Injured Sabalenka withdraws from Wimbledon

Aryna Sabalenka reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2021 and 2023Third seed Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from Wimbledon with a shoulder injury.

The Belarusian, 26, had to retire from a match at the Berlin Open last week with the problem and has not been able to recover in time.

Sabalenka practised at Aorangi Park earlier on Monday but left after about 15 minutes and appeared to be in pain.

The Australian Open champion was due to play American Emina Bektas in the second match on Court One on the opening day of the tournament.

Russian Erika Andreeva, who lost to Britain’s Sonay Kartal in the final round of qualifying, comes in as a lucky loser.