Marketa Vondrousova Injury Update
Marketa Vondrousova, the talented Czech tennis star and 2023 Wimbledon champion, has sadly pulled out of her anticipated US Open quarterfinal clash against Aryna Sabalenka due to a knee injury—a real blow for anyone hoping for one more night of wild shotmaking at Flushing Meadows.
Myles David (@TunedIntoTennis) noted on Twitter that from the available footage, it appears Marketa Vondrousova may be dealing with a knee issue.
The news came down just a couple of hours before their scheduled match, after Vondrousova tried warming up but couldn’t get past the pain. Her statement was heartfelt: she said she’d done all she could to take the court, but, after consulting with the tournament doctor, she decided it just wasn’t worth risking things getting worse. “I appreciate all the support… and apologize to the fans who were looking forward to the match,” she wrote—and you could almost picture her waving apologetically from outside the locker room.
This isn’t Vondrousova’s first tangle with injuries, and honestly, it’s been rough to watch her keep fighting uphill. Last year, she missed the US Open with a shoulder issue, and she’s had a wrist operation and another on her shoulder just within the past few years.
Recently, there were even moments on practice courts—like Tuesday, before her scheduled match—where video showed her wincing and limping, folding over after hitting a shot, the kind of raw moment fans and players alike hope not to see from someone who’s often said the courts are her “happy place”.
It’s easy to get lost in the stats—first walkover at this late stage of the US Open since 1988, Sabalenka now through to face Pegula in the semis, Vondrousova entering the tournament unseeded and ranked 60th—but what sticks out is the resilience that’s kept her returning to the game, despite all these setbacks. Sabalenka herself posted a warm message: “So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through. She has been playing amazing tennis, and I know how badly this must hurt for her.
Take care of yourself and I hope you can recover quickly. Love, Aryna.” It’s those moments of camaraderie that actually give these updates some heart—and, as someone who’s watched Vondrousova’s career with more than a little hope, it’s gutting to see her walk away this time, but you have to admire her honesty and grit in putting her health first.
