Tennis: Poland’s Świątek retires from Italian Open with injury

Poland’s world No. 1 Iga Świątek has retired from the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome with a thigh injury. 

Poland's Iga Świątek in action at the 2023 Italian Open.

Photo: EPA/ETTORE FERRARI

The two-time defending champion retired in the third set of her quarterfinal against Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina due to a right thigh injury, news outlets reported.

Kontuzja zatrzymała liderkę. Iga Świątek nie obroni tytułu 🔽#IBI23 https://t.co/G2avaBfcSv

— Sport PR (@sportradiopl) May 17, 2023

The two were tied 2-2 in the third set when the 21-year-old Pole called it quits after more than two hours of play, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Świątek had won the first set 6-2 and lost the second 6-7.

Elena Rybakina advances to the semifinals in Rome after Swiatek retires due to injury.

Final score: 2-6, 7-6(3), 2-2#IBI23 pic.twitter.com/MzaPSwvw96

— wta (@WTA) May 17, 2023

The defeat against Rybakina ended Świątek's 14-match winning streak in Rome, according to the wtatennis.com website.

Hi Guys. I'm sure you're thinking about what happened last night. We're checking it. During the second set I got a thigh injury. The diagnostic is in progress. More info in the following days. Will keep you updated.

— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) May 18, 2023

Świątek won last year's Italian Open. She also triumphed in Rome in 2021.

🎾𝙄𝙜𝙖 𝙎́𝙬𝙞𝙖̨𝙩𝙚𝙠 kontuzjowana. Tym razem liderka rankingu #WTA nie będzie miała dobrych wspomnień z kortów Foro Italico w #Roma 🌧️🌃😢

⬇️https://t.co/V01Gc4WHul

— Sport PR (@sportradiopl) May 18, 2023

The 2023 Italian Open runs until Sunday.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, wtatennis.com