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29 March 2024

Down & Out - Azarenka, Sharapova, Wozniacki, Jankovic

Published
By Sports Correspondent

Wimbledon has witnessed some seismic shocks down the years but the defeats suffered by defending champion Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal this week rank among the most surprising.

But the slippery Wimbledon has taken a toll on the star Tennis players. Maria Sharapova branded the Wimbledon courts ‘dangerous’ yesterday as a record number of players were forced to drop out through injury in a single day.

Maria Sharapova of Russia slips during her women's singles tennis match against Michelle Larcher De Brito of Portugal at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in London June 26, 2013. (REUTERS)

Maria Sharapova of Russia tries to get up after slipping during her women's singles tennis match, in London June 26, 2013. (REUTERS)

Michelle Larcher De Brito of Portugal not only out-screeched her but also out-played her during the match.

Maria Sharapova of Russia receives medical attention after her fall. (REUTERS)

3rd seed Sharapova was sent across the grounds to the bowl-like Court Two to face Portuguese firebrand Michelle Larcher de Brito and found the 131st-ranked qualifier too hot to handle as she slipped and slid to a 6-3 6-4 defeat.

Second seed Victoria Azarenka called on Wimbledon organisers to examine the state of the grass courts after joining a growing list of players to withdraw from the grand slam because of injury on Wednesday. (REUTERS)


The Belarussian fell badly in her match on Monday on what she called a slippery Court One and her knee failed to recover in time for Wednesday's second-round clash with Flavia Pennetta.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, second from left, is attended to after taking a fall during her Women's first round singles match with Maria Joao Koehler of Portugal, front right, at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Monday, June 24, 2013. (AP)

Azarenka was one of seven players to withdraw from the championship on an incident-packed third day at the tournament.

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark holds her ankle after falling in her women's singles tennis match against Petra Cetkovska of the Czech Republic at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in London June 26, 2013. (REUTERS)

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark falls on court as she plays Petra Cetkovska of the Czech Republic during their Women's second round singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. (AP)

(AP)

(AP)
 

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia slips as she plays Johanna Konta of Britain during their Women's first round singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Monday, June 24, 2013. (AP)

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia slips during her women's singles tennis match against Vesna Dolonc of Serbia at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, in London June 26, 2013.  (REUTERS)