Australian Open champion and world number three Aryna Sabalenka said on Monday she was “heartbroken” to have withdrawn from Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury.
“Heartbroken to have to tell you all that I won’t be able to play The Championships this year,” 26-year-old Sabalenka wrote on X.
“I tried everything to get myself ready but unfortunately my shoulder is not cooperating. This tournament means so much to me and I promise I’ll be back stronger than ever next year.”
Sabalenka, a two-time semi-finalist at the All England Club, is replaced in the draw by Russian lucky loser Erika Andreeva, who will face American qualifier Emina Bektas in the first round.
Sabalenka had hinted at the weekend that she may be forced to pull out after suffering the injury at the recent Berlin tournament.
“I’m not 100 percent fit now,” admitted the Belarusian.
When asked on Saturday if there was a chance she may withdraw, she said: “There is always a chance, yeah.”
“It’s really a specific injury, and it’s really a rare one.”
Sabalenka is one of seven players to have withdrawn from the tournament since the draw was made on Friday.
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoSaudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco and world football governing body FIFA on Thursday...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 3 months agoSon scores but Thailand hold South Korea in World Cup qualifier
Son Heung-min scored but South Korea were held 1-1 at home by Thailand in...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 4 months agoJapan-N. Korea World Cup game to stay in Pyongyang, JFA says
Japan’s World Cup qualifier against North Korea will be played in Pyongyang as planned...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 4 months agoGerman ex-FA bosses on trial over World Cup tax evasion
Three German ex-top football officials went on trial on Monday in a 13.7-million-euro ($14.8...
By AFP