Injuries Are Popping Up Early in The Season

Written by: Staff on 8th February 2012

Injuries Are Popping Up Early in The Season

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia returns in her women's fourth round match against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 22 January 2012. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG |

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Big names are buckling to the physical ravages of the WTA as Jelena Jankovic made a late withdrawal from the Open GDF Suez at Paris’s Stade de Coubertin and Li Na was unable to complete her initial match.

Former world no.1 Jankovic injured a thigh playing for Serbia against Belgium in the Fed Cup last weekend and was forced to withdraw from the Parisian event.

“I had hoped that after treatment I could still play here but unfortunately it’s impossible,” said Jankovic. “Australia (Open) and the Fed Cup and then here, that’s a lot. But it’s important for me to play for my country.”

Jankovic admitted she was fortunate to even complete her singles rubber against Kirsten Flipkens in the Fed Cup, let alone register a 7-5,7-5 victory. “During one point in the second set, I felt a really sharp pain, but I managed to finish the match,” said the Serb who turns 27 years of age later this month.”

Third seeded Li Na’s aching back made it impossible for her to continue against Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova. The Chinese star was forced to take a medical timeout for back treatment while trailing 7-6, 3-2 and then only managed to contest a few more points.

“It was so painful,” Li said. “That’s why I called the physio to come to the court. I tried to tape and then tried to play the point, but it didn’t work. I’ll go to the hospital to take an MRI to see what happened.”

A viral illness also ruled out potential fifth seed Sabine Lisicki while Brisbane International winner Kaia Kanepi is recovering from a right shoulder injury.

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