Sabalenka withdraws from Wimbledon with injury

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka reacts after she lost the women’s singles quarterfinal match against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day eleven of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris on June 5, 2024. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP)

Australian Open champion and world number three Aryna Sabalenka withdrew from Wimbledon on Monday due to a shoulder injury, tournament organizers announced.

Sabalenka, a two-time semifinalist 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, 26, had hinted at the weekend that she may be forced to pull out after suffering the injury at the recent Berlin tournament.

READ: Sabalenka, Jabeur rule out Paris Olympics to avoid risking health

“I’m not 100 percent 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.”