It’s a new chapter, Elena Rybakina acknowledges, as the defending ladies’ champion at Wimbledon.

The spotlight is brighter, opponents more inspired. And Centre Court billing can bring some intimidating spectators, with Roger Federer a front row guest in her first match.

And yet the world No.3 is taking the pressure admirably in her 6ft stride. Rybakina had improved with every outing since a dropped set in the first round against Shelby Rogers, with subsequent wins over Alize Cornet and Katie Boulter achieved with minimal fuss.

A fourth round meeting with Beatriz Haddad Maia, the No.13 seed from Brazil, promised a different encounter.

While Rybakina was the first defending champion to reach the second week of The Championships since Serena Williams in 2016, she had lost twice to Haddad Maia this season in the only two matches they had played.

The 27-year-old from Brazil is an accomplished grass court competitor, with the 2022 Nottingham and Birmingham titles on her record. Among active players, only Caroline Garcia (with 21) has won more matches on grass.

But it was a heart-breaking injury, not Haddad Maia’s dangerous left-handed form, that ultimately proved the defining factor in an abbreviated encounter.

After dropping serve in the fourth game, the 27-year-old clutched her back and immediately requested a trainer.

She left the court for a medical timeout but was clearly in pain and physically hampered when she resumed the match.

She played just one more game, Rybakina easily winning it, before tearfully conceding she couldn’t continue.

Haddad Maia left the court to a standing ovation, the audience clearly appreciative of her brave attempt to play on.

"It's never easy to finish the match like this and I hope it's nothing really serious," said a gracious Rybakina, who was leading 4-1 when Haddad-Maia retired after 27 minutes. “Obviously it was just one moment that was very unlucky for Beatriz and hopefully she's going to get better.”

Rybakina was encouraged that she “was feeling the ball well” in some challenging conditions at the All England Club, the world No.3 adding three aces to the 316 she’s served so far this year. She has won 32 of her 33 service games in four Wimbledon matches so far.

“Obviously it was a bit windy today. It's not to easy to serve, but I think I started really well and unfortunately couldn't finish,” said Rybakina, who next will face Ons Jabeur, the runner-up in their 2022 ladies’ final, or two-time champion Petra Kvitova. “I’m just looking forward to another round.”

Rybakina approaches that quarter-final with any nerves as the defending champion gradually abating.

“I'm feeling much better and more confident coming and playing on Centre Court. It is different from the first round,” she said, acknowledging it took time early on to adjust to the atmosphere.

“I think now mentally I'm much better. Physically also good now. Yeah, hopefully I just continue like this.”

New this year:

See the draw like never before, with interactive Path to the Final view of the draw by clicking a player’s name on the draws page

See the projected Path to the Final of every player in the Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ singles draws with IBM Likely to Play

View how favourable or difficult a player's draw is, with IBM AI Draw Analysis