Bethanie Mattek-Sands was being subjected to a battery of tests and medical analysis on Friday after dislocating her right knee in a fall during a second-round match at Wimbledon.
The grand slam doubles winner slipped on Thursday as she approached the net while playing Sorono Cirstea, leaving her screaming in agony.
Before being taken to hospital, the 32-year-old was treated on court, with her doubles partner Lucie Safarova reduced to tears as she came
from the locker while preparing for a subsequent singles match.
US Fed Cup captain Kathy Rinaldi told ESPN she stayed with the player for much of the night before Sands was transferred to another
hospital where sophisticated tests could be carried out.
“I’m deeply hurt after seeing my best friend getting badly injured today,” Safarova said on Instagram. “She is the biggest fighter and
one of the strongest people I know! I hope to see that great smile on court again soon!”
Nine-times Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova also tweeted she was “devastated” about Mattek-Sands’ injury, adding “we are all
behind you, hoping for the best…”
Mattek-Sands, who suffered a major ligament injury to the knee four years ago, owns five grand slam doubles titles with Safarova.
