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'Gutted': Ash Barty's shocking move in Roland Garros scare

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Ash Barty (pictured) looking concerned after losing a point.
Ash Barty (pictured) was forced to withdraw from the Italian Open with an injury against Coco Gauff. (Getty Images)

World No.1 Ash Barty has shocked tennis fans after she retired hurt against American teenage superstar Coco Gauff just two weeks out from Roland Garros.

Barty looked like she would be surging into the semi-final of the Italian Open after taking the first set 6-4 and leading 2-1 in the second.

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But things took a turn when the Australian emerged after the break with a compression band around her arm.

After a stop-start match in the rain, Barty took a seat during the switch of ends before speaking to a trainer.

But in a shock move, she then approached a stunned Gauff and told her she was retiring hurt.

The young American appeared taken aback at the news, considering she was down, but embraced Barty in a classy moment.

The commentators were also surprised when Barty suddenly decided the pain in her right arm was too much.

"Wow, this is really surprising," the commentator said.

"So the trainer was called on, Barty was shaking her head in frustration, she is going to have to pull out."

The move had tennis fans concerned for the in-form World No.1 only two weeks out from the French Open.

Ash Barty addresses injury concern

However, following the match Barty, insisting that pulling out was a precaution, said she was confident that she'd be "good to go" in a fortnight when she sets out to win at Roland Garros as she did in 2019.

"It's disappointing no doubt but it was important that I listened to my body and gave it time to rest and recover and make sure that in a couple of weeks time I'm 100% fit for Roland Garros," said Barty.

"It became worse while we were playing. The challenging thing is to make the decision to stop. It's the thing that I hate the most, not being able to finish a tennis match. It's not in my makeup, not what I like to do.

"But the pain was becoming too severe, so it was important to try and do the right thing."

Barty has been in excellent form ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year.

Ash Barty wearing a mask and speaking to the trainer at the Italian Open.
Ashleigh Barty (pictured) chats to the trainer before retiring hurt while playing Coco Gauff during their match on Day Seven of the Internazionali BNL D'Italia at Foro Italico on May 14, 2021. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

But the injury could have been signs of wear and tear on clay after her recent hectic programme which has seen her play 17 matches in 24 days in three countries.

Gauff's victory marks a miklestone for the American teenage sensation.

However, she was humble after advancing in Rome.

"It's not a good feeling to win this way," said Gauff, who'd been shocked when Barty told her she was pulling out.

"I send the best well wishes, and hopefully she can get well before the French Open."

with AAP

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