Victoria Mboko suffered an injury during her opening singles match at Queen’s against Karolina Pliskova.
The young Canadian fell awkwardly during the second set on a rainy day in London.
“That’s a big strain right through the inside of that knee. We just have to hope that it isn’t anything too bad. We’ve seen so many bad knee injuries of people slipping on the grass over the years. It’s just the nature of the surface. We obviously send our best to Vicky [Mboko] and keep everything crossed that it’s just the shock of the fall, and it’s nothing that’s going to keep her out,” said Naomi Broady during the BBC’s coverage of Queen’s.
Mboko was then heard outlining the details of her injury.
Victoria Mboko said she had no ‘stability’ after Queen’s fall during match against Karolina Pliskova
“There’s no stability right now,” said Mboko once she was helped up to her feet.
She continued to speak with the medical team before sitting down on her bench.
Making the smart decision to retire from the match, Mboko apologised to her opponent as she walked over.
“I’m so sorry,” said Mboko.
Former British number one Annabel Croft later delivered her verdict on the incident.
“It’s a heartbreaker; you hate to see that,” she said.
“We’ve all been talking about it. With so much rain in the air, the moisture, and a fresh green grass court, it always takes them time to harden up. We needed more sunshine during the first few days.
“It’s just a classic grass-court injury where the legs go in different directions, and then you twist the knee.
“You just hope and pray she’s not out for Wimbledon…
Mboko may still have an opportunity to compete at Wimbledon, but the chances are that her Queen’s Club Championships campaign is over.
Not just in singles, but in doubles, too.
Mboko had entered doubles with a returning Serena Williams, as the pair won their opening match in straight sets.
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They were expected to play their quarter-final match on Thursday, but that now seems unlikely.
“It’s devastating for all the fans watching her, because she’s such a great bright hope and doing so well out there on the tour, of course, with Serena Williams as well last night,” said Croft.
“Is Serena watching this?
“Now she probably doesn’t have a partner, they’re not going to play a second match, and she would have been so excited to play with Serena once again. It’s absolutely crushing.”
Anne Keothavong confirmed that Williams was watching Mboko’s match backstage when she fell.
“I was just in the player lounge when it happened. Serena was there, we were chatting about this match with Rennae Stubbs, who is here as part of the coaching team,” said Keothavong.
“Everyone back there in the lounge was just really shocked. We don’t know how serious it is yet; we hope it’s not too bad and that she will be fit for Wimbledon.
“The health of her partner is most important. It’s already been announced that Serena is playing in Berlin, playing with a different partner, Karolina Muchova, so she’s going to have another opportunity if not here tomorrow.
“So Serena will carry on and just check in on her partner, I’m sure.”
If Mboko isn’t fit to play on Thursday, Williams will return to action in Berlin alongside Karolina Muchova next week.
Karolina Pliskova sends message to Victoria Mboko after fall
Pliskova was a class act before and after Mboko decided to retire from the match.
With the 19-year-old on the floor, the former world number one brought her towel to her and seemed to be offering some words of support.
Then, during her on-court interview, Pliskova was keen to focus on Mboko, sending the Canadian her best wishes.
“First of all, such a shame, I think we played quite a good game, I think she was improving as the match was going. It would have been a nice match,” said Pliskova.
“But I wish her only the best.
“Of course, this is not the way we want to win; hopefully she is going to be fine for Wimbledon.”
Pliskova didn’t want to win that way, but must now focus on her quarter-final match against Marie Bouzkova or Donna Vekic.
