'So sad': Tennis world rocked by 'heartbreaking' moment
The tennis world has reacted with sadness after Milos Raonic was forced to retire in front of his home fans at the Canadian Open in Montreal.
The injury-prone Canadian pulled the plug to hand 18-year-old compatriot Felix Auger-Aliassime a 6-3, 3-6 win on Wednesday, later citing a back injury.
Raonic, a 2013 finalist in Montreal, was unable to go on after winning the second set to square the contest.
He’d received treatment from the trainer throughout the match, saying he felt pain from his back down his legs.
Not a doctor but 🇨🇦 Milos Raonic saying he felt pain down his leg after having back problems this summer and as recently as last week in Washington is not a good sign #ATP #RC19 pic.twitter.com/ITDKyiCSY5
— John Horn (@SportsHorn) August 8, 2019
"(The) last 30 minutes of that match, just because of the situation we're playing in, being primetime night match here in Montreal, was probably the least enjoyable 30 minutes I've spent on a tennis court,” Raonic admitted after the match.
Raonic’s devastating run of injuries
Auger-Aliassime also got a walkover win against Raonic last June on grass in Stuttgart when his compatriot suffered a back injury.
The tennis world was left saddened by the sight of Raonic walking off the court to standing applause from his countrymen, appearing to have tears in his eyes.
“Such a shame for Milos Raonic,” one TV commentator said. “It will be so sore for him to have to retire here in Montreal.”
Tennis journo John Horn said it was the most dejected he’d ever seen Raonic.
Have seen a dejected looking Raonic after injuries before but this time after having to pull out of his home tournament mid match with a back injury that appears to be serious, have never seen him look this dejected #ATP #RC19
— John Horn (@SportsHorn) August 8, 2019
Bah. Sad to see. Milos Raonic retires with a back injury. He was doing such a good job masking the pain but clearly was in too much discomfort. Felix moves on.
— Alex Seixeiro (@alexfan590) August 8, 2019
You hate to see it, Canadian tennis fans. Raonic leaves before third set with an injury in what was shaping up to be an awesome game against countryman Auger-Aliassime at the @rogerscup 🇨🇦🎾 pic.twitter.com/3OXD3yLZfC
— Graham Cox (@vanislandgee) August 8, 2019
Oh man. Milos Raonic retires with an injury. Ouch. Felix Auger-Alliassime moves on to RD 3.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) August 8, 2019
Wow, Milos Raonic retires from match vs Felix Auger-Aliassime after winning 2nd set b.c of a back injury. FAA moves on.
— Salim Nadim Valji (@salimvalji) August 8, 2019
Sad 😔😔
— TIMAO NA VEIA (@DjokoSilva) August 8, 2019
Sad sight
— Jesse Wilkinson (@JWCyber) August 8, 2019
Kinda heartbreaking. He looked a bit teary-eyed. Adding to injury is that most of his own home crowd is rooting for another Canadian.
— shyshynyc (@shyshynyc) August 8, 2019
One too many canadians going home...get better..poor guy,injuries are really troublesome...maybe he should take some time off...its recurring now
— Nelson Nobrega (@nelsnob) August 8, 2019
Shame how injuries keep on continuing to hamper Raonic
— Tev (@Tevon96) August 8, 2019
The 28-year-old’s promising career has been derailed by multiple injuries over the last few years, and Wednesday’s latest blow was a bitter pill to swallow for fans and journos.
He came perilously close to winning the Australian Open in 2016 before he his body failed him while up two sets to one against Andy Murray in the semi-finals.
Milos Raonic’s body has taken his career hostage.
— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) August 8, 2019
You gotta feel for Raonic but this is who he is now. Not much else the guy can do. If healthy he can give most players a run on grass & hard courts but his days as a top flight player are fairly close to being done. https://t.co/WYPX7SxJAG
— Rob Soria (@Oil_Drop) August 8, 2019
Nadal, Thiem survive stern tests
Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem advanced into the third round, with Thiem achieving a personal best in Canada.
Top-seeded holder Nadal suffered through a two-hour rain interruption before dismissing Britain's Daniel Evans 7-6 (8/6), 6-4.
Austrian second seed Thiem, who claimed a clay title at the weekend at home in Kitzbuehel before crossing the Atlantic, won his first match in Canada after five losses, defeating home hero Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
With weather forecasts dicey for the next few days, the Spanish top seed got a taste of the conditions he might face as the 18-time Grand Slam champion defends his Canadian title.
"Today, the main thing was win. I've been playing and practising more or less well. Now is the moment to compete," Nadal said.
"Today I competed enough well to be through. Tomorrow is another challenge."
That test will be against Argentina's Guido Pella, who beat Radu Albot 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7/2).
Nadal is seeking his third title of the season and now stands 38-6 in 2019. He was playing for the first time since losing a Wimbledon semi-final to Roger Federer a month ago.
Thiem was relieved to have broken his duck in Canada by finally winning a match.
"It's a great feeling. It's not only the first match win here, but also against a great player," he said.
"The court is pretty fast. It was a huge transition from clay to here.
"I'm very happy with the way I served. I'm also happy that I could swing free some flat serves again."
Thiem on Thursday faces 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, who defeated Australian John Millman 6-3, 6-4.
with agencies
