Australian Open 2026: Multiple Stars Retire Due to Injuries

Britain's Francesca Jones sobbed loudly on court as injury wrecked her hopes of a first main-draw win at the Australian Open. Early retirements became a theme on day two in Melbourne, with men's eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and qualifier Marina Stakusic - who was taken off court in a wheelchair - both forced to retire after cramping. British number three Jones struggled to move from the early stages of her first-round match against Polish qualifier Linda Klimovicova on Monday. The distraught 25-year-old valiantly tried to continue but ultimately quit when trailing 6-2 3-2. A groin injury had forced Jones out of a match at last week's Auckland International, but it was a glute problem that led to her retirement against Klimovicova. She took a medical timeout at the end of the first set and received further attention from the physio after the third and fifth games of the second set. The world number 71 was broken to love in the fifth game and was left in tears while receiving treatment. After getting back to her feet, Jones signalled to Klimovicova that she could not continue. There was a sombre atmosphere on the court, with the crowd applauding sympathetically as Jones limped off with a towel covering her head. Jones, who has a rare genetic condition which means she plays with a modified grip, has defied the odds to compete among the elite. After a difficult 2024 where she found herself outside the world's top 150, Jones planned to retire in 2025 if her ranking did not improve. Instead, she enjoyed a life-changing season that pumped new energy into her tennis career. Jones had received direct entry into the Australian Open main draw for the first time, but this marked a sad exit to what had been a proud moment.