World setter Ashleight Barty led the quarterfinals of the Italian Open 6-4, 2-1, against 17-year-old Coco Gauff, when she suddenly interrupted the match.
The reason: A right arm injury.
- The pain became too severe, so it was important that I listened to my body.
Especially since we have a Grand Slam in two weeks, Barty, referring to the French Open, told AP.
It's been a tough competition schedule for Barty lately.
She has played finals in three of four tournaments - on two continents.
The arm injury is something she had problems with already when she was 15-16 years old.
- It is an already existing injury.
It shows up every now and then, she says.
Barty, who won the French Open 2019, missed the Grand Slam tournament due to the corona.
This year, however, she has made a fine effort.
The 24-year-old won the title in Stuttgard and finished second in the Madrid Open last week.
CLIP: Here the world three loses their temper - on the surface (May 6, 2021)
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Here, the world three loses their temper - on the surface