US Open star 'withdraws in tears' less than two hours before Aryna Sabalenka showdown

Marketa Vondrousova has withdrawn from the US Open less than two hours before she was due to face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals. Sky Sports presenter Gigi Salmon said the former Wimbledon champion "left the practice court in tears" shortly before pulling out of the tournament.

US Open organisers confirmed Vondrousova had "withdrawn with an injury" on their social media accounts. The two Major champions were set to open the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium at 7pm local time (12am UK time).

“We interrupt this match with some breaking news that Marketa Vondrousova, the opponent of Aryna Sabalenka, has withdrawn. It was due to be the first match of the night session,” Salmon announced on Sky Sports.

“We’re hearing that she left the practice court in tears and then shortly after, the news filtered through that she would not be able to take to the court this evening. We’re still waiting to see how things move around in terms of, it was due to be the first of two matches in the night session.”

In a statement, Vondrousova later wrote: “It breaks my heart that I can't step on court today at the US Open because of the injury I picked up in my last match. This place is so special to me - exactly one year ago I was in surgery, not even sure if I would ever return. Being back here, competing again and enjoying such beautiful matches has meant more to me than words can say. Thankful for all the love and support.”

Defending champion Sabalenka advances to the semi-finals via walkover, where she faces No. 4 seed Jessica Pegula in a rematch of the 2024 final. The world No. 1 issued a statement wishing Vondrousova well after her opponent pulled out of the tournament, saying: “So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through. She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her. Take care of yourself and I hope you can recover quickly. Love Aryna.”

Tim Henman, who saw Vondrousova on the practice court, told Sky Sports viewers he wasn’t sure whether the issue was with her wrist, shoulder, or another area. “She was out on the practice court and just started to hit some balls on the baseline and suddenly hit one forehand and doubled over in pain, more to the side of the court,” he said.

“Looked like she was very distressed and obviously distraught, and then we’ve just heard that she’s obviously had to pull out, which is hugely disappointing for her, she was playing some great tennis.”

There were hopes that Venus Williams and Leylah Fernandez’s doubles match against world No. 1s Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend would move to the Arthur Ashe Stadium night session. But they will remain on the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Novak Djokovic vs Taylor Fritz will now begin not before 8pm local time (1am UK time) in the Ashe night session.

Vondrousova has struggled with injuries throughout her career. She reached the 2019 French Open final when she was still a teenager, but ended her season in September of that year to have wrist surgery.

The Czech star won an Olympic silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, which were staged in 2021, upsetting Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina en route. Vondrousova was then sidelined when she had two more wrist surgeries in 2022. She returned and won Wimbledon in 2023.

But Vondrousova has continued to face physical setbacks. She missed the Paris Olympics and US Open last year, and underwent shoulder surgery. The 26-year-old returned in January of this year but was sidelined by a shoulder injury from March to May.

She has just started to find some real form in Flushing Meadows, upsetting top-10 players Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina, before pulling out.

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