Top Seed Collapses Mid-Way Through Brisbane International Match With Horror Cramp
Her right calf bulged visibly
Channel 7
Spanish top seed Garbine Muguruza was forced to withdraw from the Brisbane International after collapsing mid-match with a horror cramp in her right leg yesterday.
The world no. 2, who was leading Serbia's Aleksandra Krunic 7-5 6-7 (3-7) 2-1, later explained that she had felt her calves tightening early in the second set but was trying to push through.
However Muguruza's epic encounter was cut short as the 24-year-old collapsed to the ground in tears, the bulge in her right calf visible on courtside cameras.
Despite receiving medical treatment Muguruza bowed out, leaving Krunic - ranked 51 spots lower - to move through to the quarterfinals.
"I don't really cramp a lot, so I'm actually surprised that today my body was like that," the reigning Wimbledon champion said.
"It's a shame because I always come here excited about the first tournament and this one was bad luck, I guess."
With Brisbane her only scheduled event before the Australian Open later this month, Muguruza admitted that she wasn't sure what her next step was.
"Honestly, I have no idea yet," she said. "I didn't expect to, you know, to not continue here.
"But I think I'm going to evaluate what options do I have now... maybe just go right away to Melbourne."