Nicolás Jarry's journey at Wimbledon 2025 is one of resilience and triumph over adversity. The Chilean, currently ranked No. 143 in the world, has battled his way into the fourth round, overcoming not only his opponents but also a debilitating health condition that threatened to derail his career.
Jarry's recent struggles stem from vestibular neuritis, a nerve disorder in his ear that causes vertigo, dizziness, and difficulty maintaining balance. This condition, triggered by inflammation of the vestibular nerve, significantly impacted his performance, causing his ranking to plummet after reaching a career-high of No. 16 in May 2024. "It's impossible to play with this," Jarry admitted, highlighting the immense challenges he faced.
Despite the ongoing battle with his health, Jarry has shown remarkable determination at Wimbledon. He had to fight through qualifying to earn his place in the main draw. In a stunning first-round upset, Jarry defeated eighth-seeded Holger Rune in five sets, after trailing two sets to love. This victory marked his first Grand Slam win since the 2023 US Open and was achieved with a remarkable display of power, including 31 aces and 63 winners. He followed this with a more straightforward win against Learner Tien in the second round.
In the third round, Jarry faced the rising Brazilian star Joao Fonseca in a thrilling all-South American encounter. Jarry's experience and composure proved decisive as he overcame Fonseca 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4). Jarry's powerful serve was a key weapon, as he fired 25 aces and was only broken once.
Jarry's success at Wimbledon is particularly poignant as he matches the achievement of his grandfather, Jaime Fillol, who reached the same stage in 1974. This milestone underscores the family's rich tennis heritage and adds another layer of significance to Jarry's inspiring run.
Looking ahead, Jarry is set to face the British player Cameron Norrie for a place in the quarter-finals. To prepare, Jarry relies on personal reflection to combat the mental struggles caused by vestibular neuritis. "Everything that I've learned on my journey [has helped me]," he explained. "It's talking, it's focusing on the right thing. It's working hard. It's accepting. It's praying".
Jarry's journey at Wimbledon 2025 is a testament to his resilience, mental fortitude, and unwavering dedication to the sport. Overcoming a challenging health condition and a significant drop in ranking, he has battled his way back to the top, showcasing his talent and determination on one of the world's most prestigious tennis stages.
