Canadian Open star retires suddenly and declares ‘my body is done’ | Tennis | Sport

Canadian Open home star Denis Shapovalov was forced to retire in the middle of his opening-round match and told his opponent: “Just my body is done.” The world No. 43 came into Montreal full of form after finishing runner-up in Los Cabos last week, but trouble struck during the second set of his match against Zachary Svajda on Tuesday.

Shapovalov, a former semi-finalist here, was just two games from victory in set two. But American star Svajda won it 6-4, forcing a decider, and the 27-year-old had to leave the court for a medical timeout for what appeared to be an issue around his groin or hip.

The former world No. 10 returned and started the third and final set, but commentators weren’t convinced that he would be able to complete the match.

“Serve speed looked down there, he’s in trouble, isn’t he?” Colin Fleming told viewers as Shapovalov served at 0-1 down. “Shapovalov, it doesn’t look like there’s any future for him [in this match] if this is his physicality.”

Lee Goodall replied: “Right now, not sure if he’s finishing this match, is he?” The world No. 43 was quickly broken, and Shapovalov told his team: “I can’t move.”

His own coach questioned whether he should play on. “Is it worth it? That’s what I’m saying,” he told the injured star. “I’ll play this game and I’ll see,” Shapovalov replied.

“Well, there we go. Maybe just one more game. We’ll see whether he shakes hands after this Svajda service game,” Goodall said. And soon enough, Shapovalov was forced to retire.

Svajda, who was making his tournament debut, held serve one final time and moved into a 4-6 6-4 3-0 lead when the Canadian approached the net, taking his cap off and signalling that he was done.

“And is this the end for Denis Shapovalov? We’ll see as he heads towards the net. I think he is done. Yeah, that’s a tough ending,” Goodall added.

Svajda asked his rival what was wrong, and Shapovalov replied: “Just my body is done,” also wishing the world No. 87 luck for the tournament.

It’s heartbreaking for the home favourite, who enjoyed his breakthrough here nine years ago as a teenage wildcard ranked outside the world’s top 140. He stormed into the semi-finals, beating the likes of Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro en route. But Shapovalov has not won a match at this tournament – in either Montreal or Toronto – since 2019.