Police investigate 'poisoning' of British player at Wimbledon

A general view of the Wimbledon logo on day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on June 23, 2014
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Scotland Yard is investigating claims that a British tennis player was poisoned at last month's Junior Wimbledon championship.

Police are looking into claims that a teenage British tennis player was poisoned while competing at Wimbledon last month.

Scotland Yard says it has received an allegation that Gabriella Taylor was poisoned with an intent to endanger life or cause grievous bodily harm.

Taylor spent four days in intensive care after becoming unwell during the Wimbledon Juniors girls' quarter-final match, costing her a chance of winning a first Grand Slam.

The 18-year-old suffered from an unknown disease, which later transpired to be leptospirosis - a bacterial disease usually spread by animals.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Taylor's mother Milena revealed that the matter, which left her daughter "close to death", is being dealt with by police.

A police statement, which did not name Taylor, read: "The victim was taken ill on July 6. It is unknown where or when the poison was ingested.

"The victim, an 18-year-old woman, received hospital treatment and is still recovering. No arrests, inquiries continue."

Taylor had been the last Brit standing at Wimbledon last month after eight of her compatriots crashed out at the second-round stage.

Andy Murray serves during his second-round match against Aljaz Bedene on day four of the Aegon Championships on June 16, 2016
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