‘I don’t want to be just a punching bag’ – dramatic day at Australian Open marred by retirements

Félix Auger-Aliassime surrendered meekly with cramp while Britain’s Fran Jones was among a list of injured players forced to bow out at Melbourne Park

“I’ve honestly got no bloody clue what happened after that point in the match,” said Francesca Jones as she fought back tears. Jones had been battling hard on court 15 at Melbourne Park, chasing her first grand slam main-draw win at the sixth attempt, when she slipped and fell. She instantly felt a tear in her glute muscle. Jones soon had no choice but to retire from her Australian Open first-round match while trailing 2-6, 2-3 to Linda Klimovicova, a 21-year-old Polish qualifier.

“Obviously I’m at a career high,” Jones said. “I’m probably in the main draws of the Masters, and then you are thinking: ‘Should I continue, do I fight because it’s a slam?’ There’s money, there’s points on the line. Equally with my history, it’s probably not the smartest thing to keep pushing. I’m just having that internal debate.” Continue reading...