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Boris Becker has told Novak Djokovic to be aggressive and “let it all out” if he has any hope of upsetting Jannik Sinner.

An injury walkover has set up Djokovic for his latest meeting with the Italian, but Sinner is the heavy favourite having won the pair’s five previous matches.

Defeating Sinner, and then possibly Carlos Alcaraz, is the biggest hurdle in the way of Djokovic and his much-desired 25th Grand Slam, but the Serbian’s near exit in the previous rounds suggests it will be a tall order.

Becker, who coached Djokovic for three years, suggested his former pupil must play on the front foot if he has any hope of victory.

“Let it all out,” Becker urged Djokovic via TNT Sports. “If you hope that Sinner will give it to you, then you are mistaken.

“You have to be the first one that goes for the corners, you have to decide the tempo of the match and control the centre of the court and get your free points on the first serve.

“Take a bit of a chance on Sinner’s second serve, and also Sinner struggled physically a few days ago, so once you get to the three-hour mark, I don’t think it’s a disadvantage for Djokovic, even though he is much older.

“The longer he can stay in the match, the higher the chance he can win.”

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Becker did, though, raise one issue of Djokovic’s lack of match practice compared to his younger rival, having not played a tournament since early November before the Australian Open.

Blisters on his feet during his match against L. Musetti hinted at Djokovic’s lack of match readiness.

“You don’t get match fit in practice even if you are Novak Djokovic,” Becker continued.

“You can see that with the blisters on his foot, you get blisters by not having enough calluses on your feet, and you get calluses by playing a lot of matches.

“He has to play better tennis and it starts with the foot. The physio and the doctors have to do the best job of putting on enough protection so he can run, and then he has to let it all out.

“If he holds back and is too defensive and tentative, then Sinner will crush him. If he goes in thinking of the best Djokovic that has played in Melbourne, then he has a chance.”

Read next: WTA Rankings Winners & Losers Australian Open: Sabalenka’s No 1 lead grows, Rybakina +2, Keys -6

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Emma Raducanu has announced her split from Francisco Roig after a six-month partnership with the Spaniard.

World No 29 Raducanu released a short statement on Thursday confirming her split with Roig, a former coach of Rafael Nadal, following a difficult start to her 2026 season.

The Brit played just one match at the United Cup in Perth, falling to Maria Sakkari in three sets, before an underwhelming straight-sets loss to world No 204 Taylah Preston at the Hobart International.

Raducanu was then beaten in straight sets by world No 55 Anastasia Potapova at the Australian Open, with the Brit having now lost six of her nine matches since the end of the 2025 US Open.

Speaking after her loss to Potapova in Melbourne, the 23-year-old spoke of a “misalignment” within her game, and it has now been confirmed that Roig will not part of her journey to solve that concern.

The former US Open champion took to her Instagram story on Thursday to announce her split from Roig, following a partnership that started at the Cincinnati Open last August.

She wrote: “Francis, thank you for our time together.

“You have been more than a coach to me and I will cherish the many good times we spent together on the court.

“While we have come to the conclusion together that we ought not to move forward, please know that I am very grateful for all you have taught me and fond of our time shared.”

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Raducanu’s decision to split with Roig means that she is again without a coach, having now worked with eight different permanent coaches during her professional career.

The Brit’s partnership with Nick Cavaday, from the start of 2024 until early 2025, has been her longest since her 2021 US Open triumph, with Raducanu having worked with Mark Petchey on a temporary basis in between her split with Cavaday and the start of her time with Roig.

According to The i, the Brit will work with Alexis Canter over the next few weeks before she looks to make a new permanent hire.

Raducanu is set to return to action at the Transylvania Open next week, with the world No 29 set to be the top seed at the WTA 250 event.

Her campaign in Cluj will then be followed by back-to-back WTA 1000 events in the Middle East, with the Qatar Open in Doha swiftly followed by the Dubai Tennis Championships.

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Read Next: WTA Rankings Winners & Losers Australian Open: Sabalenka’s No 1 lead grows, Rybakina +2, Keys -6

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Novak Djokovic has issued a blunt response to Mats Wilander after the Swedish tennis great claimed he is making a mistake with his comments about Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz and Sinner have each won four of the last eight Grand Slams, and Djokovic has repeatedly acknowledged the superiority of the leading duo in interviews.

After reaching the semi-finals at the 2026 Australian Open, Djokovic said: “Are they (Alcaraz and Sinner) better right now than me and all the other guys? Yes, they are. I mean, the quality and the level is amazing. It’s great. It’s phenomenal.

“But does that mean that I walk out with the white flag? No. I’m going to fight until the last shot, until the last point, and do my very best to challenge them.”

Djokovic looked to be heading for the exit door at the Australian Open when his quarter-final opponent Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire due to injury when leading by two sets to love.

What did Mats Wilander say about Novak Djokovic?

In his column for French newspaper L’Equipe earlier this week, Wilander — a seven-time Grand Slam winner — questioned the way Djokovic speaks about Alcaraz and Sinner.

“I’m surprised he keeps saying so often that they’re the best in the world and that they’re so much better than him. Whether it’s true or not, even if it’s kind of him, he shouldn’t say it,” the former world No 1 said.

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“He’s probably trying to take the pressure off himself and make people forget that he’s still a contender for the biggest things.

“I don’t think it’s a strategy, though; it’s just his philosophy. He sees the world clearly; with him, it’s black or white.”

What did Novak Djokovic say about Mats Wilander’s comments?

Djokovic was asked for his reaction to Wilander’s opinion by Serbian website Sport Klub, and the 24-time major champion made his feelings clear with a brief message.

“I respect Mats a lot, but I don’t think I need his advice,” Djokovic said (translated from Serbian).

Novak Djokovic will face Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open

Djokovic will take on Sinner, the world No 2 and two-time reigning Australian Open champion, in the second semi-final in Melbourne on Friday.

The winner will play either world No 1 Alcaraz or world No 3 Alexander Zverev in the championship match.

READ NEXT: Watch: Novak Djokovic calls out ‘disrespectful’ question involving Alcaraz, Sinner, Federer & Nadal

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Only two women are left in action in the Australian Open women’s singles draw, with Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina set to do battle for the title on Saturday.

It will be the 15th career meeting between the two women, and it is the second time that they have met in the final of the Australian Open, after Sabalenka battled past Rybakina to lift her first major title in 2023.

Both women are already guaranteed significant boosts in the WTA Rankings ahead of the final, but who else is set for a big move — either up or down the rankings — after the tournament? Here, we look at the WTA Rankings winners and losers from the Australian Open.

Official WTA Rankings (January 19, 2026)

1) Aryna Sabalenka, 10,990
2) Iga Swiatek, 8,328
3) Coco Gauff, 6,423
4) Amanda Anisimova, 6,320
5) Elena Rybakina, 5,850
6) Jessica Pegula, 5,453
7) Mirra Andreeva, 4,731
8) Jasmine Paolini, 4,267
9) Madison Keys, 4,111
10) Belinda Bencic, 3,512

Sabalenka entered the tournament as the world No 1 and, regardless of her result, was guaranteed to stay at the top of the WTA Rankings.

It was possible that Swiatek’s position as the world No 2 could be challenged, while Gauff, Anisimova, Rybakina, and Pegula were all in line to contest a tight battle right in the middle of the top 10.

Elsewhere, all eyes were on world No 9 Keys, who had a significant 2,000 points to defend as the reigning Australian Open champion — entering the tournament at risk of a significant rankings drop.

Live WTA Rankings (as of January 29, 2026)

1) Aryna Sabalenka, 10,990
2) Iga Swiatek, 7,978
3) Elena Rybakina, 6,910 (+2)
4) Amanda Anisimova, 6,680
5) Coco Gauff, 6,423 (-2)
6) Jessica Pegula, 6,103
7) Mirra Andreeva, 4,731
8) Jasmine Paolini, 4,267
9) Belinda Bencic, 3,342 (+1)
10) Elina Svitolina, 3,205 (+2)

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Sabalenka has successfully matched her run from twelve months ago and will remain on at least 10,990 points, though she will hold 11,690 points if she wins the title.

Meanwhile, Swiatek has dropped ranking points after her quarter-final exit to Rybakina, dropping 350 points from her 2025 semi-final run.

However, her result — coupled with results elsewhere — means she has done more than enough to remain as the world No 2.

Regardless of the outcome of the final, Rybakina will be up to world No 3 on Monday, with Anisimova fourth and Gauff dropping two places to fifth.

Pegula, Andreeva, and Paolini’s positions remain unchanged, while Bencic and Svitolina are both set to rise into the top 10.

Who are the big winners?

Perhaps the big winner is Sabalenka, who looks as secure as ever as the world No 1, with her lead over world No 2 Swiatek already having increased ahead of Saturday’s final.

There is also good news for Rybakina, who will be back up to her career-high ranking of world No 3, cementing a significant resurgence after being ranked outside the top 10 as recently as July 2025.

The Kazakh holds 6,910 points in the live rankings, though will move to 7,610 points if she lifts her second Grand Slam singles title on Saturday.

Elsewhere, semi-finalist Svitolina is set to return to the top 10 for the first time since 2021, and for the first time since welcoming her first child in 2022.

Rising star Victoria Mboko is set to rise three places to a new career-high ranking of world No 13, while Naomi Osaka rises three places to world No 14 despite her mid-tournament withdrawal.

US teen sensation Iva Jovic is set to rise seven spots to a new career-high of world No 20 next Monday, after reaching her first Grand Slam quarter-final in Melbourne.

Other notable movers further down the rankings include Wang Xinyu, who has risen 13 places to world No 33 after reaching round four, while Peyton Stearns is up 18 places to world No 50, and Zeynep Somnez rises 33 places to world No 79.

Who are the big losers?

The most notable player set to drop down the ranking is defending Australian Open champion Keys, who will drop 1,760 of the 2,000 points she gained for lifting the title in 2025.

Having been ranked inside the top 10 since her victory in Melbourne twelve months ago, the 30-year-old will now drop six places to world No 15 next Monday.

Also slipping down the rankings is Gauff, who, despite matching her quarter-final run from 2025, will fall two places to world No 5 after Anisimova’s quarter-final and Rybakina’s final run.

Clara Tauson and Emma Navarro are both set to drop two places to 16th and 17th, respectively, while Marta Kostyuk will fall three places to world No 23.

Facing a significant drop is Dayana Yastremska, who is projected to fall 15 places to world No 43 after her opening-round exit in Melbourne.

2025 semi-finalist Paula Badosa is set to drop a staggering 39 places after falling in the second round, with the Spaniard provisionally at 65th in the WTA Live Rankings.

Eva Lys is projected to fall 20 places to world No 59, while Daria Kasatkina is expected to drop 19 places to world No 62.

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Aryna Sabalenka has been labelled “the Jannik Sinner” of women’s tennis as she was hailed for an “amazing” performance that saw her reach the 2026 Australian Open final.

The two-time Australian Open champion stormed to a 6-2, 6-3 semi-final victory against world No 12 Elina Svitolina to advance to her fourth consecutive final at Melbourne Park.

The world No 1 has won 11 straight matches and 22 sets in a row in a remarkably dominant start to the 2026 season, having won the Brisbane International prior to the year’s first major.

Sabalenka has now reached seven successive hard-court Grand Slam finals in a run that started at the 2023 Australian Open.

In her post-match interview, Sabalenka reacted to being in yet another championship match in Melbourne.

“I just cannot believe that honestly,” said the Belarusian. “That’s an incredible achievement, but the job is not done yet.

“Super happy with the win, she’s a tough opponent, [she] was playing really incredible tennis throughout the whole week and, yeah, just super happy to be through this tough match.”

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Jamie Murray, a former doubles world No 1, likened Sabalenka to Sinner, a four-time men’s major winner.

“For me, she’s kind of like the Sinner of women’s tennis, especially when it comes to hard courts and how dominant she is,” Murray told TNT Sports.

The Brit also lauded Sabalenka’s display against Svitolina.

“I mean she played an amazing match, didn’t she? She was so strong from the start,” Murray assessed.

“She came through really in all the clutch moments. There were seven deuce games. She won six of them and that is a big difference in the in the scoreline. Too aggressive, too much power, too good on the return of serve as well.

“Svitolina knows she had to play with more risks, go for more on her first serve, and take more chances from the baseline to take control of the points, but of course that comes with the ability to potentially make more errors.

“I don’t think she played a bad match, I just think Sabalenka was too good. Her tempo is so high, the ball’s back at you like a rocket, there’s no time to think and make decisions in the point.”

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Novak Djokovic has admitted that his ‘biggest concern’, physically, is a blister which hindered him during his victory over Lorenzo Musetti, adding he has no ‘other major issues.’

The Serb moved into his 13^th Australian Open semi-final after Musetti retired whilst up 6-4, 6-3, 1-3 in their quarter-final match due to a leg injury.

The Italian looked in control and on his way to a maiden last four appearance down under when he was struck down by a reoccurring injury, playing for another few games before waving the white flag.

Djokovic, for his part, had also looked physically off throughout the match, seemingly not wanting to stretch with the same athleticism as he is famous for.

The world No 4 received a medical timeout in the second set for a large blister on the bottom of his foot, with the physio applying large amounts of tape to the issue.

Throughout the treatment, he was seen strongly wincing as the iodine solution was applied to the wound.

“I had a blister that needed to be looked at and retaped,” Djokovic revealed during his post-match press conference.

“That’s what I did last match and now. That’s the biggest of my concerns, to be honest. I don’t have any other major issues.

“I mean, you always have some minor issues with your body, at least for me every single day. But major issues, no.

“Thankfully, that’s still not posing a challenge for me and obstacle in order for me to be able to play and move around the way I want to.”

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Despite Djokovic’s assessment, he was also observed stretching his back throughout the second set and the beginning of the third, including during Musetti’s medical time out just prior to the premature conclusion of the match.

The 10-time Australian Open champion is seeking a 25^th Grand Slam singles title, which would him above any player in history – man or woman.

He currently shares the record with Margaret Court, who also won 19 women’s doubles and 21 mixed doubles such trophies).

However, Djokovic will next take on two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, who is on a 20-match winning streak after a sensational end to the 2025 season.

The Italian has also had his fair share of physical issues during the tournament after suffering from full-body cramps during his third-match against American Eliot Spizzirri.

Sinner has won all of their five most recent clashes, collecting 10 consecutive sets against the former world No 1.

Heading into the semi-final, Djokovic hasn’t won a set since the third round after his fourth-round opponent, Jakub Mensik, withdrew prior to their clash.

Despite the relatively stress-free route to the last four, the Serb isn’t sure whether the extra rest will be a source of benefit or hidnerance.

“To be quite frank, I have no idea at this stage of my career what serves me and what doesn’t,” he said.

“I had a walkover in the fourth round and should have been beaten today, and I was two sets to love down and got the win.

“So I am going to double my prayers tonight and gratitude to the God for giving me this opportunity once again, so I am going to do my best in a couple of days to use it.”

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Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek have echoed Coco Gauff’s complaints about the lack of privacy for players at the Australian Open, while Serena Williams also sent a message of support to the American star.

After Gauff lost 1-6, 2-6 to Elina Svitolina in the Australian Open quarter-finals, the tournament’s behind the scenes cameras broadcasted the two-time Grand Slam winner breaking her racket in a corridor.

In her press conference, Gauff said: “I tried to go somewhere where they wouldn’t broadcast it, but obviously they did.

“So maybe some conversations can be had because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room.”

Gauff later took to social media to write: “Living and learning, but still will keep trying to move forward.

“Also, I’m a real person with real feelings… I care a lot and I’m trying my best. Thank you to those who understand that.”

Footage of Swiatek forgetting her accreditation at Melbourne Park was another popular clip shared online during this year’s event, and the Polish star backed Gauff’s thoughts on the cameras after her quarter-final loss to Elena Rybakina.

“The question is, are we tennis players, or are we animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop? That was exaggerating, obviously, but it would be nice to have some privacy,” said the world No 2 and six-time major champion.

“It would be nice also to have your own process and not always be observed.

“I don’t think it should be like that because we’re tennis players, we’re meant to be watched on the court and in the press, that’s our job. It’s not our job to be a meme when you forget your accreditation.

“It’s funny, for sure. People have something to talk about. But, for us, I don’t think it’s necessary.”

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Djokovic revealed he is “against” there being so many cameras and admitted it can be “frightening” if you forget about their presence.

“I empathise with her. I know what it feels like to break a racquet. I’ve done it a few times in my career. I know how it is to be frustrated, particularly after a match where you underperform,” the 24-time Grand Slam winner told reporters after reaching the semi-finals.

“And I agree with her. It’s really sad that you can’t move away anywhere and hide and fume out your frustration, your anger, in a way that won’t be captured by a camera.

“But we live in a society where content is everything. It’s a deeper discussion. It’s really hard for me to see the trend changing in the opposite direction, meaning we take out cameras.

“It’s only going to be as it is or even more cameras. I’m surprised we have no cameras while we’re taking a shower. That’s probably the next step.

“I’m against it. I think there should be a limit and a borderline where this is our space. You gotta be careful. I remember the time when we didn’t have so many cameras.

“Getting used to having an eye that you don’t hear that you sometimes forget about, always on you, is frightening. At times you wanna relax and be yourself in a sense that you don’t want the public to see.”

Tennis icon Serena Williams took to X/Twitter to praise Gauff’s passion and joked she could teach her fellow American how to “demolish” a racket in “one swipe.”

“Passion. Caring. Matters. Nothing wrong with hating to lose,” wrote the 23-time major champion.

“Now Coco when you want I can show you how to demolish in one swipe… Serena style.”

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Jannik Sinner is on a ‘different level’ from other players who ‘just can’t hang with him’, according to Jamie Murray.

The Italian collected his 19^th match win in a row at the Australian Open after beating Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals.

Sinner is also on an overall 20-match winning streak, having ended the 2025 season by winning titles at the Vienna Open, Paris Masters, and the Nitto ATP Finals.

The world No 2’s future in Melbourne looked dim in the third round after suffering from full-body cramps against American Eliot Spizzirri, a problem which has been absent in his two subsequent matches.

Jamie Murray, seven-time Grand Slam champion and former British No 1, was effusive in his praise of Sinner after his victory over Shelton.

“He’s on a different level,” said Murray, whilst speaking on TNT Sports.

“Guys just can’t hang with him. Even with Shelton’s firepower it is so difficult.

“He is so good at neutralising the play and getting himself back into position in the court, and once he has a position to get his front foot forward it’s so hard for guys to get back into the rally, there is no let-up.

“The challenge against Sinner is his tempo is so high in the rally and he is so quick from side to side, and it is so difficult to deal with him once you are in a rally.”

Sinner has now won 22 sets in a row against Shelton, including all of their eight most recent meetings.

The American had prevailed in their first meeting at the 2023 edition of the Shanghai Masters, claiming a 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) victory.

However, on this occasion, Sinner’s more all-around game meant that he was rarely troubled, breaking on three occasions and saving all four break points which he faced.

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Tim Henman, former British No 1 and TNT Sports contributor, also weighed in with his analysis of why the four-time Grand Slam champion is a step above the field.

“Although Shelton tried a few different things, mixing up his serve and trying to finish up a few points at the net, time and time again Sinner comes up with the answers,” commented the Brit.

“That’s why he is so difficult for everybody to beat on a hard court.

“Sinner is serving incredibly well and then on the return of serve, Shelton has one of the best serves out there, but Sinner is in most service games and putting the pressure on.

“Then on both wings he is devastating.

“He has to play some of the best tennis of his life to win the baseline exchanges, and unfortunately for him when he had some second serve returns, he didn’t make his opponent play.

“But his game is moving in the right direction. He has reached another Grand Slam quarter-final, and he will go away and look at where he can improve to have an impact against Sinner.

“We know that Sinner is so tough, but when you have a serve like Shelton and you haven’t won a set in the last 22, he will want to put that straight next time they meet.”

Sinner will play 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the last four, with Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev contesting the opposing semi-final.

The Italian has won all of his last five most recent meetings against the 24-time Grand Slam champion, including straight-set victories at last year’s French Open and Wimbledon.

It was Sinner who, in 2024, became the first player in history to beat the Serb after the quarter-final stage of the Australian Open.

That semi-final contest ended 6-1, 6-2, 7-6(6), 6-3 in the world No 2’s favour, snapping Djokovic’s 34-match winning streak in Melbourne.

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Novak Djokovic took issue with a question about him “chasing” Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner that he found “disrespectful” after reaching the Australian Open semi-finals.

The 38-year-old tennis legend was trailing world No 5 Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 3-6, 3-1 in the quarter-finals in Melbourne when the Italian was forced to retire due to a leg injury.

Djokovic will face Sinner, the two-time reigning Australian Open champion and world No 2, in the semi-finals. Sinner downed seventh-ranked Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the last eight.

In his post-match press conference, Djokovic interrupted a reporter who compared the Serbian’s current situation to when he was competing with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the start of his career.

Here is the full exchange.

Q. In the early part of your career when you were chasing Roger and Rafa for titles, and now at the back end of your career, you’re chasing Jannik and Carlos–

Djokovic: I’m chasing Jannik and Carlos? In which sense?

Q. In terms of winning Grand Slam titles, just right now.

Djokovic: So I’m always the chaser and I’m never being chased?

pic.twitter.com/y2NAzLRzpz

— Chad Dinas (@ChadDinas) January 28, 2026

Q. In the meantime, you won 24 Grand Slams–

Djokovic: Thanks. It’s worth saying that sometimes, right?

Q. Sorry, I should have put that in the middle…

Djokovic: No worries, no worries.

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Q. So, what I’m saying is, is it possible to compare the way you felt initially when you were chasing Roger and Rafa with now when Jannik and Carlos have split the last eight Slams?

Djokovic: Well, I find it a little bit disrespectful that you kind of miss out on what happened in between where, the times when I started chasing, as you say, Rafa and Roger, and now that I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik. And there’s probably about a 15-year period in between where I was dominating the Grand Slams. So I think it’s important to put that in prospect and perspective.

I don’t feel like I’m chasing, to be honest. Roger and Rafa will always be my greatest rivals. I have tremendous respect for what Jannik and Carlos are doing, and they continue to do, and they will do for the next 10 to 15, 20 years. God knows how many years they’re going to play, they’re so young.

This is a kind of natural cycle in sports. You’re going to have another two superstars that are going to maybe have another third guy that I’m going to cheer for, because I’ve always been the third guy at the beginning. But it’s good for our sport, I think these kind of rivalries, and the contrast of the personalities and the styles of play, are very good for tennis.

And how is that affecting me? As I said, I don’t feel like I’m chasing. I’m creating my own history, and I think I’ve been very clear when I say that my intention is always to, in terms of achievements and objectives and results, I want to get to the championship match in every tournament, particularly Slams. And Slams are one of the biggest reasons why I keep on competing and playing tennis. So yeah, that’s all I can say.

Are they (Alcaraz and Sinner) better right now than me and all the other guys? Yes, they are. I mean, the quality and the level is amazing. It’s great. It’s phenomenal. But does that mean that I walk out with the white flag? No. I’m going to fight until the last shot, until the last point, and do my very best to challenge them.

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Lorenzo Musetti has opened up after his “really painful” retirement against Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open and revealed he believes the injury he suffered was a “tear.”

The world No 5 was leading 6-4, 6-3, 1-3 against 10-time Australian Open champion Djokovic in the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park when he was forced to retire due to a right leg injury.

Musetti entered the match with a 1-9 record against Djokovic, and he was delivering a superb performance until his body cruelly broke down.

The Italian star was competing in his first Australian Open quarter-final, and a victory over the 24-time Grand Slam champion in Melbourne would have surely have been his finest win.

In his post-match press conference, Musetti revealed the issue arose early in the second set and got progressively worse.

“Well, I felt it at the beginning of the second set. I felt there was something strange in my right leg,” said the Italian.

“And I continued to play because I was playing really, really, really well, but I was feeling that the pain was increasing, and the problem was not getting away.

“I feel personally that I know my body and I feel personally that I’m kind of secure that this is a tear, unfortunately.”

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Asked if he had an idea as to why he has had to retire multiple times at Grand Slams, Musetti said he had no explanation.

“No. We have done all the exams and tests before starting the season to see and to try to prevent these kind of injuries, and nothing came out,” he said.

“So I honestly have no words to describe how I’m feeling right now and how tough is for me this injury in this moment.”

The 23-year-old added: “Honestly, I never imagined the feeling of leading two sets to zero against Novak and playing like that.

“Having the lead of the match like that and being forced to retire is something that I will never imagine. Of course, it’s really painful.

“I played almost all the second set like that, but I could play, because especially with the serve, it was helping me a lot. I was trying a little bit to push from the baseline, which I was feeling the ball pretty well today.

“So I was managing to try to hold there and to stay and try to, you know, not look at the pain. But then afterwards when I sit down for three minutes and stayed longer in the wait position, the pain immediately started to increase.

“I was – especially when I was going with the forehand on the open stance – I was feeling that I could not come back to the middle. As you saw, I could not really play. Unfortunately, there was no chance, and no way to tape it, to do something, to continue to play.”

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