American tennis star Hailey Baptiste has opened up on her French Open ‘nightmare’ after suffering a horror knee injury in the second round of the tournament.
During the first set of her match against China’s Wang Xiyu on Thursday, Baptiste collapsed after landing awkwardly while returning a serve from her opponent, before she was heard moaning in agony while down on the floor.
It was later revealed that the 24-year-old, who was wheeled off the court after medical staff had tended to her, damaged both the ACL and meniscus in her left knee.
The injuries were serious enough that Baptiste will require surgery, meaning she is expected to spend at least six months out.
And following her devastating setback, she took to Instagram on Friday to admit the past two days had brought ‘bad news’ and ‘uncontrollable tears.’
‘The most heartbreaking end to the best season of my life,’ Baptiste wrote alongside two black-and-white photos of her sitting on the court and getting wheeled off.
American tennis star Hailey Baptiste has opened up on her ‘nightmare’ French Open injury
Baptiste damaged the ACL and meniscus in her left knee after an awkward fall on Thursday
‘Still waiting to wake up from this nightmare. In my head, all I can think is why, why, and why. Why me? Why now? And why like this?
‘It’s hard to see any purpose in something like this right now, but in my heart, I truly believe everything happens for a reason.’
Baptiste, the world No. 26, came into the French Open on the back of one of the most exciting wins of her career last month.
The Washington, DC native upset World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Madrid Open in late April, before reaching the semifinals of the women’s singles draw, where she ultimately lost to Mirra Andreeva.
She continued in her Instagram post after tearing her ACL and meniscus: ‘It’s been a long and heavy couple of days filled with bad news, uncontrollable tears, and a million thoughts running through my head. This new, but somewhat familiar, challenge faces me with what will probably be one of the hardest chapters of my life, and I’m beyond ready to show how strong I really am.
‘The reality is, things could be a lot worse, and I have the most amazing and loving people around me whenever I need them. Through the fire, I’m still extremely blessed, and that’s what will get me through the tough days.’
Baptiste concluded the post by thanking those who have offered words of support, including her dad and two coaches; Franklin Tiafoe and Will Woodall. ‘You guys have picked me up, held me together, and damn near wiped my ass these last couple of days,’ she said. ‘Words won’t do it justice, but I love you guys deeply.
‘I will be back, and I will be better.’
Fellow American star Sloane Stephens offered her condolences to Baptiste after the diagnosis was revealed on Thursday.
‘That is absolutely devastating and heartbreaking,’ Stephens told TNT. ‘I took my earpiece out because I don’t want to hear this. It’s so painful and it hurts so bad for Hailey because this is 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 and it’s just amazing.
‘Seeing that video and 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.’
