Iga Swiatek, the world number one, was in tears after her surprise third-round exit at Wimbledon on Saturday. The 21-year-old Polish star was beaten 6-4 6-2 by Alize Cornet of France, who is ranked 37th in the world.
Swiatek had won 35 consecutive matches, the longest winning streak on the WTA Tour since Serena Williams won 34 in 2013. She was also the defending champion at Wimbledon, having won the title last year.
After the match, Swiatek said that she was feeling the pressure of being the world number one. “I felt like I was playing against myself,” she said. “I was feeling a lot of pressure, and I just couldn’t find my way to play my best tennis.”
Swiatek’s loss is a major upset at Wimbledon. She was the overwhelming favorite to win the title, and her exit leaves the tournament wide open.
Cornet, who is 32 years old, is the oldest woman to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon since Venus Williams in 2011. She will next face Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia.
Swiatek’s loss is a reminder that even the best players in the world are human and can be vulnerable. It is also a reminder that Wimbledon is a unpredictable tournament, and anything can happen.
