A rising British tennis star who was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon after being struck down by a mystery illness may have been deliberately poisoned, it has been claimed.
Scotland Yard is investigating allegations that Gabriella Taylor, 18, from Southampton, was targeted during last month’s championships.
The tennis player spent four days in intensive care after becoming unwell and her mother, Milena Taylor, told the Daily Telegraph her daughter was “close to death”.
Scotland Yard said police in the London borough of Merton, which covers Wimbledon, were investigating an allegation of poisoning with the “intent to endanger life” or cause grievous bodily harm.
No arrests have been made.
“The allegation was received by officers on August 5 with the incident alleged to have taken place at an address in Wimbledon between July 1-10. The victim was taken ill on July 6. It is unknown where or when the poison was ingested,” a spokesman said.
“The victim, an 18-year-old woman, received hospital treatment and is still recovering.”
Miss Taylor contracted a strain of the bacteria leptospirosis, which is usually spread by animals and can in rare cases cause organ failure, her mother told the Daily Telegraph.
She said her daughter was staying “in a completely healthy environment” and it was “impossible” for her to have become ill.
“The bacteria the infection team found is so rare in Britain that we feel this could not have been an accident,” she told the paper.
“Her bags with her drinks in were often left unattended in the players’ lounge and someone could have taken the opportunity to contaminate her drink.”
On July 11, Miss Taylor tweeted: “For those who don’t know, I have been in intensive care in Southampton general hospital these past 4 days suffering from an unknown cause.
“Still waiting for all blood tests to come in. Feeling a bit better today. Thx for all the support guys.”
But the young player appears to be on the road to recovery.
On Wednesday she tweeted a picture of herself on a tennis court with the caption: “So happy to be back on court!! Taking it step by step!”
