New Delhi: Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka withdrew hours before their opening round Wimbledon matches on Monday with shoulder injuries.
Third seed Sabalenka was scheduled to take on American Emina Bektas and had to be replaced by Russia’s Erika Andreeva while 16th seed Azarenka’s spot went to another lucky loser Elsa Jacquemot of France.
“I tried everything to get myself ready but unfortunately my shoulder is not cooperating,” Sabalenka wrote on social media platofrm Instagram.
“I pushed myself to the limit in practice today to try my best, but my team explained that playing would only make things much worse,” she added.
“This tournament means so much to me and I promise I’ll be back stronger than ever next year.”
Sabalenka has had fitness issues this year with a lower back injury and was down illness at the French Open, where she went down to teenager Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-final.
The Australian Open champion picked up the shoulder injury during last month’s Berlin Open and had said that she wasn’t full fit going into Wimbledon.
Two-time Australian Open champion was set for a showdown with American Sloane Stephens. Earlier, 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia had pulled out before her opening round clash with Emma Raducanu due to illness.
Wildcard Raducanu began her campaign with a 7-6(0) 6-3 over Mexico’s Renata Zarazua on Centre Court.
Third seed Sabalenka was scheduled to take on American Emina Bektas and had to be replaced by Russia’s Erika Andreeva while 16th seed Azarenka’s spot went to another lucky loser Elsa Jacquemot of France. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
