Canada's Victoria Mboko was forced to withdraw from her singles match at the Queen's Club tennis championships in London on Wednesday after suffering a fall on court. The 19-year-old from Mississauga, Ontario, was competing against Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova when the incident occurred during the first set.
Match details
Mboko appeared to lose her footing while chasing a shot, falling awkwardly on the grass surface. After receiving medical attention, she attempted to continue but ultimately decided to retire from the match. Pliskova was leading 3-1 in the first set at the time of the withdrawal.
The Canadian tennis star was visibly distressed as she left the court, with the crowd offering supportive applause. The extent of her injury has not yet been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether she will be able to compete in upcoming tournaments.
Reaction from organizers
Tournament officials expressed sympathy for Mboko, noting that player safety is a top priority. A spokesperson for the Queen's Club stated that the medical team provided immediate assistance and that Mboko was in good spirits after the match.
This was Mboko's first appearance at the prestigious Queen's Club event, which serves as a key warm-up for Wimbledon. Her performance earlier in the week had drawn praise from fans and commentators alike.
Pliskova, a former world No. 1, advanced to the next round as a result of the retirement. She expressed disappointment for her opponent and wished Mboko a speedy recovery.
