Alicia Molik has made the "heartbreaking" decision to withdraw from Wimbledon due to a slower than hoped for recovery from a virus that affects her inner ear.

The South Australian was due to play in the tournament in Eastbourne on Wednesday before making a late decision to pull out.

"I tried in Birmingham and I tried here, and that's very much in my nature, but I can't compete at a level that is satisfactory," she said.

"It was a long shot, and the doctors were right and I was wrong.

"I tried my best to get myself ready, there is nothing more that I could have done, and there is relief in a way that I tried."

It was a cruel blow for Molik, who trained fanatically since the virus struck in April in an effort to get herself ready for Wimbledon.

"It's heartbreaking," Molik said.

"It's an event that I never would have dreamed of missing and here I am now, I'm going to miss it.

"Maybe I will be able to sit back on the couch with Mum and Dad and watch it.

"I never thought I would be watching it on the couch again."

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