Lucky Loser Erika Andreeva: The Comeback Story at Wimbledon After Aryna Sabalenka Withdraws

Erika Andreeva, a Russian player who lost in the final round of qualifying, will now compete as a lucky loser in the Wimbledon tournament after Aryna Sabalenka withdrew due to a shoulder injury. The Belarusian, who was the third seed at Wimbledon and reached the semi-finals in 2021 and 2023, was forced to retire from a match at the Berlin Open last week because of the issue and has not been able to recover in time.

Sabalenka attempted to practice at Aorangi Park earlier on Monday but had to leave after only 15 minutes due to the pain she was experiencing. Despite trying her best to prepare for her match against American Emina Bektas, Sabalenka ultimately made the difficult decision to withdraw from the tournament. In a post on Instagram, Sabalenka expressed her disappointment at having to pull out of Wimbledon. She explained that she had done everything possible to try and get herself ready to play, but her shoulder simply wasn’t cooperating. Her team advised her that playing would only worsen the injury, so she had to listen to their guidance.

The withdrawal of Sabalenka is sure to be felt at Wimbledon as fans will miss the opportunity to watch the talented player in action. However, Andreeva’s inclusion in the tournament is likely to generate excitement among fans as she makes her debut in Wimbledon’s main draw.