Police are investigating allegations a British tennis player was deliberately poisoned during this year's Wimbledon tournament.

Scotland Yard is investigating whether the 18-year-old - named in reports as Gabriella Taylor - was targeted in early July.

The teenager was forced to withdraw from the girl's junior tournament midway through her quarter-final match.

Police launched a criminal investigation amid fears that she had been deliberately poisoned in an attempt to wreck her tournament chances.

It was initially thought Taylor had contracted a virus while playing overseas.


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

But after spending four days in intensive care, doctors diagnosed her with a rare strain of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can be transmitted through rat urine.

Taylor is yet to fully recover.

:: Q&A: Why Would Someone Poison A Tennis Prodigy?

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Merton police are investigating an allegation of poisoning with intent to endanger life.

"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.

"The victim was taken ill on 6 July. It is unknown where or when the poison was ingested.

Thank you @BritishTennis for the flowers😍🌸🌼 Making me feel that extra bit better☺️ pic.twitter.com/fAcfQ0trUr — Gabriella Taylor (@gabitaylorr) July 12, 2016

"The victim, an 18 year-old woman, received hospital treatment and is still recovering."

There have been no arrests.

Experts have told Sky News that to administer leptospirosis as a poison, someone would need high levels of specialist knowledge and advanced laboratories in order to grow the bacteria in a culture, that could then be "deliverable."

As a result, it's "not an obvious choice" as a poison.

On 11 July, Taylor tweeted: "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."

Image: Taylor is yet to fully recover

Her mother, 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 was full of confidence and was looking forward to getting the title; that was her dream. Everything was going 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."

Taylor has a world ranking of 419 on the senior tour after competing in seven senior events this year.

She was the last British player left in the junior singles, when she pulled out.