Wimbledon 2024: Sabalenka Withdraws, Osaka Breaks Drought, Ruud’s Parasite Revelation

Wimbledon favorite and two-time semifinalist Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from the tournament on its first day due to a shoulder injury.

The No. 3 seed was due to face American Emina Bektas in the first round on Monday morning at The All-England Club. She will be replaced by lucky loser Erika Andreeva.

Sabalenka lost Saturday via walkover to Anna Kalinskaya in the quarterfinals of Berlin.

The two-time Australian Open champion was favored to win the women’s championship at Wimbledon, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

Naomi Osaka had not won a match at Wimbledon in six years. Hadn’t even played there in five. Grass courts never were her favorite surface.

Carlos Alcaraz, reigning Wimbledon men’s champion, began his title defense feeling a bit jittery, he said afterward, but came through with a victory over Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal.

No.8 seed Casper Ruud was made to work hard by Australian qualifier Alex Bolt, and then relayed how a food bug had derailed both his French Open campaign and his Wimbledon preparation.

Thanasi Kokkinakis is not afraid to admit he’s a bit like Bambi on ice when it comes to grass court tennis ahead of his first-round meeting with Canadian No.17 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.