Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has expressed doubts about her ability to compete in her first-round match at Wimbledon due to a rare shoulder injury. The 26-year-old Belarusian, who is scheduled to play against Emina Bektas of the United States, revealed her uncertainty on Saturday.
“I’m not 100% fit now,” Sabalenka admitted. “We’re doing everything we can with my team to make sure I’ll be able to play my first match here. But, no, I’m not 100% ready.”
Sabalenka was forced to retire from her quarterfinal match against Anna Kalinskaya in Berlin last week due to the injury, which she described as exceptionally rare. “My doctors said I’m just the second or the third tennis player who injured the (shoulder) muscle. It’s really a specific injury, and it’s really a rare one.”
When asked if she might withdraw from her match on Monday, she acknowledged the possibility, stating, “There is always a chance, yeah.”
Sabalenka also defended her decision to skip the Paris Olympics, which she announced after her French Open quarterfinal loss to Mirra Andreeva. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing her health and career over the Olympics. “I decided to sacrifice the Olympics for my career, for my health. I really hope that I’ll be able to play the next Olympics.”
Aryna Sabalenka in 2024
LWLWWWWLWW Currently ranked no.3, the Belarussian played her last match on the 22nd of June when she had to retire when playing against world no.17 Anna Kalinskaya in the quarter and the scoreline was 5-1 .
Until now, during this year the Belarussian owns a 30-9 record. The Belarussian conquered 1 title at the Australian Open. The Belarussian was the runner-up in Brisbane, Madrid and Rome.
Aryna Sabalenka will come up against the world no.106 Emina Bektas in the 1st round on Monday at 4:00 pm on Court 1. They have never competed against each other as of now in top events.
The Belarussian clinched 1 title in 2024 at the Australian Open. The Belarussian got to the final in Brisbane (Brisbane International), in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) and in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia).
The Belarussian won 14 titles in her career: 10 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
Aryna Sabalenka |
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