Thursday 23 June 2016 14:47, UK
Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from Wimbledon after failing to recover from a knee injury.
The Belarussian, a former world No 1, has been sidelined since retiring from a first round match at the French Open last month and organisers confirmed she will be absent when the grass court tournament begins next Monday.
This is the latest fitness setback for the 26-year-old, who has previously been hampered by foot injuries.
Azarenka, who would have been seeded six at the championships, twice came agonisingly close to reaching a Wimbledon final.
She suffered a semi-final loss to Petra Kvitova in 2011 and then was beaten by Serena Williams at the same stage in 2012.
Her withdrawal means five-time champion Venus Williams will move up into the top eight seeds and Britain's Johanna Konta into the top 16.
