Surprise Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has been struggling with a virus since Roland Garros and will face an uphill battle to be match-fit when play begins at the All England Club in a week.
The Kazakh who beat Ons Jabeur in the 2022 final of outsiders, said she is on the mend but racing against the clock to be ready for the start of her title defence.
“It’s been tough,” she said after withdrawing on Monday from the last pre-Wimbledon tuneup event at Eastbourne on the English south coast.
“At the French Open after I withdrew (third round) I went back to the hotel and could not leave for several days.
“I still think that I’m not at 100 per cent physically but slowly it’s getting better. Hopefully I can get some matches here and feel more comfortable at Wimbledon.
The WTA No. 3 added: “It’s a new challenge for me to come as a defending champion and everyone is saying I’m the favourite, so it’s sort of different.
“But the goals are the same; having all the experience from last year is helping me.”
The holder has been hitting on the grounds of the Club with her return set for one week away.
Main photo:-Wimbledon 2022 Elena Rybakina receives Venus Rosewater dish from Duchess of Cambridge after winning ladies singles final by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
