Coco Gauff injury: How long is she expected to be out? Will she play at the US Open?
The world No. 12 fell awkwardly during her first round game as her Cincinnati Masters journey was brought to an abrupt end by injury.
There was heartbreak in the opening round of the Western & Southern Open (Ohio) on Tuesday for rising star Coco Gauff as she was forced to retire due to injury while trailing 5-7 0-1 against Marie Bouzkova.
Bouzkova advances 7-5, 1-0 after Gauff retires due to injury.
— Western & Southern Open (@CincyTennis) August 16, 2022
Feel better soon, @CocoGauff ❤️ pic.twitter.com/m33n21JVg2
Gauff fell awkwardly during a point when leading 5-3 in the first set when she tumbled to the court whilst hitting a backhand and injured her ankle at the Cincinnati-area tournament. She lost the next three games before being looked at and despite the best efforts from her physio team, ultimately a decision was taken to not continue as a precautionary measure.
Coco Gauff rolled her ankle at 5-3 in the first set and is forced to retire in the first game of the second set.
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 16, 2022
Marie Bouzkova advances and will face Alison Riske-Amritraj. #CincyTennis
Earlier this month, at the age of just 18, Gauff had become only the second-youngest player in WTA history to reach No. 1 of the doubles rankings (after Martina Hingis) following her win at the Canadian Open alongside compatriot Jessica Pegula.
The pair defeated Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Ellen Perez 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 10-5 in the mid August final, which was ultimately decided by a match tie-break.
US Open in doubt
When the swelling subsides, it’s expected that Gauff’s ankle will undergo a series of scans to determine the nature of the injury and only then will her medical team be in a position to make a prognosis of her time away from the court and if participating in Flushing Meadows in a fortnight is a viable option.