A Grand Slam champion can look completely out of the match after the opening set and still lift the trophy. The first set matters: it gives one player a lead, can expose a matchup problem and often sets the emotional tone. But it is only the start of a best-of-five men’s final—or a best-of-three women’s final. Champions who lose it can still change the pattern, settle down and take control.
Here are some memorable examples, along with what makes a comeback possible. The scores below are listed in set order, with the eventual champion first.
Grand Slam champions who lost the first set in a final
| Final | Champion | Opponent | Set score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Wimbledon, women | Venus Williams | Lindsay Davenport | 4–6, 7–6(4), 9–7 |
| 2012 Australian Open, men | Novak Djokovic | Rafael Nadal | 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5), 7–5 |
| 2019 Wimbledon, men | Novak Djokovic | Roger Federer | 7–6(5), 1–6, 7–6(4), 4–6, 13–12(3) |
| 2020 US Open, women | Naomi Osaka | Victoria Azarenka | 1–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
| 2021 French Open, men | Novak Djokovic | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 6–7(6), 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4 |
| 2022 Australian Open, men | Rafael Nadal | Daniil Medvedev | 2–6, 6–7(5), 6–4, 6–4, 7–5 |
| 2022 Wimbledon, women | Elena Rybakina | Ons Jabeur | 3–6, 6–2, 6–2 |
| 2023 Wimbledon, men | Carlos Alcaraz | Novak Djokovic | 1–6, 7–6(6), 6–1, 3–6, 6–4 |
These finals show different kinds of recovery. Osaka found her level after a poor opening against Azarenka. Rybakina adjusted to Jabeur’s variety and took charge of the rallies. Djokovic and Nadal had to solve the problem over five sets, with Nadal’s 2022 Australian Open victory especially striking: he came back from two sets down, not just one.
Why losing the first set is not the end
A set is a useful snapshot, but it does not always tell the whole story. A player might lose it after a handful of key points go the wrong way, while still serving well or creating chances on return. Another might win it by playing at an unsustainably high level. The score matters, but so does the route to that score.
There is also time to adapt. In a best-of-five match, the player who loses the first set can still win three of the next four. That gives both competitors more opportunity to test ideas, read serving patterns and adjust to the court. Best-of-three matches allow less room for recovery, so an early deficit can feel more urgent.
The famous 2019 Wimbledon final is a reminder that a match can swing repeatedly. Djokovic lost the first set to Federer, then won the second, before the pair traded sets again. Federer even held two championship points on his serve in the fifth. Djokovic’s title did not come from one simple tactical fix; he stayed composed through a series of pressure moments and won the deciding tiebreak.
What champions change after a slow start
They target the pattern, not just the score
Good players look for a practical adjustment. If an opponent is dictating from the baseline, the answer might be to hit deeper, take the ball earlier or change direction less often until a shorter ball appears. Against a strong server, the returner may move position or focus on putting more returns in play. Small changes can make the next set feel very different.
At the 2022 Wimbledon final, Jabeur used changes of pace and slices to disrupt Rybakina early. Rybakina’s response was to strike more firmly and make the rallies less comfortable for her opponent. Once she began taking control of the exchanges, she won the next two sets. The comeback was not a matter of simply hitting harder; it was about finding a more effective way to use her power.
They manage their emotions
A player who loses the first set may feel pressure to win the next game immediately. That can lead to rushed shots, risky returns or frustration after a missed opportunity. Champions often slow the match down mentally: focus on the next service game, breathe between points and avoid treating every rally as a crisis.
Osaka’s 2020 US Open final illustrates that kind of reset. After losing the first set 6–1, she did not need to produce a perfect shot on every point. She steadied her game, made the contest more physical and took the next two sets. One set can be a jolt; it does not have to become a spiral.
They keep believing the match is still available
Belief is not a substitute for tactics, but it helps players keep using them when the comeback is difficult. Nadal’s 2022 Australian Open final was an extraordinary example. Down two sets to Medvedev, he continued competing for every return and gradually made the match more demanding. The fifth set was tense, but Nadal’s willingness to stay in it gave him the chance to turn the contest around.
Venus Williams’ 2005 Wimbledon final offers another example of endurance. After losing the first set to Davenport, she saved herself in a second-set tiebreak and won a long final set, 9–7. A comeback does not always arrive through a dramatic tactical overhaul. Sometimes it comes from protecting a serve, taking a crucial tiebreak and continuing to handle pressure better as the match wears on.
How to read a first-set loss as a fan
Rather than assuming the match is over, watch for signs that the losing player is getting closer. Are their return games lasting longer? Are they reaching more of the opponent’s first serves? Have they stopped giving away easy errors? Are they making the opponent hit one more ball? Those changes may matter more than a single break of serve.
Also pay attention to the surface and the matchup. A fast court can make a strong server difficult to break once they settle in; a slower surface may give a persistent baseliner more time to extend rallies. Fatigue, injury and pressure can shift the balance too. There is no guaranteed comeback formula, and a champion can lose the first set and still go on to lose the match. The point is that the first set is evidence—not a verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a player win a Grand Slam final after losing the first set?
Yes. It has happened in both men’s and women’s finals. Examples include Djokovic at the 2021 French Open, Osaka at the 2020 US Open, and Rybakina at Wimbledon in 2022.
Has a champion come back from two sets down in a Grand Slam final?
Yes. Rafael Nadal came back from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open final. It is a much bigger recovery than winning after dropping only the opening set.
Is losing the first set more damaging in women’s matches?
Not necessarily, but Grand Slam women’s singles matches are best-of-three sets, so there is less time to recover than in men’s best-of-five matches. A player who loses the first set must win both remaining sets.
What should I look for after a player loses the first set?
Watch for changes in return position, rally length, shot selection and unforced errors. If the player is creating more pressure on serve and making the opponent work harder, the match may be shifting even before the score shows it.
Final Thoughts
Losing the first set puts a Grand Slam champion under pressure, but it does not erase their chances. The best comebacks combine patience with adaptation: a player identifies what is going wrong, makes the match more manageable and stays composed long enough for the new plan to work. From Osaka’s sharp recovery to Nadal’s five-set epic in Melbourne, these matches show why the opening set is a beginning—not a prediction.
