Canadian tennis player Felix Auger-Aliassime was forced to withdraw from the Italian Open during his second-round match on Saturday due to a leg injury. The 25-year-old from Montreal was trailing Argentina's Mariano Navone 6-4, 3-2 when he decided to retire from the contest.
Match Details
Auger-Aliassime appeared to be struggling with movement from the early stages of the match, frequently clutching his left leg between points. After losing the first set, he received medical attention from the tournament physiotherapist but ultimately decided he could not continue. Navone, ranked 51st in the world, advanced to the third round as a result.
Impact on Rankings
The early exit in Rome is a setback for Auger-Aliassime, who was looking to gain momentum on clay ahead of the French Open later this month. He entered the tournament ranked 21st in the ATP rankings. The Canadian has been dealing with recurring lower-body issues throughout the season, having missed several events earlier in the year due to a similar problem.
Injury History
Auger-Aliassime has a history of leg injuries that have hampered his progress on the ATP Tour. In 2024, he missed the Australian Open due to a knee injury and has had multiple retirements in past tournaments. His team has not yet provided a detailed update on the severity of the current injury.
The Italian Open, a key clay-court event leading up to the French Open, continues in Rome. Auger-Aliassime's next scheduled tournament is expected to be the French Open, which begins on May 25.
