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Taylor has returned to full health and will look to qualify for next month's Wimbledon main draw. John Walton

Tennis player who 'almost died' after suspected poisoning granted Wimbledon wildcard

A police investigation was launched after Gabriella Taylor spent four days in intensive care.

TWELVE MONTHS AFTER being struck down by a virus which prompted a police investigation, British tennis player Gabriella Taylor has been granted a wildcard entry for this year’s Wimbledon qualifying tournament.

The 19-year-old was forced to withdraw from her girls’ singles quarter-final match at SW19 last July and spent four days in intensive care, with her mother claiming she ‘almost died’ from the illness.

Taylor, ranked 284th in the world, was diagnosed with Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread by animals, and Scotland Yard launched an investigation amid suspicion that she had been deliberately poisoned.

Taylor’s mother said her daughter’s drinks were often left unattended in the Wimbledon players’ lounge, speculating that someone could have contaminated her drink.

In a statement to The Telegraph today, Metropolitan Police confirmed that the investigation had concluded in February and had found ‘no evidence of any crime scene, motive or suspect(s) who deliberately administered any substances to the victim.’

The Wimbledon qualifying tournament begins on 26 June before the 2017 championships start on 3 July.

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Ryan Bailey
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