Injury forces Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina to withdraw in tears during Australian Open

Ukraine's top tennis player, Elina Svitolina, was unable to complete her Australian Open match against Czech player Linda Nosková due to an injury, TheTennisLetter reported on Jan. 22.

The Ukrainian player withdrew during the first set, leaving the court in tears. After the match, Svitolina said that back pain had made it difficult for her to walk or turn, according to TheTennisLetter.

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"I had a spasm,” Svitolina said.

“I don't know exactly what it was. Like a shooting pain.”

When asked whether she had ever experienced anything similar, Svitolina confirmed having had pain before, but never like this.

“I’ve had some back pain in the past…but this was really out of nowhere,” she said.

“It felt like someone shot me in the back.”

Svitolina reports that she currently has a “locked” lower back and experiences pain while walking or turning.

Read also: Tennis player Svitolina on the 2024 Olympics and Russian athletes admission

Linda Nosková will play against Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska, who bested two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, in the quarterfinals.

Marta Kostyuk also reached the quarterfinals of the tournament, leaving no chance for Russian Maria Timofeeva (6:2, 6:1).

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