Reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova is in a race against time to be fit for her title defense next week, after withdrawing from the Eastbourne Open quarterfinals on Thursday due to a right thigh injury.
Krejcikova handed Varvara Gracheva a walkover into the semifinals at Devonshire Park, following a flare-up of pain she first experienced during her second-round win over Britain’s Jodie Burrage on Wednesday.
“I’m very sorry to have to withdraw... I’m having some soreness in my right thigh,” Krejcikova said in a statement. “Overnight it just didn’t get any better; it actually got worse. With Wimbledon in the next couple of days, I think it’s better to rest it, see what’s going on, and resolve that.”
Wimbledon Opening Match Looms
Krejcikova is scheduled to begin her Wimbledon campaign on Tuesday, leaving only a few days to recover. The Czech star revealed she is undergoing a scan to assess the extent of the damage, though she has not yet ruled herself out of the Grand Slam.
Her withdrawal comes after two grueling three-set matches against British wild cards in Eastbourne, where she saved multiple match points — two against Harriet Dart and three more in a close battle with Jodie Burrage.
Defending Champion Under Pressure
Krejcikova clinched her maiden Wimbledon singles title last year by defeating Jasmine Paolini in the final. With expectations high for her return, any lingering injury would be a major blow to her hopes of defending the crown.
The 28-year-old has struggled with injury interruptions in recent seasons and is aiming to regain consistency on grass — a surface where her versatile, all-court game has historically flourished.
Medical Update Pending
Krejcikova’s team has yet to provide a medical update, but her participation at Wimbledon will depend on the outcome of her scan and recovery over the weekend.
Should she be forced to withdraw, it would open up the women’s draw significantly and deal a major blow to the tournament’s early-round star power.