Laura Siegemund abandons doubles with Bia Haddad to focus on Aryna Sabalenka

Laura Siegemund’s surprising qualification for the Wimbledon 2025 singles quarterfinals prompted the 37-year-old German to make a strategic decision: withdraw from the doubles event, where she was partnered with Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia. The withdrawal, announced on Monday, July 7, prevented the pair from facing Russian Veronika Kudermetova and Belgian Elise Mertens in the round of 16. Siegemund chose to conserve energy for her match against world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka, scheduled for Tuesday, July 8, at the All England Club’s Centre Court. While understandable, the decision frustrated Bia Haddad, who ended her participation in the English Grand Slam. The move also affects the race for the WTA Finals, where the duo holds the seventh spot in the season’s rankings.

Siegemund’s journey in Wimbledon has been marked by remarkable victories. The unseeded player defeated heavyweights like American Madison Keys and Canadian Leylah Fernandez before overcoming Argentine Solana Sierra in straight sets on Sunday. Her campaign makes her the oldest player to reach the singles quarterfinals in the tournament’s Open Era, earning applause from the London crowd.

For Bia Haddad, the doubles elimination is a setback in an up-and-down season. The Brazilian, ranked 20th in WTA singles, had already lost in the second round of singles to Hungarian Dalma Galfi. Her partnership with Siegemund, however, was a highlight, with titles like the WTA 250 in Nottingham in June 2025. The German’s withdrawal, though strategic, halted their doubles progress and jeopardized their WTA Finals qualification.

• Key impacts of the withdrawal:
  • Bia Haddad ends her Wimbledon 2025 campaign.
  • Kudermetova and Mertens advance to the quarters without playing.
  • Bia/Siegemund duo may lose their seventh spot in the WTA Finals rankings.

German surprise at Wimbledon

Laura Siegemund, at 37, has become one of Wimbledon 2025’s biggest stories. Her singles campaign began with solid wins over Peyton Stearns (6-4, 6-2) and Leylah Fernandez (6-2, 6-3). In the third round, she pulled off an upset against sixth seed Madison Keys, winning 6-3, 6-3, converting five of 13 break point opportunities. Against Solana Sierra, Siegemund maintained her form, triumphing 6-3, 6-2, without dropping a set in the tournament so far.

Her experience has been a key factor. Unlike younger opponents, Siegemund combines tactical patience with precise shots, exploiting rivals’ weaknesses. Her versatility on grass, a surface that demands adaptation, has surprised even seasoned analysts.

Her next challenge, however, is formidable. Aryna Sabalenka, the world number 1, arrives undefeated in sets and with an aggressive game, marked by 36 winners in her fourth-round win over Elise Mertens. The Belarusian, seeking her first Wimbledon title, is the favorite with odds of -2800, per CBSSports, while Siegemund is an underdog at +1160.

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Impact on Bia Haddad’s journey

The doubles elimination was an unexpected blow for Beatriz Haddad Maia. The Brazilian, set to face Kudermetova and Mertens alongside Siegemund, saw her tournament hopes collapse without stepping on the court. The 11th-seeded duo had defeated British players Jodie Burrage and Sonay Kartal in the second round, 6-3, 6-1, in just 1h21.

Bia, who has won four WTA doubles titles, including two on grass, showed affinity for the surface. Her 2025 season, however, has been challenging. Injuries and ranking pressure affected her singles performance, where she couldn’t replicate past successes. In doubles, her partnership with Siegemund brought consistency, highlighted by the Nottingham title and a final at the WTA 500 in Adelaide in January 2025.

Siegemund’s withdrawal, though understandable, sparked mixed reactions among fans. On social media, supporters lamented Bia’s early exit, while others backed Siegemund’s choice, given her rare career moment. The Brazilian now shifts focus to preparing for upcoming tournaments, including the US Open, aiming to regain her form.

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WTA Finals race

Siegemund’s decision also impacts the season’s doubles rankings. Bia Haddad and the German hold the seventh spot in the WTA Finals race, which qualifies the top eight duos. Their Wimbledon exit opens the door for Luisa Stefani and Timea Babos, just behind in the rankings, to overtake them if they reach the tournament’s quarterfinals.

• Factors influencing qualification:
  • Consistent performance by Stefani and Babos at Wimbledon.
  • Bia and Siegemund’s results in future tournaments, like the US Open.
  • Points accumulated in grass-court events throughout 2025.

Doubles has been a strong point for Bia, who climbed to the top 35 in the category’s rankings. Despite the setback, she remains in contention for the Finals but will need strong results in the coming months.

Sabalenka’s rise on grass

Aryna Sabalenka, Siegemund’s quarterfinal opponent, is one of the tour’s most dominant players. The 27-year-old Belarusian defeated Elise Mertens 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) in the fourth round, securing her 10th straight win over her former doubles partner. Sabalenka hasn’t dropped a set in Wimbledon 2025, though she faced tiebreaks in three consecutive matches.

Her aggressive game, with powerful serves and precise winners, makes her a title favorite. The Belarusian, a 2019 US Open doubles champion with Mertens, is chasing her first grass-court Grand Slam. Her confidence is clear: “Anything is possible,” she told the BBC after beating Mertens.

Public and analyst reactions

Siegemund’s Wimbledon campaign has generated excitement among fans. During her match against Sierra, the announcement of her age (37) drew cheers, and the German quipped, “It’s not every day you get applause just for being old.” Her lightheartedness won over the crowd, who see her as an inspiration for veteran athletes.

Analysts, meanwhile, highlight the upcoming challenge. Sabalenka’s strength on grass, paired with Siegemund’s experience, promises a clash of contrasting styles. For the German, the match is a chance to cement her historic run, while Sabalenka aims to stay on track for the semifinals.

Siegemund’s strategies for the matchup

Siegemund faces a tactical challenge against Sabalenka. Known for her court intelligence, the German must rely on pace variations and slices to counter the Belarusian’s aggressive play. Her ability to read opponents was key against Keys and Fernandez, but Sabalenka presents a higher-level test.

The German has avoided tiebreaks and not lost a set in Wimbledon, signaling her consistency. However, the match’s physical intensity could be a hurdle, especially after withdrawing from doubles to save energy.

Women’s doubles landscape at Wimbledon

Siegemund’s withdrawal directly benefited Kudermetova and Mertens, who advanced to the quarters without playing. The eighth-seeded duo is among the title favorites, with Mertens bringing experience from her US Open win with Sabalenka. The women’s doubles event remains competitive, with Luisa Stefani and Timea Babos still in contention, carrying Brazilian hopes.

Historic moment for Siegemund

At 37, Laura Siegemund is experiencing her best Wimbledon run. Her campaign matches her career-best Grand Slam result, the Roland Garros quarterfinals in 2020. The German, once a top-30 singles player, has found a stage to shine on London’s grass, defying expectations and proving experience can outshine youth.

The match against Sabalenka, set for 9:30 AM (Brasília time) on Tuesday, will be a milestone in Siegemund’s career, regardless of the outcome. For Bia Haddad, the focus now is recovery for upcoming challenges, as fans await the rest of the 2025 season.