A shoulder injury forced Aryna Sabalenka to retreat during the match against Anna Kalinskaya at the WTA 500 in Berlin. An injury that turned out to be more serious than expected and which is affecting the current world number three on the eve of Wimbledon.
The Belarusian explained that she can do anything on the pitch, but that the pain comes back to haunt her whenever needed. Sabalenka also revealed that there is still a possibility that she may not be able to take the field at the Championships.
Sabalenka: “I’m not 100%. It’s very frustrating”
“I’m not 100%. It’s a shoulder injury. It’s really a specific and rare injury. I’m probably only the second or third tennis player who has suffered a similar injury.
It’s very frustrating. The most annoying thing is that I can do anything, I can train, I can hit from the baseline, but I have difficulty serving. I don’t feel like I’m injured – I can even lift weights – but if you ask me to serve I feel pain,” Sabalenka said during Media Day and in words reported by the official WTA website.
“I had an MRI, a lot of rehabilitation and a lot of treatments. We are doing everything we can to be ready. Risky debut? There is a possibility, yes. It is really frustrating. I have never had to deal with serious injuries in my career.
There are many difficulties I am going through at the moment. I would say the last month has been really busy for me. I have struggled with many different pains. It’s really hard to deal with, trying to stay positive and at the same time see the reality. I still have hope though.”
