Aryna Sabalenka Withdraws from Wimbledon Due to Shoulder Injury

Third seed Aryna Sabalenka has pulled out of Wimbledon owing to a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old Belarusian, who retired from a match at the Berlin Open last week due to the same issue, was unable to recover in time for the tournament.

Despite a brief practice session at Aorangi Park on Monday, Sabalenka left the court after about 15 minutes, visibly in pain. The Australian Open champion was scheduled to face American Emina Bektas in the second match on Court One on Wimbledon’s opening day.

Sabalenka expressed her disappointment on Instagram, stating she was “heartbroken” to withdraw. “I tried everything to get myself ready but unfortunately my shoulder is not cooperating,” she wrote. “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.”

Russian Erika Andreeva, who was defeated by Britain’s Sonay Kartal in the final round of qualifying, will take Sabalenka’s place in the tournament as a lucky loser.