Early exit of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic forced me to look for the biggest upsets in Tennis and also search if any underdog has won the Grand Slam. Going down the history was interesting as many as more than 25 biggest defeats were recorded in the era. If we go by all the top Tennis players whose defeats created more sensation, up there lie the shocking defeats of Andre Agassi & Rafael Nadal. Below is the glimpse of few biggest upsets in Tennis ever:
Rafael Nadal and his shock exits
Rafael Nadal has some listings in getting defeated by low key players (Image Credit: Philstar)
Previous to this year’s Australian Open shock defeats, who’s defeat made sensation on the court was my favorite Rafael Nadal. In 2014 Nadal was shown the exit door in fourth round by then world no. 144 Nick Kyrgios in fourth round. 2015 Wimbledon was a repeat when Nadal made an early exit in the second round. Then world no. 102 Dustin Brown beat Nadal in four set 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. The early exit of Nadal in the first round of Wimbledon 2013 is also seen as another moment to recall in this context. Then world no. 135 Darcis of Belgium knocked out then fifth seed Nadal in straight game of 7-6, 7-6, 6-4. Another shocker in Nadal career was Wimbledon 2014 & 2015 where he made early exit.
This story of Nadal’s shock defeats doesn’t end here as he had very rough Wimbledon in 2012 when he was beaten by then world no. 100 Lukáš Rosol of the Czech Republic in five set thriller 6-7(9-11), 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. The King of Clay also tasted the defeat in 2009 French Open. It was 23rd seed Robin Soderling who beat Nadal in another five set game of 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).
Pat Rafter's Shock defeat and Arrival of Goran Ivanisevic
Ivanisevic vs Rafter has always been recalled as one of the top upsets in Tennis. (Image Credit: CNN/Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Way down in 2001 it was Goran Ivanisevic who created a sensation by winning 2001 Wimbledon. The then world No. 126 became the first wildcard entrant to win the Grand Slam by beating third seed Pat Rafter in five set game 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7. The lowest ranked player of the tournament won the Wimbledon to make his mark in the history.
Sergi Bruguera's loss and Gustavo Kuerten
Kuerten and his surprise win at the French Open 1997 is another listing in here. (Image Credit: Pinterest)
Another person who won the Grand Slam was Gustavo Kuerten in 1997. Then the world no. 66 Kuerten beat two time champion and 16th seed Sergi Bruguera in straight set of 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to won the French Open 1997. On his way to final the Brazilian Gustavo also defeated two other former champions, Thomas Muster and Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
Andre Agassi's shocking losses
Nadal and Agassi have their listing as the top seeds who lost more than other top seeds. (Image Credit: VacuPractor)
One of the biggest Wimbledon upset was in 1996 when Andre Agassi was beaten by Then World No, 281 Doug Flach in first round. Another moment came in US Open in 2000 when Agassi was defeated by Arnaud Clement in second round in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Next in Agassi career was Australian Open 1998 when then World No. 550th ranked Lleyton Hewitt (16yrs) beat him in the semifinal of the Adelaide International.
Andre Agassi's shocking losses
Her shock loss to Zina is something to be recalled in this context. (Image Credit: ESPN/Robert Riger/Getty Images)
Going down further in the history it was Zina Garrison who beat Steffi Graf and two-time Wimbledon Champion in 1990 to won the Grand Slam in straight set of 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
The story doesn’t end here, there are many interesting matched played between players and many other times the Tennis court was set on fire. Stick to the website to read more about interesting and biggest upset of Tennis.