MELBOURNE—Briton Johanna Konta said she was in shock after an abdominal injury abruptly ended her Australian Open challenge in the first-round on Tuesday even though she was leading Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan 6-4 0-2.
Konta, seeded 13th at Melbourne Park, left the court for a medical timeout to get treatment on her abdomen when serving at 5-4 in the opening set.
“I pulled my ab and that made it difficult for me to serve and that is why I had to retire,” Konta, 29, told reporters.
“I feel like I am in a bit of shock so I don’t fully know yet anything. I haven’t yet been able to check in with the physios.”
Ah, Jo 😩
Having looked so good in winning the first set 6-4 against Kaja Juvan, @JohannaKonta is forced to retire through injury 💔#AusOpen #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/exVXKRMWOC
— Team GB (@TeamGB) February 9, 2021
Konta, ranked …
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