The Berlin Open has been plagued by injuries and illness, with a string of top-10 players forced to withdraw from the tournament. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 2, became the latest high-profile casualty, retiring from her quarter-final match against Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya due to shoulder pain. This marked the first time in her WTA Tour career that Sabalenka had retired from a match due to injury. Sabalenka was trailing 5-1 in the opening set when she was forced to withdraw.
Kalinskaya, who benefitted from two walkovers after Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova slipped and fell during their last-16 match, forcing her to retire, has reached the semi-finals.
Ons Jabeur, the world No. 6, also retired from her quarter-final match against Coco Gauff due to illness. The Tunisian was seen getting her temperature checked before she withdrew after a grueling 72-minute opening set that Gauff won 7-6(9). Gauff expressed sympathy for Jabeur, saying, “It doesn’t feel like a win, especially because we had such a great first set. I wish Ons the best. I think it’s something that’s just going to happen today and she’ll feel better tomorrow. I think she’ll be strong at Wimbledon.”
The withdrawals of Sabalenka and Jabeur follow the earlier retirements of Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova. Rybakina withdrew on Friday due to illness, while Vondrousova sustained an injury during her last-16 match.
The string of withdrawals has cast a shadow over the tournament, raising concerns about the health of the players and the impact on the competition. The Berlin Open, a prestigious grass-court event, has been a major draw for top players in the build-up to Wimbledon. However, the recent spate of injuries and illnesses has disrupted the tournament, leaving fans and organizers disappointed.
