Less than two weeks before she is set to defend her Wimbledon title, Marketa Vondrousova encountered a troubling injury setback during her second-round match at the Berlin Open.
The Czech player, who stunned the tennis world last year by becoming the first unseeded player to clinch the Wimbledon women’s singles championship, suffered a right hip injury when leading 5-3 in the first set against Anna Kalinskaya.
The incident occurred as Vondrousova slipped on the court, prompting her to call for a medical timeout. Despite efforts to continue, she retired from the match when the score reached 5-5, raising concerns about her fitness leading up to Wimbledon, scheduled from July 1 to July 14.
At just 24 years old, Vondrousova’s unexpected triumph at Wimbledon 2023 marked a significant achievement in her career, defeating Ons Jabeur in the final to claim the prestigious title.
Her journey to defend the crown this year has hit a sudden obstacle with this injury scare, leaving fans and pundits speculating on her readiness for the upcoming tournament.
Meanwhile, the Berlin Open continues to showcase top-tier tennis, with world-class players competing fiercely. Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya, after benefiting from Vondrousova’s retirement, is set to face the formidable Aryna Sabalenka, ranked third globally, who recently dispatched Daria Kasatkina with a solid 6-1, 6-4 victory.
The tournament in Berlin boasts a strong lineup, featuring eight of the top ten players in the world. Notably absent from the competition are top-ranked Iga Swiatek and world number seven Jasmine Paolini.
The ongoing matches have seen thrilling performances, including Jabeur’s comeback from a set down against Linda Noskova, setting up a tantalizing quarter-final clash against the talented Coco Gauff, who defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets.
In parallel, the Birmingham Classic has witnessed its own share of intense matches. Britain’s Harriet Dart faced a tough defeat against Czech second seed Barbora Krejcikova, falling 6-3, 6-4. On a positive note for British tennis, Katie Boulter is guaranteed a seeding at Wimbledon following Elise Mertens’ retirement due to injury against Caroline Dolehide.
As the tennis world turns its attention towards Wimbledon, all eyes will be on Vondrousova’s recovery and whether she can regain her fitness in time to defend her remarkable title. Her journey, now clouded with uncertainty, adds an element of drama to an already thrilling season of tennis.