The 2024 Wimbledon Championships has not even started and there is some grim update surrounding the tournament. Third seed, Aryna Sabalenka, who was one of the favorites to win the major tournament, has suffered a saddening injury and question marks have erupted over her participation in the tournament.

The Belarusian star was playing in the Berlin Grass Court Championships when she had to withdraw from her quarterfinal match against Anna Kalinskaya midway due to an injury. She suffered a shoulder injury and recently stated that it was a very rare kind of injury as she was only the third tennis player to injure a specific muscle in her shoulder. What’s more, she even stated that ‘there is always a chance’ that she wouldn’t be able to make it to the first round at Wimbledon against Emina Bektas of the United States.

Interestingly, the withdrawal in Berlin was the first occasion that Sabalenka had pulled out of a match midway. It indicates how serious the issue might be which puts her Wimbledon chances in limbo. However, it doesn’t stop here. The rare muscle injury in her shoulder could potentially affect the rest of her career, even leading to early retirement.

Just ahead of the Wimbledon Championships, Sabalenka was seen in a fun training session with BFF Ons Jabeur. She displayed no signs of injury trouble back then, and it remains unclear if her injury might have aggravated following the practice session on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

Nonetheless, Sabalenka looked grim while opening up about her fitness status. During an interview, she mentioned, “I’m not 100% fit now. 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.” In order to be physically at 100%, Sabalenka has even sacrificed her Paris Olympics dreams. Thus, the latest injury setback is a huge blow to her, potentially even career-threatening.

Aryna Sabalenka explains her shock Olympics move

Ahead of the Wimbledon Championships, the Belarusian tennis star revealed her decision to skip the Paris Olympic Games, which takes place after the grass-court Grand Slam tournament. Tennis at the Paris Olympics will be held on clay, and players will have to again switch from grass to clay. This became a major factor in her decision, as she opted for rest instead and be physically fit to play the US Open swing.

In this regard, Sabalenka opened up by saying, “It’s too much of changing the surface… I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I’m ready for the hard courts, and I’ll have a good preparation before going to the hard court season. I feel that this is safer and better for my body.”

Sabalenka is due to play her first-round match at Wimbledon on Monday, which is just 2 days away. She faces a race against time to be back on the court fully fit. Meanwhile, her fans will be praying for Sabalenka’s quick recovery and see her in action next week.