Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from Wimbledon due to an injured shoulder.
The two-time Australian Open champion and No. 3 seed at this year’s Wimbledon tournament was scheduled to play Emina Bektas of the United States in the first round. Sabalenka has been dealing with shoulder pain since withdrawing from the Berlin Ladies Open quarterfinal over a week ago.
“Heartbroken to have to tell you all that I won’t be able to play The Championships this year. I tried everything to get myself ready but unfortunately my shoulder is not cooperating,” Sabalenka wrote on Instagram Monday.
“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. This tournament means so much to me and I promise I’ll be back stronger than ever next year.”
Sabalenka, who was reached the Wimbledon semifinals in each of her last two appearances , said the injury has been “very frustrating” in …