World No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka Announces Withdrawal From Wimbledon
![Jun 5, 2024; Paris, France; Aryna Sabalenka during her match against Mirra Andreeva on day 11 of Roland Garros at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports Jun 5, 2024; Paris, France; Aryna Sabalenka during her match against Mirra Andreeva on day 11 of Roland Garros at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/si/01j1q8v45btrr3ba140v.jpg)
On Day 1 of the third major championship of the year, world No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka announced her withdrawal from Wimbledon due to a nagging shoulder injury that was initially hurt in the Berlin Open last month.
"Heartbroken to have to tell you all that I won't be able to play The Championships this year," the former world No. 1 posted on X (formerly Twitter). "I tried everything to get myself ready but unfortunately my shoulder is not cooperating. This tournament means so much to me and I promise I'll be back stronger than ever next year."
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. This tournament means so much to me and I promise I’ll be back stronger than ever next year. ❤️
— Sabalenka Aryna (@SabalenkaA) July 1, 2024
The 26-year-old Sabalenka, who won her second straight Australian Open title earlier this year, was expected to be a prime contender at Wimbledon this year if she was healthy. She was in contention at the French Open earlier this summer before losing in the quarterfinals to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva. Even while in contention at the French Open, Sabalenka was dealing with a back injury and wasn't able to give it a go at full health.
Sabalenka will now rest her ailing shoulder in hopes of being fully healthy for the U.S. Open beginning in August.