British tennis player Johanna Konta is currently in Melbourne, competing at the season’s first Grand Slam tournament. Johanna was up against Solvenia’s Kaja Juvan in the first round.
In an unfortunate turn of events, the World No. 13 was forced to retire from the match as she suffered from an issue surrounding her abdominal area. Konta retired from the match at 6-4 0-2.
After claiming the first set 6-4, Konta had the upper hand as she required to win a set to move into the next round. But during the match, she needed medical assistance and had to tape her stomach and have her hip treated.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
It seems like a serious injury or else the former World No. 4 would have completed the match.
Johanna Konta retires very early in the second set
During the second set, she looked uncomfortable and after getting broken in her opening service game, she decided to end her journey at this season’s Australian Open.
It’s an unusual situation where a player retires from a match after being one set up and having the advantage in the match, which goes to indicate the situation is serious.
After Konta’s exit, it leaves only two British players competing at the season’s first Grand Slam – Cam Norrie and Heather Watson.
Qualifier Kaja Juvan progresses as No.13 seed Konta is forced to retire at 6-4, 0-2. #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/akVSnh7Gtv
— wta (@WTA) February 9, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Johanna’s best performance in the Australian Open was in 2016 when she reached the semifinal. She lost to eventual champion Angelique Kerber that year.
In the previous season, Konta lost in the first round of the Australian Open. After that, she was seen at the US Open and came as far as the second round. Later at Roland Garros, she made an early exit after her opening-round loss.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The British player had a successful season in 2019. During that year, she reached the semi-final at the French Open. After that, she was a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon and the US Open.