The Berlin Open has been hit by a wave of withdrawals due to injuries and illness, with top-ranked players Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, Elena Rybakina, and Marketa Vondrousova all forced to retire from the tournament. The latest withdrawals have left fans and organizers concerned about the health of the players and the impact on the competition.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova was forced to retire injured from her second-round match in the Berlin Open, raising concerns about her fitness for the upcoming Wimbledon Championships. Vondrousova was leading 5-3 in the first set when she slipped and injured her right hip. Despite receiving medical attention, she was unable to continue the match. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina fought back to secure her place in the quarterfinals, while top seed Coco Gauff overcame a challenge to advance.
Zheng Qinwen, ranked eighth in the world, dominated Naomi Osaka with a record-breaking 23 aces, securing a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory in the first round of the Berlin Open. This win marks her first on grass since 2022 and sets the stage for her Wimbledon preparations. Osaka, returning from maternity leave, struggled against Zheng’s powerful serve and lost for the second time on grass in five days.
