Hailey Baptiste's bid to win the French Open came to a horrific end on Wednesday after the tennis star suffered an agonising knee injury on court. The 24-year-old American was taking on Xiyu Wang in her second-round match at Roland Garros, having defeated Barbora Krejcikova in the opening round of the grand slam.
Wang was leading 5-4 in the opening set and serving when Baptiste suddenly dropped to the ground in pain after a long game where both players contested several deuces. The No.26 seed was in visible pain and could be heard screaming and crying on the court while she received treatment.
Baptiste's father left his seat on Court 6 to help his daughter, but the tennis star repeatedly told him to 'stop' when he tried to touch her. The 24-year-old could then be heard shouting 'why?' as chair umpire Marija Cicak made their way over to the American, who received treatment from the medics.
Baptiste was eventually helped to her feet by the umpire and the physio, but was unable to put any weight on her injured leg. She was helped off the court in a wheelchair provided by paramedics, and could be seen crying and putting her face in a towel. Baptiste was met with applause from the crowd as she left the court. The match went on to be abandoned, with Wang going through to the third round.
As things stand on Thursday morning, no official diagnosis has been confirmed regarding the extent of Baptiste's knee blow, although there are fears of an ACL injury. The nature of her fall and immediate reaction sparked huge concern among fans.
Former US Open champion and French Open finalist Sloane Stephens expressed her sympathies to Baptiste after the tennis star suffered the injury. 'That is absolutely devastating and heartbreaking,' Stephens told TNT Sports US. 'I took my earpiece out because I don't want to hear [it], it's so painful. It hurts so bad for Hailey because it's the best tennis she's ever played in her career. Highest ranking she's ever been to, she just signed a Nike contract, everything is looking up, things are amazing. It's just unfortunate, because here [Roland Garros] in 2021 she tore her ACL. So I hope that it's not her ACL today, hopefully it's a hyper-extension or something not as intense. But seeing that video, hearing her scream, you don't wish that in your worst nightmare. Injuries are so tough and so hard, especially when you're at the top of your game and playing the best tennis of your career, you just hate to see that.'
