Shocking! Multiple former US Open champions suffer first-round exits on opening day at Indian Wells.

Grand Slams are the pinnacle of tennis. Therefore, players who triumph at these events typically demonstrate strong ability. Yet, with the passage of time, several past major winners have seen their fortunes wane and their performance levels drop.

This was evident on March 5th, when three former Grand Slam champions fell in the first round of the Indian Wells Masters. Who are these players? What accolades have they achieved? And who defeated them on March 5th? Let this article provide the details.

Many fans are familiar with Croatian player Marin Čilić. As early as 2008, while still a teenager, he reached his first Grand Slam round of 16 at the Australian Open. That same year, Čilić strung together five consecutive wins at the ATP 250 event in New Haven to claim his maiden tour-level title.

2014 marked the peak of Čilić's career. He not only won three tour titles that year but also captured his first Grand Slam crown at the US Open. Notably, at that US Open, he defeated Roger Federer for the first time. Prior to that, he also had a losing record against Kei Nishikori. Given these facts, his major victory was hard-earned.

In 2024, Čilić, whose ranking had fallen beyond 770, won the ATP 250 event in Hangzhou, becoming the lowest-ranked player ever to win a tour title. On March 5th, at the Indian Wells Masters, he was defeated in straight sets by American player Alexei Shvydka. This marked his second first-round exit on tour since the 2026 season began.

Compared to Čilić, American player Sloane Stephens is somewhat less widely recognized. In 2013, she made a spirited run to her first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, capturing significant attention. In 2017, Stephens battled through the draw at the US Open to win her first major championship.

However, times have changed. Her ranking has now plummeted. In the first round of the WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells, Stephens, playing on a wild card, was thoroughly dominated by Colombian player Camila Osorio, winning only five games in the match before bowing out. Perhaps an era for Stephens has come to a close.

In 2019, Bianca Andreescu, not yet 20 years old, won the US Open and also claimed two WTA 1000 titles. Given her youth, many believed she was poised to dominate an era. However, since 2022, Andreescu has failed to reach another tour final. Recently, winning one ITF title and one Challenger title constituted her only two tournament victories since 2020.

In the first round of the WTA 1000 Indian Wells, facing Uzbek player Nigina Rafikova, Andreescu narrowly took the first set in a tiebreak. Despite seizing the early advantage, she then lost the next two sets, succumbing to a comeback defeat. She has now suffered two consecutive tour losses in the 2026 season, and her return to consistent tour-level play remains uncertain.

Three US Open champions, eliminated on the same day. Some persist, some struggle, some face uncertainty. The tennis world is notoriously unforgiving; after reaching the summit, every step forward is a challenge. That's today's tennis story. More to come tomorrow.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Yixin Jushi)