By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday July 1, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka has pulled out of Wimbledon.
The two-time Grand Slam champion announced the news on Monday after cutting her practice session short on the Aorangi practice courts at Wimbledon.
"Heartbroken to tell you all that I won't be able to play the Championships this year," Sabalenka wrote on social media. "I tried everything to get myself ready but unfortunately my shoulder is not cooperating."
Sabalenka spoke openly about her shoulder issue during her pre-tournament press conference, admitting that she was far from 100 percent. The 26-year-old, a semifinalist in her last two Wimbledon appearances, will be replaced by Lucky Loser Erika Andreeva in the draw.
The news doesn’t come as a massive surprise, given how the former World No.1 spoke of her situation on Saturday at SW19.
"I'm not 100 fit now," Sabalenka said. "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’s absence will open up the lower half of the draw. Top-10 seeds in that half include No.2-seeded Coco Gauff, seventh-seeded Jasmine Paolini, eighth-seeded Zheng Qinwen and ninth-seeded Maria Sakkari.