British teen tennis star Gabriella Taylor can be seen fighting for her life in hospital after claims she was poisoned with rat urine while competing at Wimbledon.
The 18-year-old had reached the quarter-final stage of the girl’s tournament, telling her Twitter followers how she was “so happy”.
But her delight at progressing through the tournament so turned to horror as she fell seriously ill.
Taylor spent four days in intensive care before doctors diagnosed a rare strain of Leptospirois, which can be transmitted through rat urine.
Scotland Yard are now investigating and have confirmed it is treating the case as an allegation of poisoning with intent to endanger life or cause GBH.
Police are reportedly investigating whether Taylor could have been targeted by an organised crime betting syndicate or a rival player or coach.
Her mum Milena Taylor told the Daily Telegraph : “Before the tournament she was in very good shape physically. She was totally healthy and playing very well.
“She got to the quarter-final, but then the next thing she is lying in intensive care close to death. When the infection team explained what it was we could not believe it.
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.
— Gabriella Taylor (@gabitaylorr) July 11, 2016
Still waiting for all blood tests to come in. Feeling a bit better today. Thx for all the support guys ❤️
— Gabriella Taylor (@gabitaylorr) July 11, 2016
“She was staying in a completely healthy environment. For her to get ill in these circumstances, with rat urine was just impossible.”
The Southampton-based star had been staying at the National Tennis Centre during the tournament and had only been travelling between there and The All England Club at Wimbledon.
Just to clarify, I have been struggling with a virus these few days, not food poisoning, forcing me to retire today. pic.twitter.com/HZxiFk2R4O
— Gabriella Taylor (@gabitaylorr) July 7, 2016
A Wimbledon spokesman confirmed Taylor had not dined at the players’ facilities during the tournament.
He said: “The All England Lawn Tennis Club has not been approached about the investigation which is a police matter. There is no record of Miss Taylor using her catering pass to eat on side at the Championships in 2016.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Merton police are investigating an allegation of poisoning with intent to endanger life or cause GBH.
“The allegation was received by officers on 5 August with the incident alleged to have taken place at an address in Wimbledon between 1-10 July.
So happy to be in my first quarters at @Wimbledon ! #letsdothis @BritishTennis @WilsonTennis pic.twitter.com/NRfcewGzVo
— Gabriella Taylor (@gabitaylorr) July 6, 2016
So happy to be back on court!!✌ Taking it step by step!@WilsonTennis @BritishTennis #sunin myeyes pic.twitter.com/R8xaJDmry6
— Gabriella Taylor (@gabitaylorr) August 10, 2016
“The victim was taken ill on 6 July. It is unknown where or when the poison was ingested. The victim, an 18 year-old woman, received hospital treatment and is still recovering.
“There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.”