Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 3 seed, heartbreakingly withdrew from Wimbledon on Monday due to a shoulder injury, just before her opening match, swapping Instagram therapy for actual therapy.

Sabalenka's sudden exit from Wimbledon sent shockwaves through the tennis community, as she revealed on Instagram that her shoulder injury, sustained at last month's Berlin Open, had sidelined her despite her best efforts. Scheduled contender Emina Bektas finds herself suddenly facing Erika Andreeva instead, adding to the bewilderment. The withdrawal trend continued with Russian No. 22 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova also stepping down due to illness, signaling this year's Wimbledon might need a therapist on hand for more than just physical injuries.

Sabalenka had been building up hopes, shaking off a lower back injury earlier this year and toughing it out through an illness at the French Open. Unfortunately, her shoulder seemed to miss the memo and decided to call it quits before Wimbledon could even begin.

"I tried everything possible to be ready for Wimbledon, but my shoulder wasn't listening," Sabalenka posted to her Instagram followers. It appears that even the most talented tennis players occasionally find themselves at the mercy of uncooperative body parts.

Replacing Sabalenka's opponent in the draw is Russian player Erika Andreeva, who must now scramble to prepare for a match she probably didn’t expect to play. Emina Bektas, who had been readying herself to face Sabalenka, is rumored to be fervently updating her game plan amid these last-minute changes.

The drama at Wimbledon isn’t just limited to Sabalenka. Ekaterina Alexandrova, the 22nd seed from Russia, also withdrew from her opening-round match. Her absence is attributed to illness, further proof that 2023 seems poised to drain every ounce of resilience from its players.

Taking Alexandrova’s place will be Mexican tennis player Renata Zarazua. Like Andreeva, Zarazua is now faced with the unexpected opportunity to play in one of tennis's most prestigious tournaments. Call it serendipity or just being vaguely ready for anything.

While withdrawal stories were prominent, the opening day of Wimbledon still promised exciting matchups. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, past Grand Slam title winners Coco Gauff, and Emma Raducanu were set to play. Raducanu, in particular, has had her own battles with injuries since her meteoric rise at the 2021 U.S. Open. Certainly, the excitement was palpable—as long as no one else's shoulder decided to make an early exit!

The ongoing saga of Raducanu's injuries serves as a somber reminder that even young talents are not invincible. As Alcaraz, Gauff, and others aim to make their mark, the absence of big names like Sabalenka and Alexandrova subtly shifts the tournament's dynamics. It's as if the tournament organizers need to keep a chiropractor on speed dial for the young talents!

Wimbledon has always been a blend of meticulous preparation and the unpredictable. It’s a place where underdogs can rise, and even the best plans might unravel in the face of the unexpected. With two top players out before the first serve, the 2023 tournament is already living up to its reputation for unpredictability.