Reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova was forced to retire from her second-round match at the Berlin Ladies Open after sustaining a right hip injury. The World No.6 was leading Anna Kalinskaya 5-3 in the first set when she slipped and fell during a split-step.
Walking to her bench with a visible discomfort in her right hip area, Vondrousova received off-court medical treatment. Despite her efforts, she returned to play two more games before ultimately retiring with the set tied at 5-5.
This unfortunate turn of events leaves Vondrousova with less than two weeks to recover before her title defense at Wimbledon, which is scheduled to begin on July 1.
On a brighter note, the 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina had a more successful day on the courts. The No.3 seed managed to overcome a break down in the second set to defeat Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 7-5 in her tournament opener.
Now in her 10th quarterfinal of the season, Rybakina is set to face former No.1 Victoria Azarenka on Friday. A victory would propel her into her first grass-court semifinal since her Wimbledon triumph.
Throughout the match against Kudermetova, Rybakina maintained consistent pressure, creating 11 break point opportunities while facing minimal resistance.
Although Vondrousova’s withdrawal is undoubtedly disappointing, fans can look forward to an exciting quarterfinal between Rybakina and Azarenka, with both players showcasing their exceptional skills on the grass court.