Agnieszka Radwanska
Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland celebrates after defeating Angelique Kerber of Germany in their women's semi-final tennis match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London July 5, 2012.Reuters

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, who reached her first grand slam final, has received a setback even before taking on former world no. 1 Serena Williams in the Wimbledon 2012 final on Saturday as she has picked up an upper respiratory illness.

She signaled that all is not well with her health by failing to attend a news conference on the eve of the Wimbledon final, casting doubts if she will be fit to take on the tournament's favourite.

In a statement released by the All England Club, Agnieszka Radwanska said: "Unfortunately, I have picked up an upper respiratory illness, which is affecting my nose and throat," she said in a statement issued by the All England Club.

"I have been playing a lot of matches here in the rain and cold wind, and I haven't been well for a few days. The most important thing is that I'm feeling good on the court and playing some good tennis, despite not being able to talk much away from the court. The priority is my singles match tomorrow (Saturday), so I will do whatever it takes to make sure I'm ready to play the best I can."

She said that she has decided to pull out of the women's doubles due to illness.

"It was unfortunate that the illness meant I had to withdraw from doubles. Of course, it is always a good sign to be playing singles and doubles in the second week of a grand slam, but I wasn't able to continue in both events," she said in her press statement.

Radwanska showed symptoms of ill health during the post-match press conference after beating Angelique Kerber in the semi final.

"As everyone could see yesterday, I wasn't able to complete my press conference," she said, adding, "I was really hoping that I would have improved overnight so I could come in to finish my press today, but unfortunately I can't speak for very long, and so I have done as much as I can do today. I'm very sorry about that."

Agnieszka Radwanska became the first Polish woman to reach a grand slam final since Jadwiga Jedrzejowska at the French Open 1939 French after beating Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-3 6-4 in the semi final.

Currently ranked world no.3, Radwanska will take on Serena Williams in the Wimbledon 2012 final on Saturday. She will top the world rankings for the first time if she wins the title.

Meanwhile, Serena, who beat Victoria Azarenka 6-3 7-6 to reach the final, is eying her fifth Wimbledon title.