As Wimbledon looms, four of the best WTA players are doubtful about competing at the tournament, which begins on July 1st.
The draw ceremony for the third Grand Slam of the season will take place on Friday, June 28th, and there are questions surrounding the health of the four women who are expected to contend for the title at SW19.
The buildup to Wimbledon has not been the kindest to them, with all these players picking up injuries or illnesses at this week's Berlin Open, which has also been hit by persistent inclement weather. So, who are these players, and what are their health concerns?
Aryna Sabalenka (shoulder/neck)
Top of the list is World No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka, who will have a week to recover from a shoulder and neck injury that was inflicted while playing Anna Kalinskaya in the quarterfinal in Berlin.
The Belarusian was treated on the court during a lengthy medical timeout but would retire while trailing 1-5. She is the oddsmakers' favorite for Wimbledon, but she'll be hoping the injury is not too serious as it could seriously jeopardize her chances.
Elena Rybakina (illness)
For four months, Elena Rybakina has battled a health issue without fully recovering. She has either retired or withdrawn from a tournament four times already this season, including in her most recent outing in Berlin.
The big-serving Kazakhstani struggled with dizziness just before serving at 1-3 down in the first set of her quarterfinal against Victoria Azarenka. She covered her eyes and walked towards her chair.
She retired even without getting treated because she was feeling under the weather. The WTA X page (formerly Twitter) revealed that the cause of Rybakina's retirement was abdominal pain, something that she's struggled with this year.
Marketa Vondrousova (hip)
Marketa Vondrousova suffered a nasty fall during her round of 16 match against Anna Kalinskaya at the Berlin Open. The Czech appeared to take a split step before slipping on the manicured lawns while leading 5-3 in the opening set.
She would receive off-court medical treatment around her hip, as that is where the pain stemmed from when she walked to her bench.
Upon her resumption, she was broken back, and Kalinskaya leveled the set at 5-all before Vondrousova took the precaution to retire. The Czech lefty is defending 2000 points next month after winning Wimbledon last year.
Ons Jabeur (illness)
Ons Jabeur and Coco Gauff played one of the best sets of the year at the Berlin Open on Saturday, and it was a shame that the match ended prematurely because of the Tunisian's retirement. Jabeur saved ten set points and had two of her own, but she ultimately lost the set after 68 minutes.
At the changeover, she was assessed by a doctor and had her temperature checked before she informed the chair umpire she would not continue. Jabeur is tipped to win her first Grand Slam next month, but Wimbledon organizers will grow increasingly worried about the health of these players.
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