Annette González Etxebarri, the world's number 8 in the Challengers and first replacement for the CT 2027, underwent surgery on her left knee, she announced on social media.

She didn't specify exactly what problem she's facing, but she's been seen wearing a knee brace at recent events and said that after returning home from Australia, where she competed in the last CS event: “The orthopedist's diagnosis broke my heart. It was a shock: the injury was serious and required emergency surgery.”

“The truth is, I recovered mentally the next day. I had complete faith in them, and today I had surgery at Miks Hospital. Everything went well; they were incredibly dedicated to my injury, and I am immensely grateful to the entire team,” she added.

Her letter, which she accompanied with a photo of herself in a hospital bed, began by saying: “2026 is proving to be very intense! It is testing me.”

“I love to compete, but I also love my family, my friends and my hometown, Zumaia, so my goal in this new challenge will remain the same: To live, enjoy, learn, improve myself and give my all every day of my recovery,” he added.

Finally, she joked: “A dog or a boyfriend wouldn’t be bad right now! Better yet, a boyfriend with a dog! Let’s keep our sense of humor alive every day!”

The severity of the injury and the time it will take to recover are unknown, but it seems clear that if a replacement option arises for her at the CT, she will not be able to be part of the Australian leg team.