“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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