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BARTY 2021 ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN
Roland Garros, Tennis News, WTA Tennis Players

“It’s heartbreaking” – Ash Barty forced to retire against Magda Linette at French Open


World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty is out of the 2021 French Open after being forced to retire through injury against Magda Linette.

Linette was leading 6-1, 2-2 when the Australian was forced to pull the plug due to a hip injury.

“It’s heartbreaking. We’ve had such a brilliant clay-court season and to kind of get unlucky with timing with an acute injury,” Barty said in her post-match press conference.

“It’s a tough one. For something acute to happen over the weekend. It was a small miracle we were able to get on court for the first round.”

The 25-year-old revealed after her first round win against Bernarda Pera that she was “not 100%” after suffering a hip “flare-up” leading up to the tournament.

Barty lost the first set in just 25 minutes after losing serve twice and winning just 14 of the 44 points played.

She then received a medical timeout before the second set, and retired after both players held twice.

It is a first top 10 win for world No. 45 Linette – who will face 25th seed Ons Jabeur in the third round.

This third round run is also the 29-year-old Pole’s joint-best Grand Slam result.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.