The 2025 grasscourt season is underway with top players competing at notable events including the Queen’s Club Championships in London, the Stuttgart Open, and the Rosmalen Grass Court Championships. This year marks a historic moment as the Queen’s Club hosts a WTA event for the first time in over five decades. However, several high-profile players, including Bernarda Pera, faced surprising early exits, signaling a challenging start to their grasscourt campaigns.
Prominent Upsets Shake the Rosmalen and Queen’s Club Events
Liudmila Samsonova, the highest seed at the Rosmalen Championships, was ousted in the opening round by Carson Branstine, succumbing 6-4, 5-7, 6-1. Similarly, Barbora Krejcikova had a difficult debut at the Queen’s Club, losing in straight sets to Rebecca Sramkova, 6-4, 6-3. These early reversals reflect the unpredictable nature of the grasscourt season and the tough competition players face in the lead-up to Wimbledon.
Karolina Muchova’s Inconsistent Form Continues on Grass
At the Queen’s Club, Karolina Muchova battled through the first round with a solid win over Maddison Inglis but was ultimately defeated in a three-set match by the experienced Tatjana Maria, 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-1. Muchova’s season has been uneven, with only semifinal appearances in Linz and Dubai standing out. She has lost three of her last five matches, highlighting the urgency for her to elevate her game as the grasscourt swing progresses.
Bernarda Pera’s Grasscourt Season Hampered by Early Setback
Bernarda Pera entered Rosmalen following a respectable third-round appearance in Paris and a second-round showing in Madrid, where she fell to Beatriz Haddad Maia in three sets. Despite starting her grasscourt campaign with a confident victory over Magda Linette, Pera encountered difficulties against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, losing 6-1, 7-6(4) in the second round. The 30-year-old American, who reached the third round at Wimbledon last year, will be eager to improve her Bernarda Pera performance in 2025 grasscourt season as she looks to regain momentum in the coming weeks.
Jordan Thompson and Arthur Rinderknech Also Face Form Challenges
Jordan Thompson has endured a subdued start to 2025, with a third-round finish in Miami being his standout result. After suffering early defeats in Rome and Paris, he secured a first-round win over Aleksander Kovacevic at Rosmalen but was ultimately outplayed by Gabriel Diallo in a three-set loss, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5. Once one of the most consistent players last year, Thompson’s struggle to find form could impact his prospects at Wimbledon.
Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech has similarly struggled with consistency throughout the season. Despite reaching the second round in Delray Beach, Madrid, and Geneva, his performance has been erratic. At the Boss Open, he stunned fifth seed Denis Shapovalov in the first round but was decisively beaten by Marton Fucsovics, 7-6(4), 6-3, in the next round. Such results demonstrate the uneven form displayed by many players on grass this year.
Upcoming Matches and Players to Watch in the Grasscourt Season
The second rounds at Queen’s Club, Stuttgart, and Rosmalen will continue on Thursday, featuring anticipated appearances from leading names such as Emma Raducanu, Bianca Andreescu, and Alexander Zverev. Their performances will be closely monitored as the grasscourt season intensifies and players seek to build confidence ahead of Wimbledon.