Aryna Sabalenka, a top contender at Wimbledon, has announced her withdrawal from the tournament due to a persistent shoulder injury. The two-time Australian Open champion, seeded third at the All England Club, was scheduled to face Emina Bektas in the first round on Day 1.
Sabalenka expressed her disappointment on social media, stating, “Heartbroken to have to tell you all that I won’t be able to play The Championships this year. I tried everything to get myself ready but unfortunately my shoulder is not cooperating.” She explained that pushing herself to the limit in practice only aggravated the injury, forcing her to withdraw. “This tournament means so much to me and I promise I’ll be back stronger than ever next year,” she added.
Sabalenka was considered a strong contender for the women’s championship at Wimbledon, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. She had reached the semifinals at the All England Club in the past two years and was replaced in the draw by Erika Andreeva.
The injury first surfaced during the Berlin Ladies Open a week prior, when Sabalenka was forced to retire from her quarterfinal match due to shoulder pain. Despite undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, the injury persisted.
Sabalenka’s powerful serve and forehand, which have been instrumental in her success on faster surfaces, were particularly affected by the injury. “The most annoying thing is that I can do anything. I can practice; I can hit my groundstrokes. I’m struggling with serving. That’s really annoying. You don’t feel like you’re injured,” she said.
The 26-year-old Belarusian, who briefly held the No. 1 ranking in the WTA last season, is currently ranked No. 3. Her absence at Wimbledon is a significant blow to the tournament, which has also seen other withdrawals including Ekaterina Alexandrova due to an unspecified illness.
Sabalenka’s withdrawal highlights the unpredictable nature of professional sports and the impact of injuries on athletes’ careers. Her focus now shifts to recovery and ensuring she returns to peak form for future competitions.
