Victoria Mboko's grass-court campaign at Queen's came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday as the Canadian teenager was forced to retire after a nasty fall in her singles match against Karolina Pliskova. The 19-year-old, who had fought back to lead the second set 4-3 after losing the first, slipped while changing direction and twisted her knee, collapsing in agony.
Medics rushed to the court as the chair umpire checked on Mboko, who was seen in tears. She took a medical time-out but was unable to continue, leaving the court with assistance. Former British number one Annabel Croft described the incident as a 'heartbreaker' and a classic grass-court injury where the legs go in different directions.
Mboko's retirement casts severe doubt on her participation in the doubles, where she is scheduled to partner Serena Williams on Thursday. The pair had won their first-round match against third seeds Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez. They remain on the order of play against Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund, but it is unclear if the match will go ahead.
Pliskova, who has suffered serious injuries herself, expressed sympathy: 'First of all, such a shame. I think we played quite a good game today... It would have been a nice match but I wish her only the best.' All play at Queen's was suspended shortly after Mboko's departure due to heavy rain.
