British number one Johanna Konta says she is in “shock” after an abdominal injury forced her to retire from her Australian Open first-round match, according to the BBC sport news.
Based on ranking, Konta was Britain’s best chance of success in the singles at the opening Grand Slam of the 2021 season and there was shock when she could not carry on against Juvan.
A sympathetic round of applause from the crowd greeted the announcement from the umpire, before an emotional-looking Konta hid her face under a towel.
The 29-year-old had gone off court in the first set for medical treatment, re-appearing shortly afterwards to serve out the opener.
But she needed more attention from the doctor before the start of the second, having her abdominal area taped in a bid to manage the pain and more treatment on her hip.
“I felt the ab injury in my second service game of the first set and I was conscious of trying to adapt and using my legs more on my serve,” Konta said.
“I was starting to be aware of it and in the second-to-last service game of first set it got quite painful.
“I don’t have answers to why this happened. I haven’t had an ab issue in a very long time.
“I feel like I’m in a bit of shock.”
Image source: BBC sport news
