Rafael Nadal Suffers a Rib Fracture & Ashleigh Barty Retires | 2 Unexpected News Flashes in One Day!
World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty has sent tremors through the tennis community by revealing her abrupt retirement, just two months after her Australian Open triumph.
Meanwhile, Spanish legend Rafael Nadal is likely to be side lined for the next 2 months due to a rib fracture. The Spaniard looked to be in discomfort during the Indian Wells Open final against Taylor Fritz and the explanation is now known to all of us.
How did Rafael Nadal suffer a rib fracture?
Rafael Nadal’s season has unexpectedly been turned upside down in a manner no one could have ever thought. The Spaniard set out to the Indian Wells final with a 20-match win streak, but saw his individual best start to a season come to an end at the hands of Taylor Fritz. During the final, the Spaniard was in agony due to issues with his torso and had trouble breathing.
Upon further investigation by a medical team, it has been discovered that he endured a stress crack in the third rib. He is going to need full rest to recover and will be out of action for around four to six weeks and almost certainly won’t compete at the Monte-Carlo Masters or the Barcelona Open. His participation at the French Open also hangs in the balance.
It is suspected that in his semi final match against Carlos Alcaraz he may have injured himself internally, without realizing. It is also possible that the stress from that game spilt over onto the finals and that is when the pain of the injury came out. The muscles around the chest and rib cage come into motion during powerful serves and top spin strokes. It is quite possible that is the root cause of his injury.
Why has Ashleigh Barty called it quits?
In an unanticipated move, World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty announced that she was stepping down from professional tennis. She hasn’t participated since winning the Australian Open in January 2022 and in an Instagram update, made known her decision to hang up her racquet for good at such an early stage in her career, she is just 25 years of age.
Barty is just the 2nd player in the pro WTA circuit to retire as World No. 1, following Justine Henin in 2008. The Australian’s career accomplishments include winning the Roland Garros in 2019, The Wimbledon Championships in 2021, The Australian Open in 2022 and the US Open doubles title in 2018.
Barty secured a further 12 singles titles, including the WTA Finals in 2019. She also held the World No. 1 ranking for 113 straight weeks and 120 in total. One of the most adored players on the tour, her absence will be felt all around.
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