Caroline Wozniacki has suffered a setback six days before the start of the French Open after withdrawing from the Strasbourg International due to a back injury.
The former world No.1 was playing America’s Shelby Rogers in the first round of the event. During a marathon 65-minute opening set, Wozniacki failed to convert a trio of set points as Rogers battled to a 7-6(8), 1-0 lead. Despite the close clash between the two players, the Danish world No.12 was forced to end the match after taking a medical timeout for treatment on her lower back following the first set.
“I came back and had my chances to win that first set, and then I started feeling my back,” Wozniacki said via wtatennis.com. “I felt it kind of in the middle of the first set. At this point, I think it’s important for me to try and get ready for the French Open and be 100 percent for that. I’m disappointed that not to be here anymore – it’s my first time here and I love this city, and I hope I can come back.”
.@Shelby_Rogers_ advances to @WTA_Strasbourg Round of 16!
Wozniacki retires. pic.twitter.com/KtAcuJzVEo
— WTA (@WTA) 22 May 2017
Recently Wozniacki also withdrew from the Rome Open due to a right shoulder problem. The 26-year-old said she started to experience the pain during the Madrid Open, where she lost in the second round to Carla Suarez Navarro. As a result of Wozniacki’s misfortunes, she has fallen outside the world’s top-10 and has only won four matches on the clay this season.
Prior to the clay court swing of the tour, Wozniacki has reached three finals this year in Doha as well as premier tournaments in Dubai and Miami. She has already produced wins over top-10 players Agnieszka Radwanska, Madison Keys, Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova.
Last year Wozniacki missed the French Open after injuring her ankle during a training session. Her best performance at Roland Garros occurred in 2010 when she reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champion Francesca Schiavone.
