Australian Open: Konta retires injured, Murray pulls out
Published Jan 4, 2018 10:00 am

Johanna Konta of Germany (SAEED KHAN / AFP)
British number one Johanna Konta became the latest casualty ahead of the Australian Open when she retired during her Brisbane International quarter-final against Elina Svitolina on Thursday.
Konta called for treatment to her right hip at the beginning of the third set but decided she could not continue and handed Svitolina the match 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 3-2.
The retirement disappointed the crowd at Pat Rafter Arena, who had witnessed a fascinating match where Konta stormed through the first set before Svitolina regrouped and edged a high-quality second in a tiebreaker.
Konta joins top seed Garbine Muguruza (cramping) and fourth-ranked Caroline Garcia (lower back) as high-profile casualties at the season-opening tournament.
She is due to defend her Sydney International title next week ahead of the Australian Open but said she was unsure whether or not she would risk further damage before the year's first Grand Slam.
Konta said she felt something give in her first service game of the third set.
"I'm not too sure actually what happened. I have never had issues kind of in this area," she said. "More on the left side and not for a few years. And it was different."
Konta's withdrawal follows that of fellow Briton Andy Murray, who pulled out of the men's draw before his opening match, also with a hip injury, and who confirmed Thursday that he would not be fit to play at the Australian Open.

Andy Murray (Patrick HAMILTON / AFP)
The 30-year-old suffered the injury last year and has not played on the ATP tour since losing in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
"Sadly I won't be playing in Melbourne this year, as I am not yet ready to compete," Murray said in a statement.
"I'll be flying home shortly to assess all the options but I appreciate all the messages of support and I hope to be back playing soon."
Australian Open's tournament director Craig Tiley said he respected what was a "very hard decision for Andy".
World number one Rafael Nadal withdrew from Brisbane with knee problems at the weekend and is a doubt for Melbourne. (
Agence France-Presse)