Wimbledon scores today as Marketa Vondrousova beats Ons Jabeur in women’s final

By Kieran Jackson on Centre Court

Note to all: sporting fairytales are a rare occurrence. Don’t be fooled by Lionel Messi’s World Cup triumph in Qatar – that was an anomaly. Usually, when the pressure cooker is at its highest and the burden of history is barely a fingertip away, it can all get a little bit too much. And ultimately, it all proved too much for Ons Jabeur on Saturday, with Marketa Vondrousova the women’s singles champion at Wimbledon 2023.

The World No 42 – the first unseeded woman to win the ladies singles in its long history – had a bet with her coach that he will have to get the Wimbledon badge tattooed on his body if she won the title. Whether Jan Mertl will be deep down regretting that decision now is a moot point. The Czech 24-year-old, in beating five seeds in seven rounds, has pulled off one of the all-time shock streaks this past fortnight at the All England Club. In the split-second of victory, with one final volley into the open court, she glanced to her box before collapsing to the ground.

There’s a Brit in action in the men’s doubles final right now on Centre Court!

Neal Skupski and his Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof are currently 6-4 4-2 up against 15th seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zaballos.

What goes into the making of a classic Wimbledon final? Go through the illustrious list of men’s singles champions at the All England Club and their signature triumphs are all defined by a historic final moment, enhanced by the records that were on the line and enriched by an opponent of legendary status on the other side of the net. On Sunday, Novak Djokovic will play Carlos Alcaraz in a Wimbledon final that has it all, a moment in time that could end up as one for the ages. “I think this is probably the best final that we could have had,” Djokovic agreed.

The two best players in the world will meet in a showpiece that spans generations: at 36, Djokovic will bid to join Roger Federer by winning a men’s record eighth singles crown and 24th grand slam title. Alcaraz, at 20, is through to his first Wimbledon final, a destination that was beyond the world No 1’s wildest expectations just weeks ago. It is the widest age gap between two men’s grand slam finalists in 48 years and the young Spaniard is now faced with the toughest challenge in tennis; Djokovic has won 34 consecutive matches at Wimbledon, he has not lost in SW19 since 2017, and not on Centre Court since 2013.

There have been a string of surprise slam winners in a period of flux for the women’s game but Wimbledon had been the exception until now, with Czech Vondrousova taking advantage of a nervous performance from Jabeur to claim a 6-4 6-4 victory.

The irony is it comes at a time when a new big three comprising of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and last year’s Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina have established themselves at the top of the game.

Marketa Vondrousova emerges onto the balcony to lift the trophy in front of a huge crowd of people outside Centre Court.

At the start of the year, she had only won two matches on grass in her career, now she’s the Wimbledon champion. What an incredible story.

Reaction from the Wimbledon champion, Marketa Vondrousova, who spoke on Centre Court: “I don’t really know what’s happening right now, it’s an amazing feeling.

“Ons congratulations, you are such an inspiration to all of us. I hope you will win one day, you are an amazing person. Congratulations to the team.

“After everything I have been through, I had a cast last time, it’s amazing I can stand here and hold this. Tennis is crazy.”

She added: “I don’t know how I’ve done it. The comebacks are not easy you never know what to expect. I was hoping I could comeback to this level and now I am here.

“I want to thank my box, all you guys are amazing, my little sister is crying up there.

“It’s amazing [that her husband came over for the final], tomorrow is our first anniversary of our wedding. It’s amazing to have you guys being here with me. I have enjoyed the two weeks so much. It was exhausting but I am so grateful and proud of myself.

“I made a bet with my coach. He said if I win a Grand Slam he’s going to get [a tattoo] also. So I think we’re going to go tomorrow!

“I think I’m going to have some beer maybe. It was an exhausting two weeks, and I was getting myself together the last few days. I was so nervous before this game. Thank you so much guys for the support and coming here.”

Ons Jabeur leaves Centre Court to more applause. She promised to come back and win the title.

“I want to say congratulations to Marketa and her team for this amazing tournament,” said the Tunisian in her post match interveiw, “You are an amazing player and I know you had a lot of injuries so I am very happy for you.

“I think this is the most painful loss of my career. It’s going to be a tough day for me today. I’m not going to give up. I’m going to come back stronger and win a Grand Slam one day.

“It was an amazing tournament for me. I wished I continued to the end. I want to thank my team for always believing in me. We are going to make it one day, I promise you.

“Thank you for coming, cheering for me, the energy is amazing from day one at Wimbledon. I appreciate your support. It’s been a tough journey but that’s tennis. I promise I will come back one day and win this tournament.”

Marketa Vondrousova congratulates her opponent on a brilliant tournament before adding: “I was in a cast last year. This is crazy.”

In her post match interview, Ons Jabeur calls this defeat ‘the most painful loss of my career’. She starts to break down in tears before regaining herself and congratulating her opponent on a well deserved victory.

Jabeur thanks the members of her team that helped her get this far before promising to come to Wimbledon even stronger and eventually win the tourament.

Ons Jabeur is still well loved at Wimbldeon. She is given a raucous ovation as she collects the runners-up trophy from the Princess of Wales.

Marketa Vondrousova is the first unseeded women’s champion at Wimbledon in the Open Era. She’s warmly applauded too and has a wide smile on her face when collecting the Venus Rosewater Dish.