Elina Svitolina's 2024 Australian Open campaign is over after having to retire with an injury against Linda Noskova.
The Ukrainian only returned from maternity leave last year. Yet, she has been playing some of the best tennis of her life, adding more aggression and power to the grit and consistency that she has possessed throughout her career.
Svitolina's start to the 2024 season had been particularly impressive. The 29-year-old began by finishing as the runner-up at the ASB Classic in Auckland and only narrowly lost to Coco Gauff.
Last year's Wimbledon semifinalist had also been in excellent form in her opening three rounds at the opening Grand Slam of the year. She did not drop a set and hoped to capitalize on Iga Swiatek's loss after her third-round win.
The world No. 1's loss was inflicted by Svitolina's first-round opponent. Noskova stunned Swiatek in three sets by producing a powerful display that left the Pole feeling rushed and uncomfortable throughout.
It was set to be a fascinating encounter between two players in great form and with different styles, but unfortunately, that spectacle was quickly ended in a cruel manner.
The first game was a 10-minute battle, but then, after Noskova hit a winner to break serve, Svitolina stretched down to touch her right ankle, with the ankle seeming to be the issue at first for the Ukrainian.
Svitolina was visibly struggling and called for the trainer to be assessed at 2-0 and took a medical timeout. However, it turned out not to be an ankle injury. The 29-year-old was actually struggling with a back problem and had been stretching previously to see how it felt.
The two-time Australian Open quarterfinalist tried for one game after the medical timeout, but it quickly became clear that Svitolina was not going to be able to compete. She retired with the score at 3-0 to Noskova.
The Czech teenager sportingly gave Svitolina a hug at the net, and the Ukrainian left the court in tears. It was very tough to watch such a great ambassador for tennis being so emotional. Hopefully, the injury is not too serious.
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