The grass court in Berlin is not favoring Aryna Sabalenka! After transitioning from the clay court of the French Open, Sabalenka was all set to show her prowess on grass courts in the quarterfinal match against Anna Kalinskaya. Sadly, joining hands with Elena Rybakina, Sabalenka will no longer be able to continue her journey in Berlin. It is all down to physical issues again! However, she is not alone. Ons Jabeur also joined the list as well!

The World No. 3, Aryna Sabalenka, has withdrawn from the grass-courts championship event of this year due to a “shoulder pain” during her QFs with Anna Kalinskaya. The news comes only a day after a similar feat was observed by Elena Rybakina, who withdrew from the tournament due to illness. As a result, Victoria Azarenka went ahead on her journey in the grass-court event.

In the case of Aryna Sabalenka v Kalinskaya, the latter was leading the first set by 5-1. However, the Australian Open Champion, who called for a medical time-out during the first set’s 4-1 record, could not continue her play with the shoulder injury even after trying. Unfortunately, this also marks her first retirement in the Hologic WTA Tour career and fans are not ready to let her go yet.

On the other hand, Jabeur, who was playing in the semifinals of the same event, has also encountered a similar fate. While facing Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals in Berlin, Jabeur had to retire mid-match, after an hour and 13 minutes of playing, as her temperature rose high after the first set of the game. Therefore, Gauff, who was leading the first set (7-6) will now move forward, vying for her first grass-court title in Berlin, leaving behind a disappointed Jabeur. 

The 29-year-old player, who has previously won the event in 2022, has already withdrawn from the Olympics to focus on Wimbledon instead. Therefore, will she be able to continue her reign at Wimbledon, overcoming her illness? Only time will tell. As more players continue to withdraw from the event, questions about their Wimbledon participation loom large on the horizon.

Much like Jabeur, Sabalenka has also previously withdrawn from the Olympics as well, stating that she wants to concentrate on Wimbledon this season and to prioritize her health. Therefore, her recent withdrawal from Berlin has further raised eyebrows in the tennis world. However, apart from the above three, there is also another player who withdrew from the tournament.

Marketa Vondrousova has also withdrawn from the grass-court event in Berlin

Fortunately or unfortunately, Anna Kalinskaya’s road to the semifinals of the grass-court championship event has been nothing but unusual. While her quarterfinal match against Rybakina got stalled due to the latter’s abdominal pain, her Round of 16 match also showcased a similar trend. Marketa Vondrousova retired mid-match due to her leg injury on Thursday, June 20, while playing the first set against Kalinskaya. The 24-year-old Czech player hurt her leg after she slipped behind the baseline when she was leading the game by 5-3 in the first set. 

Sadly, after playing two more games after taking a medical timeout, Vondrousova struggled with her form, ultimately retiring mid-match. With Wimbledon coming up, last year’s quarterfinalist of the event, Vondrousova is now preparing her best to overcome the injuries and come back stronger and better. As Aryna Sabalenka, Marketa Vondrousova, and Ons Jabeur and continue their journey in the season, hopefully, the tennis world will soon see them with new vigor in Wimbledon!