Sabalenka's Unprecedented Streak Ends in Berlin Retirement

Aryna Sabalenka's remarkable streak of never retiring from a WTA tour match came to an abrupt end in Berlin on Saturday. The No. 2 seed at the grass-court ecotrans Ladies Open was forced to withdraw from her quarterfinal match against Anna Kalinskaya due to a shoulder injury.

Sabalenka, who has been battling through various physical and mental struggles in recent months, had played every single match she had entered since turning professional in 2014. Her unwavering determination and resilience had become a hallmark of her career, earning her the respect of both fans and opponents.

However, the toll of the relentless grind of the WTA tour finally caught up with Sabalenka in Berlin. After losing the first five games of her match against Kalinskaya, she called it quits, citing a shoulder injury. The quarterfinal had been postponed from Friday due to rain, adding to the physical demands on the players.

Sabalenka's retirement marked a significant moment in her career. It was the first time she had ever withdrawn from a match at WTA level, highlighting the severity of her injury and the challenges she has been facing.

Earlier this month at Roland Garros, Sabalenka had battled through a stomach bug in a three-set quarterfinal loss to Mirra Andreeva. She had told reporters that she never considered retiring from that match, despite playing in visible distress.

However, the events in Berlin came just days after Sabalenka announced that she would not compete at the Paris Olympics due to scheduling concerns and to prioritize her health. She alluded to "struggles" that have plagued her in recent months as a factor in her decision, but did not elaborate at the time.

"I feel I have to take care of my health," she said. "I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I'm ready for the hard courts, and I'll have a good preparation before going to the hard court season. I feel that this is safer and better for my body."

Sabalenka's withdrawal from the Berlin tournament is a reminder of the physical and mental demands that professional tennis players face. It also highlights the importance of prioritizing health and well-being, even when it means making difficult decisions.

Tags: #ArynaSabalenka, #WTA, #Tennis, #Injury, #Retirement