Barty out of French Open
2019 women’s French Open champion and world number one Ashleigh
Barty retired hurt in her second round match at Roland Garros on Thursday.
Barty was one set-to-love down in her second round match against 45th-ranked Magda Linette when she threw in the towel on the Philippe Chatrier.
The Australian’s first round clash was also marred by injury after she called the trainer on to see to a left hip injury that she had and following her exit from the competition she’s gutted.
"It's heartbreaking," Barty said via AFP. "It's a miracle I got past the first round.
"We did absolutely everything we could to give myself a chance. It sucks.
"We have had such a brilliant clay-court season, and to kind of get a little bit unlucky with timing more than anything - to have something kind of acute happen over the weekend and just kind of run out of time against the clock is disappointing.
"It won't take away the brilliant three months that we have had, as much as it hurts right now."
Barty picked up her injury during her final training weekend before Roland Garros and despite this early exit from the competition she is happy with how the clay court swing of the season has gone.
"We have had an exceptional last two, two-and-a-half, three months, a little bit of a setback, and what happened today and this week here in Paris won't take away from that.
"It's disappointing to end like this. I've had my fair share of tears this week. It's all good. Everything happens for a reason.
"There will be a silver lining in this eventually. Once I find out what that is, it'll make me feel a little bit better," she added.
Following her withdrawal the women’s draw has been thrown wide open with both the top two seeds out of the competition.
Barty joins Naomi Osaka, who’s very public withdrawal from the competition leaves Aryna Sabalenka as the highest ranked player in the draw.
World number three Simona Halep is another player that isn’t in action in Paris following an injury that forced her to opt-out of the grand slam.
Defending champion Iga Swaitek is in action on Thursday against Rebecca Peterson and will fancy her chances to go back-to-back at Roland Garros with the top seeds out of action.
