Injured Victoria Azarenka withdraws from Wimbledon

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus plays a forehand during her Ladies’ Singles first round match against Maria Joao Koehler of Portugal on day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 24, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Injured second seed Victoria Azarenka was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon on Wednesday just minutes before she was due on Centre Court.

The Australian Open champion suffered a right knee injury in her first round win over Maria Joao Koehler of Portugal.

Azarenka had been due to play Italy’s Flavia Pennetta first up on Centre Court for a place in the third round.