Paris (AFP)
American Jennifer Brady, 14th player in the world, retired with a foot injury on Saturday in her match against her young compatriot Coco Gauff, after a set and only 23 minutes of play.
After the withdrawal of Naomi Osaka, 2nd in the world citing her anxiety and depressive episodes, the forfeit on injury of Petra Kvitova (12th) and finally that of the N.1 world Ashleigh Barty, also injured, it is a new head of series which leaves the Paris tournament prematurely.
Brady, finalist of the Australian Open 2021, threw in the towel after a short discussion with the doctor, after the first set, lost 6-1.
The 26-year-old, head down, visibly very dejected and on the verge of tears, shook her head several times, before putting away her rackets and going to greet her opponent, then leaving the court.
A little later in a press conference, she explained that she suffered from a foot injury, which has handicapped her since the tournament in Rome.
"This morning I felt that things were wrong. (...) On the court, I was at 20% of my capacity, I could hardly move, I could not serve at my full power", explained the American, specifying that she had considered for a while not to come to Roland Garros at all because of this pain, before deciding to "give it a try. (...) But today, the suffering was no longer bearable ".
Coco Gauff, 25th in the world, for the first time reached the 8th final at Roland Garros.
At 17, she thus equals her best Grand Slam performance, already achieved twice (Wimbledon 2019, Australian Open 2020).
In an attempt to climb for the first time in a quarterfinal for a Major, Gauff will meet Ons Jabeur, 26th in the world, who qualified on Saturday in three sets against Magda Linette (3-6, 6-0, 6-1) .
© 2021 AFP