Wimbledon 2025: Wildcard Jack Pinnington Jones Shocks Etcheverry in First-Round Thriller
Pinnington Jones Delivers Big Wimbledon Shock
You rarely see a wildcard ranked outside the top 250 knocking out a seeded pro before the strawberries have gone soft at Wimbledon. But that’s exactly what happened this year on Court 17, as Jack Pinnington Jones gave fans a moment to remember. With his home crowd behind him, the 22-year-old British hopeful toppled Tomas Martin Etcheverry, the Argentine world number 53, in three tight sets: 7-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Pinnington Jones didn’t show a hint of nerves, even with Wimbledon’s intense first-round spotlight. He played with controlled aggression and real confidence, especially in the big moments. Sure, Etcheverry arrived with a higher ranking and the pressure of his first ever match at Wimbledon, but the Brit looked like he was the better grass-court natural from the start. The opening set was a tense affair, ending in a tiebreak as neither player gave up an inch on serve. Pinnington Jones nailed a series of booming deliveries, with his fastest serve hitting 222 km/h and averaging close to 200 on the first ball. Etcheverry answered with a few rockets of his own—his speed topped out at 218 km/h. But the Brit held his nerve in the clutch and edged the breaker.
How the Match Was Won
Once he had that first set in his pocket, Pinnington Jones relaxed and started to swing freer, capitalizing on his familiarity with the grass. He attacked the net, played some sharp slice returns, and hustled for tough gets that drew growing applause. Etcheverry, known for his consistency on clay, struggled to adjust to the surface and was caught off balance by Pinnington Jones’ variety of defensive shots and quick transitions.
Break chances were at a premium. Etcheverry had plenty of opportunities—13 break points in all—but only converted three, often failing to put second serves away. Pinnington Jones, on the other hand, carved out eight break chances and made one crucial break count just when it mattered. That stat alone underlined how clutch he was under pressure.
This match wasn’t just about serves and break points. The real difference came in how each player handled the big moments. Pinnington Jones drew on the energy of the crowd every time he faced a tight deuce or a game in the balance. He mixed up his game, showed soft hands at net, and forced Etcheverry out of his comfort zone. For a wildcard who’d lost their only previous meeting against Etcheverry, this was the kind of turnaround story the Wimbledon crowd loves.
This win could mark a real turning point for Pinnington Jones. Wimbledon has a history of homegrown players lighting up the draw, and his performance will have fans watching closely to see how far he can ride the wave. For Etcheverry, it’s a tough lesson in just how quickly things change when you step onto grass—and how dangerous an inspired local underdog can be.
Upsets like these give Grand Slams their drama. For a day, the world’s oldest tennis tournament felt new again, with the roar of Court 17 echoing a reminder: even underdog wildcards can rewrite scripts at Wimbledon.