Iga Świątek Loses Wimbledon Title Defence

Iga Świątek's Wimbledon title defence came to an end on July 5, 2026, with a 7-6, 6-2 loss to Alexandra Eala. The Polish player was defeated by the 21-year-old Filipino in the third round.

What happened?

The match saw Eala save two set points in the first-set tiebreaker, eventually winning 7-6. She then took the second set 6-2, securing her place in the fourth round.

The left-handed Eala dropped to her knees and rolled onto her back on Centre Court after hitting a forehand winner on her third match point. This win marked a historic moment for the Philippines, as Eala became the first Filipino player to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles tournament.

Why it matters for Iga Świątek

Iga Świątek's loss means she will not be able to defend her Wimbledon title this year. The third-seeded Świątek had earned her first Wimbledon women's title a year ago when she beat Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the final.

Eala, who has trained in Mallorca at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy, gained worldwide support last year on her breakthrough run to the Miami Open semifinals, which included an upset of Świątek. This win against Świątek is another significant milestone in her career.

What comes next?

Eala will next face 13th-seeded Jasmine Paolini for a spot in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. The match is scheduled to take place on Monday.

In another upset, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina was defeated by Elise Mertens 7-6, 6-1. At number two, Rybakina is the highest seed on the women's side to be eliminated. Her loss ensures that Aryna Sabalenka will keep her number one ranking after the tournament.

The Wimbledon tournament continues, with several matches scheduled to take place in the coming days. Iga Świątek's loss is a significant upset, but the tournament is far from over, with many exciting matches still to come.