due to Wimbledon’s strict 11 p.m. local curfew.
Taylor Fritz, the No. 5 seed and top-ranked American, staged a remarkable comeback against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard after dropping the first two sets. With the match deadlocked at two sets apiece and tension rising for a dramatic fifth set, play was abruptly suspended. Fans who had stayed late, eager for a conclusion, were left disappointed as the curfew took precedence over the final outcome.
A similar fate befell the match on No. 1 Court, where third seed Alexander Zverev was battling Arthur Rinderknech. The match was finely balanced at one set apiece when officials were forced to pause play. Both matches will resume on Day Two, adding an unexpected wrinkle to the tournament’s early schedule.
Earlier in the day, two-time Wimbledon champion and reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz was pushed to his limits by 38-year-old veteran Fabio Fognini. The Spaniard, widely seen as one of the top contenders this year, had to dig deep to edge out the Italian in five taxing sets. Alcaraz’s ability to withstand pressure and find solutions during tight moments showcased why he remains a favorite to defend his title.
While Alcaraz survived his opener, several other high seeds weren’t as fortunate. Holger Rune (8), Daniil Medvedev (9), Francisco Cerúndolo (16), and Stefanos Tsitsipas (24) all suffered shocking first-round exits, sending shockwaves through the men’s draw. The early departures of these top players have already begun to reshape the tournament’s potential pathways, opening doors for dark horses and unseeded threats.
In the women’s singles, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka handled her opening match with poise and authority. Despite soaring temperatures that reached 90°F (32°C), Sabalenka’s powerful groundstrokes and composed demeanor ensured a straight-sets victory, giving her a strong start to her 2025 Wimbledon campaign.
The drama on Day One has set the stage for what promises to be a compelling fortnight at SW19. With matches to be completed and storylines quickly unfolding, the only certainty at this year’s Wimbledon is unpredictability. Fans can expect more intensity and surprises as the tournament continues, with players eyeing their place in tennis history on the sport’s most iconic grass courts.