With the grass-court season already in full swing, tennis players around the world are seizing the opportunity to prove their mettle. However, for Czech star Marketa Vondrousova, this season is shrouded in uncertainty and challenges. The talented player, who had been poised to defend her title at the prestigious Wimbledon Grand Slam, is now grappling with a serious injury that threatens her campaign.

Marketa Vondrousova began her venture in Berlin with an impressive win against Rebeka Masarova in straight sets. While she was on an equally impressive run at the round of 16 match against Anna Kalinskaya, she faced a nasty injury. She slipped and fell after a split-step on the first point of the ninth game.

During her serve in the set against her opponent, the Czech star slipped and injured her leg badly. While she immediately availed an off-court medical assistance, it did not help her much. She was spotted holding her right hip area and walking to her bench under her own power to receive treatment. She returned to play two games before retiring with the set tied at 5-5. This injury seems to pose challenges for her in Wimbledon as well.

Vondrousova had demonstrated sensational gameplay at the 2023 Wimbledon and emerged as the victorious player. With less than two weeks to Wimbledon, the Czech has very little time to recover and return to defend her title. Provided she fails to appear for the grand stage, she will also jeopardize 2000 points which she earned from winning the Grand Slam last year, thereby impacting her world ranking. This is not the first time that Vondrousova’s grand slam is facing challenges. 

In January this year, Marketa Vondrousova pulled out of Adelaide International with a right hip injury. While her appearance at the US Open was under doubt, she made a comeback soon, only to be ousted in the first round itself. Meanwhile, her grass court success of 2023 still remains a surprise for many.

“I didn’t play many matches…,” Marketa Vondrousova’s surprising statements highlight her determination

It was for the first time in the history of Wimbledon that an unseeded player went on to become the champion in 2023. But what caught the attention of the tennis community was Marketa Vondrousova’s statements after her win. Speaking to WTA after her win, she revealed her lack of confidence on grass.

“I didn’t play many matches on grass before, My best Wimbledon was second round. For me, when it was clay or hard, maybe I would say, yeah, maybe it’s possible. But the grass was impossible for me.It’s even crazier that this is happening.” Continuing further, she revealed the step-by-step progress at the Grand Slam. “When I saw the draw, it wasn’t easy. I was like, ‘Let’s try.’ I beat Kudermetova, Vekic. They are great on grass. I was like, ‘OK, maybe, you know, I’ll get better and I can do something here.” 

Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see if the Czech can overcome her injury scare and return to the Grass courts with the same determination as her previous Wimbledon appearance.