Tiafoe not surprised at Wimbledon seeds exodus

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Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2025 Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. in action during his second round match against Britains Cameron Norrie REUTERS/Toby Melville

LONDON - American Frances Tiafoe became yet another seeded casualty at Wimbledon on Wednesday but said no one should be surprised at the number of top names to depart in the mens singles.

Thirteen of the top 32 mens seeds failed to survive the first round this year -- a Wimbledon record -- and although Tiafoe managed to avoid that fate, he was then beaten 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-5 by Britains 61st-ranked Cameron Norrie.

Tiafoe, twice a U.S. Open semi-finalist, said the depth in the mens game now meant the days of being able to cruise through the early rounds of Grand Slams was over, adding that Wimbledon was especially treacherous.

I mean, grass is a tricky surface. The game is getting much deeper. You have to think, not so long ago Cam (Norrie) made the semi-finals here, and now Im playing him the second round, the 27-year-old told reporters.

You have floaters like that, and then you have some young guys playing well. The game is just really tough. Its not like how it used to be where you can kind of, I mean, quote, unquote, get to your seedings (spot) easier.

Now a lot of guys you dont even know come out and play, and by the time you know