LONDON — One week ago, Solana Sierra was packing her bags, her Wimbledon dreams seemingly over after falling in the final round of qualifying. Today, the 21-year-old Argentine is the talk of the tournament, scripting one of the most improbable runs in recent Grand Slam history as a "lucky loser" who has stormed into the fourth round.
Sierra, ranked No. 118 in the world, was granted a reprieve when 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu withdrew due to a wrist injury, opening a spot in the main draw. Since then, she has seized the opportunity with fearless tennis, defeating three seeded players—including No. 12 Qinwen Zheng—to become the first lucky loser to reach the last 16 at Wimbledon since 2019.
"It's crazy," Sierra admitted in her post-match press conference after her third-round victory. "Seven days ago, I was crying in the locker room thinking my tournament was done. Now, I have four room keys because I keep extending my stay. I don’t even know what to say—this is a dream."
The Lucky Loser Lottery
Lucky losers—players who lose in qualifying but gain entry due to late withdrawals—are rare success stories in Grand Slams. Before Sierra, only five had reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in the Open Era, with none advancing further. Her run is even more remarkable given her inexperience on grass; prior to this fortnight, she had never won a main-draw match on the surface.
Sierra’s path to the last 16:
- Defeated No. 32 Leylah Fernandez in three sets (6-4, 3-6, 6-3)
- Overcame No. 12 Qinwen Zheng in a thrilling tiebreak (7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4)
- Dominated qualifier Olga Danilović in straight sets (6-2, 6-1)
A Star Rises in Argentina
Sierra’s breakthrough has electrified Argentina, a nation traditionally more invested in clay-court tennis. The last Argentine woman to reach Wimbledon’s second week was Paola Suárez in 2004. "She’s rewriting history," said former player Gabriela Sabatini. "Her fearlessness reminds me of a young me—except I never did this on grass!"
Her coach, former ATP pro Juan Ignacio Chela, credits her rapid adaptation to a tactical shift: "We worked on shortening her backswing for the grass. She’s hitting flatter, taking time away, and trusting her serve. It’s paying off."
The Mental Game
Sports psychologist Dr. Carla Rossi, who has worked with Sierra since 2022, revealed the player’s resilience stems from a unique mindset. "Solana visualizes every match as a ‘bonus round.’ No expectations, just freedom. That’s why pressure doesn’t faze her."
This mentality was evident in her win over Zheng, where she saved three set points in the first-set tiebreak. "I kept telling myself, ‘You’re playing with house money.’ That relaxed me," Sierra said.
What’s Next?
Sierra faces No. 8 seed Markéta Vondroušová in the fourth round, a rematch of their 2023 French Open clash won by the Czech. "I know her game," Sierra said. "But grass is different. I’ll keep swinging—why stop now?"
With £226,000 in prize money already secured—nearly doubling her career earnings—Sierra is guaranteed to break into the Top 80. A win over Vondroušová would make her the first lucky loser to reach a Slam quarterfinal since 2020.
Conclusion
Sierra’s Cinderella story underscores the unpredictability of sports. As Wimbledon’s official Twitter account posted: "From lucky loser to history maker—Solana Sierra is the heartbeat of this Championships."
For a player who nearly missed the tournament entirely, Sierra’s run is a testament to perseverance. As she put it: "Tennis is crazy. One minute you’re out, the next you’re signing autographs on Court 18. I’ll remember this forever."