Shoulder injury threatening Sabalenka’s Wimbledon

Aryna Sabalenka admitted on Saturday that a lingering shoulder problem which refuses to properly heal could force her from her Wimbledon start next week.

The WTA No. 3 comes to the grass-court major with just one match completed on grass in Berlin.

The two-tiem semi-finalist at the All England Club is due to start her campaign against No. 106 unknown Emina Bektas.

But the third seed is far from certain that she can make it to the first-round test.

“I’m not 100 per cent fit now. We’re doing everything we can with my team to make sure I’ll be able to play my first match here,” she confessed on Saturday.

“I’ve never had to deal with serious injuries in my career. The past month has been really challenging for me. I’ve been fighting through a lot of different pains.

“Whatever pain, I’m going to tell you that I had it, It’s really frustrating. It’s always in my head. I’m always, like, hoping for the best.”

Sabalenka, winner of the last two Australian Open editions, said she is trying to distract form constantly thinking about the (relatively rare) injury, trying to have a little fun so there is still some positive things in your life.”

“I don’t want to risk the rest of the season. I have another day, another day and a half, to try some more stuff and see where I am.”I still have my hopes.”