Coco Gauff reacts to the news that Aryna Sabalenka has pulled out of Wimbledon this year

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Coco Gauff wished Aryna Sabalenka well after she made a last minute withdrawal from the Wimbledon Championships.

The Belarusian was due to play Emina Bektas in round one but she has pulled out after dealing what she described as a rare shoulder injury.

“Heartbroken to have to tell you all that I won’t be able to play The Championships this year,” Sabalenka said in a statement. “This tournament means so much to me and I promise I’ll be back stronger than ever next year.”

Gauff and Sabalenka have produced some entertaining contests during their rivalry but the 21-year-old will have to wait for another battle with the reigning Australian Open champion.

What did Coco Gauff say about Aryna Sabalenka?

Gauff commented on Sabalenka’s absence from Wimbledon after she opened her campaign with a victory. The player would have been a huge threat on the grass with her heavy groundstrokes and ability to move forward.

Gauff was projected to face Sabalenka in the semi-finals but after hearing that is no longer a possibility, the American shared some kind words about her rival.

“I wouldn’t have played her until the semis. It’s unfortunate that she had to pull out. She is always a contender on every slam and every surface,” the US Open champion said during her post-match press conference.

“She’s a nice person and I hate to see her not being able to play, especially it being such a last minute type thing. She was healthy up until Berlin, at least that’s my understanding.

“So hopefully she is able to get back ready, I don’t think she is playing in the Olympics, so hopefully she can be ready for the hard court swing.”

What is Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka’s Grand Slam head-to-head record?

Gauff and Sabalenka have played one another seven times and their last two meetings have come at Grand Slam events.

In 2023 the pair contested the US Open final. Sabalenka was aiming for her second major while Gauff was trying to win her first.

Despite going down a set, Gauff’s mental resilience, elite defence and court coverage enabled her to turn the match around as the home crowd roared her on.

She claimed a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory to secure her maiden Grand Slam at just 19 years of age. Gauff reached her first Australian Open semi-final in January, where she was beaten by Sabalenka who went on to claim the title for the second successive year.