3 Jun 2026
The worst injuries in Wimbledon history
Renowned for its tradition, intensity and elite level competition, Wimbledon is one of the most prestigious and recognisable sporting events in the world. Whilst the tournament is often associated with elegance and excellence, the physical demands placed on players are immense.
From explosive serves and rapid directional changes, through to gruelling 5 set matches played under pressure, tennis, at its highest level, places enormous strain on the human body. Over the years, Wimbledon has seen some of the sport’s most painful and career-defining injuries unfold on Centre Court.
Each summer, players push themselves to the limit in pursuit of one of the greatest achievements in professional tennis. However, behind the trophies and celebrations, lies the very real risk of serious physical injury, many of which can have lasting consequences both on and off the court.
But what exactly do these injuries involve, how have they impacted the players affected, and what do they reveal about the physical realities of elite-level tennis?
Let’s take a look.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands: Wimbledon, 2017
One of the most shocking injuries in recent Wimbledon history involved Bethanie Mattek-Sands during her second-round singles match in 2017, where she collapsed awkwardly whilst attempting to change direction on the baseline.
As she fell, Mattek-Sands suffered a devastating dislocation of her kneecap alongside a ruptured patellar tendon, leaving her in visible agony on the court and unable to move without assistance. The severity of the injury was immediately apparent to spectators, officials and medical teams alike.
Not only did the injury require surgery and extensive rehabilitation, it also temporarily halted the momentum of one of the sport’s most successful doubles players. The incident remains one of the most distressing moments witnessed at Wimbledon in recent years.
Serena Williams: Wimbledon, 2021
Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Serena Williams suffered a painful leg injury during her first-round match at Wimbledon in 2021 after slipping on the grass surface.
The injury affected her movement almost immediately, forcing her to retire from the match in tears as Centre Court watched on. Whilst the exact extent of the damage involved significant strain to her lower leg and hamstring, the moment also highlighted just how quickly even the most dominant athletes can be sidelined.
This injury also carried emotional significance for many fans, as it marked what would ultimately become Serena Williams’ final Wimbledon singles appearance.
Andy Murray: Wimbledon and long-term hip injuries
Throughout his career, Andy Murray has battled persistent hip problems which have repeatedly impacted his performances at Wimbledon and across the wider ATP Tour. Over time, the deterioration in his hip joint became so severe that it threatened to end his career entirely, eventually leading him to undergo major hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 - a procedure rarely seen in professional tennis.
Yet, despite concerns that he may never compete again at the highest level, Murray’s eventual return to Wimbledon demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. His journey also brought greater public attention to the long-term physical impact that elite sport can have on the body over time.
Rafael Nadal: Wimbledon, 2012 onwards
Rafael Nadal is another player whose Wimbledon career has been heavily affected by injury, particularly ongoing problems involving his knees, abdominal muscles and feet. Whilst he’s known for his relentless playing style and physical intensity, Nadal frequently competed through pain, with recurring injuries often forcing him to withdraw from tournaments or miss sections of the season entirely.
In fact, one of the most significant examples came in 2022 when an abdominal tear forced him to withdraw ahead of the Wimbledon semi-finals despite progressing deep into the tournament - an incident which demonstrated the extent to which elite athletes often push their bodies beyond normal physical limits in pursuit of success.
Juan Martín del Potro: Wimbledon, recurring injuries
For Juan Martín del Potro, injuries became one of the defining themes of an otherwise extraordinary career, as across multiple Wimbledon appearances and Grand Slam seasons, he suffered repeated wrist, knee and patella injuries which required surgery and lengthy rehabilitation periods.
Many of these injuries significantly disrupted his momentum and ability to compete consistently at the top of the sport. Despite these setbacks, he repeatedly fought his way back to elite competition, earning widespread admiration from fans and fellow professionals alike.
As such, his story remains one of the clearest examples of the physical and mental resilience required to recover from repeated serious injuries in professional tennis today.
Novak Djokovic: Wimbledon, 2023
During Wimbledon 2023, Novak Djokovic dealt with ongoing physical concerns involving his movement and conditioning following earlier injury struggles within the season. Whilst he ultimately continued competing at an elite level, the tournament once again demonstrated the cumulative physical strain placed on players throughout the professional calendar, particularly during long matches played on demanding surfaces, proving that even minor muscular issues or joint problems at this level can quickly escalate under tournament conditions, and that Wimbledon’s fast-paced nature often intensifies the pressure placed on the lower body and core.
Maria Sharapova: Wimbledon shoulder injuries
Throughout her career, Maria Sharapova struggled with chronic shoulder injuries that repeatedly impacted her ability to serve and compete consistently at Wimbledon. The repetitive overhead motion required in professional tennis places considerable stress on the shoulder joint, particularly across long careers.
For Sharapova, these issues eventually required surgery and extensive rehabilitation, and although she continued to compete following treatment, her recurring injuries highlighted the long-term wear and tear that repetitive elite-level movement patterns can place on the body over time.
Nick Kyrgios: Wimbledon, 2022 onwards
Following his run to the Wimbledon final in 2022, Nick Kyrgios faced a series of significant injury setbacks involving his knee, wrist and foot - injuries which ultimately disrupted his ability to build upon one of the strongest periods of his career, with surgeries and rehabilitation forcing extended periods away from competition.
Here, Kyrgios’ experience reflects the increasing physical demands placed on athletes competing at the highest level today. In modern tennis, repeated high-intensity movement, abrupt directional changes and year-round competition schedules can create significant pressure on joints and connective tissue even at the highest skilled athletes.
Monica Seles: Psychological trauma and physical recovery
Whilst not sustained directly during Wimbledon itself, the stabbing attack on Monica Seles in 1993 remains one of the most traumatic incidents in tennis history and had a lasting impact on her Wimbledon career and professional journey.
The incident caused both physical injury and severe psychological trauma, ultimately changing the trajectory of one of the sport’s brightest stars. Although Seles later returned to professional competition, the emotional and physical consequences of the attack remained significant throughout her career. Her experience also highlighted the importance of long-term medical, psychological and rehabilitative support following traumatic injury.
Emma Raducanu: Wimbledon, 2021
During her breakthrough run at Wimbledon in 2021, Emma Raducanu was forced to retire from her fourth-round match after experiencing breathing difficulties and physical distress on court. Whilst not classified as a traumatic injury in the traditional sense, the incident brought significant attention to the physical and psychological pressures faced by young athletes competing on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.
In fact, Raducanu’s experience sparked important conversations surrounding player welfare, pressure and recovery within professional tennis, all highlighted by the fact that the demands of elite sport can affect athletes in many different ways beyond visible physical injury alone.
Lifelong injury support from Speed Medical
The injuries sustained by players throughout Wimbledon history serve as powerful reminders of the physical intensity and demands involved in elite-level tennis. However, whilst many of these injuries are undeniably serious, they also reflect the resilience, determination and commitment shown by athletes striving to compete at the very highest level.
And so, as we continue to celebrate the excitement, history and prestige of tournaments like Wimbledon, it’s also important to prioritise athlete safety, wellbeing and access to long-term rehabilitation and recovery support both during and after competition too.
The gold standard in serious injury support
As the UK’s leading independent medical reporting agency and rehabilitation provider to the legal, healthcare and insurance industries, our team at Speed Medical works in partnership with organisations to deliver flexible, efficient and high-quality services for those affected by serious injury. With over 25 years of experience, we’ve developed a strong reputation built on expertise, robust processes and a commitment to exceptional customer service.
Together, this allows us to offer a bespoke approach which supports the complexities of serious injury and clinical negligence claims, ensuring access to the most appropriate experts for each case. Then, as a result of combining quality, adaptability and cost-effective solutions, we’re able to provide vital support when it matters most, helping individuals navigate the challenges of recovery and rehabilitation.
For more information or to run through any questions with our teams, please visit Speed Medical, contact us via email at info@speedmedical.com or call 0330 094 8749 – we’d be happy to help.
