In a devastating turn of events for the tennis world, reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been forced to withdraw from the US Open due to a painful wrist injury. The shock announcement came mere moments before the Czech star was set to step onto the court for her first-round match.
The ninth seed was scheduled to face Russia's Maria Timofeeva on Court 17 when the decision was made. Tournament officials confirmed the withdrawal, stating a 'right wrist injury' as the cause.
This cruel twist of fate is a brutal blow for the 24-year-old, who was riding a wave of momentum after her historic triumph at the All England Club last year. The injury not only dashes her Flushing Meadows dreams but also casts a shadow over the remainder of her season.
Vondrousova's exit follows a worrying pattern of misfortune for recent women's champions at the US Open. She becomes the third consecutive Wimbledon winner to withdraw from the New York Grand Slam before even playing a match, a statistic that will send shockwaves through the sport.
Her replacement in the draw will be a lucky loser from the qualifying tournament, who will receive a fortuitous pass into the second round. For Vondrousova, the focus now shifts to recovery, with fans and pundits alike hoping for a swift and full return to the court for one of the game's most exciting talents.
