Russian tennis player Ekaterina Alexandrova, seeded 22nd, has withdrawn from Wimbledon ahead of her opening-round match against Emma Raducanu on Monday. The 29-year-old, whose best performance at the All England Club came in 2022 when she reached the fourth round, has been forced to pull out due to illness.
Alexandrova’s withdrawal opens the door for Mexican player Renata Zarazua, who was a lucky loser, to take her place in the main draw. Zarazua will now face Raducanu in what will be a significant opportunity for the Mexican player.
British hope Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is looking to make a strong showing at Wimbledon. Last year, she was absent from the tournament due to surgery on her hands and ankle. In her previous Wimbledon appearances, the 21-year-old has never advanced beyond the fourth round. This year, she will be looking to improve on that performance and make a deep run in the tournament. With her opponent’s withdrawal, Raducanu will now have a chance to begin her Wimbledon campaign with a win.
