SABALENKA WITHDRAWS FROM WIMBLEDON WITH INJURY
Australian Open champion and world number three Aryna Sabalenka withdrew from Wimbledon on Monday due to a shoulder injury, tournament organisers announced.
Sabalenka, a two-time semi-finalist at the All England Club, is replaced in the draw by Russian lucky loser Erika Andreeva, who will face American qualifier Emina Bektas in the first round.
Sabalenka said on Monday she was “heartbroken” to have withdrawn from Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury.
“Heartbroken to have to tell you all that I won’t be able to play The Championships this year,” 26-year-old Sabalenka wrote on X.
I tried everything to get myself ready but unfortunately my shoulder is not cooperating. This tournament means so much to me and I promise I’ll be back stronger than ever next year.”
Sabalenka had hinted at the weekend that she may be forced to pull out after suffering the injury at the recent Berlin tournament.
“I’m not 100 per cent fit now,” admitted the Belarusian.
When asked on Saturday if there was a chance she may withdraw, she said: “There is always a chance, yeah.”
“It’s really a specific injury, and it’s really a rare one.”
Sabalenka is one of seven players to have withdrawn from the tournament since the draw was made on Friday.
Earlier in June, Sabalenka made it to the last 16 of the French Open.
AFP
More Stories
NPFL: OGUNBOTE TO SIGN SHOOTING STARS CONTRACT EXTENSION
Veteran tactician, Gbenga Ogunbote has agreed to sign a new contract with Nigeria Premier Football League outfit, Shooting Stars, DAILY...
CHELSEA APPOINT SEYI OLOFINJANA IN TALENT MANAGEMENT ROLE COVERING AFRICA
Chelsea have appointed former Nigeria international Seyi Olofinjana into a talent management role covering Africa. 44-year-old Olofinjana — capped 56...
TRUMP CONGRATULATES UK’S FARAGE, IGNORES STARMER
While praising fellow populist Nigel Farage's election to the British parliament on Friday, former US president Donald Trump failed to...
WORLD NEWS: KEIR STARMER OFFICIALLY APPOINTED AS UK PRIME MINISTER
During an audience at Buckingham Palace on Friday, King Charles III of Britain formally named Labour leader Keir Starmer as...
I WOULD STILL PREFER LOCAL COACH FOR SUPER EAGLES – EX-INT’L, OLOYEDE
Former Nigeria international Taiwo Oloyede has said he would still prefer a local coach for the Super Eagles. After recording...
ARSENAL AGREE DEAL WITH BOLOGNA’S CALAFIORI
Arsenal have agreed terms with Bologna defender, Riccardo Calafiori. The Gunners offered Calafiori a five-year contract, which is valid until...