Wimbledon 2025: How Laura Siegemund celebrates her fairytale

Laura Siegemund threw her racket in the air, shook her head in disbelief, and formed a heart with her hands for the spectators. The 37-year-old braved the vagaries of thunderstorms and rain during her fairytale run at Wimbledon, reaching the singles quarterfinals of the grass-court classic for the first time in her career. Thanks to a composed performance, the Swabian prevailed in the round of 16 against underdog Solana Sierra of Argentina 6-3, 6-2.

Now she faces the toughest possible challenge against world number one Aryna Sabalenka. "She's one of the greatest and most aggressive players we have," said Siegemund. "The only good thing about the match is that I have absolutely nothing to lose." On court, she appeared overwhelmed by her success in the match, which she had entered as the favorite for the first time at this tournament. "That was my most difficult match. I'm just super happy," Siegemund enthused in her on-court interview.

When Siegemund was mentioned as the oldest remaining player, the audience gave her an extra round of applause. "It's not often you get such a compliment for being old," she said with a laugh. Siegemund is the oldest player in the history of professional tennis to reach her first Wimbledon quarterfinal.

After her triumph, she hugged her friend and coach Antonio Zucca, who was sitting in the stands. "We didn't expect this at all when we came here," the Italian told the German Press Agency. "She should just enjoy it now." Siegemund didn't let two long rain interruptions throw her off track.

She is now a member of Wimbledon's elite Last 8 Club, which, among other things, guarantees all quarterfinalists lifetime tickets. The Swabian also receives prize money of 400,000 British pounds (464,000 euros). "Sensational," said Rainer Schüttler, coach of the German women's tennis team. "Well-deserved, incredible play, mixed with slice, topspin, and drop shots. She didn't give her opponent any rhythm, sensational and perfect."

Siegemund had only once before reached the top eight in singles at a Grand Slam tournament: in 2020 at the French Open, she also lost as an unseeded player to Czech Petra Kvitova. "This is absolutely one of the greatest successes of my career, and on grass, too," she said before the round of 16.

The 21-year-old Sierra had already failed to qualify, but moved into the main draw due to the withdrawal of a player. She would have been the first lucky loser in professional women's tennis history to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam.

As Sierra's first serve landed, thunder rumbled across the grounds of the All England Club. The match was played on Court 2, the largest court at Wimbledon without a roof. After only four points, the rain began to fall heavily. The players briefly stayed on court until another flash of lightning sent them to the locker room.

The match resumed 77 minutes later. Siegemund broke serve immediately from her 16-year-younger opponent, but also immediately conceded the first break. A nervous match developed with numerous errors on both sides, and the players' importance of the match was clearly evident.

Siegemund presented herself more consistently, putting Sierra under pressure with a mix of fast and undercut shots. She scored the decisive break at 4-3, but after 48 minutes, the Argentinian's shot sailed out of bounds to end the first set. Sierra's 21 unforced errors were clearly too many.

Siegemund also had a successful start to the second half. "Very strong," she cheered herself after a successful shot. A few seconds later, the next thunderbolt followed—and the next forced break.

This time it lasted just under an hour, and the sun was shining when the game restarted. Siegemund immediately got back into the game and quickly took a 3-0 lead. Although Sierra fought back to avoid defeat, after 1:19 hours, Siegemund was able to celebrate.

She also has a chance to win a title in doubles, playing against Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia in the round of 16. She withdrew from the mixed doubles due to the triple burden. Siegemund has won three Grand Slam titles in her career: two in mixed doubles and one in doubles.

RND/dpa