Rafael Nadal didn’t say goodbye to Madrid in triumph, but he did leave the way we’ll remember him best: With a fight

Defending champion Ons Jabeur has pulled out of the Madrid Open because of an injured left calf, hampering her preparation for the French Open next month

ByAssociated Press

Published Apr 24, 2023

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FLASHBACK: Ons Jabeur defeats Beatriz Haddad Maia in the 2023 Stuttgart Quarterfinal

Defending champion Ons Jabeur pulled out of the Madrid Open on Monday because of an injured left calf, hampering her preparation for the French Open next month.

The No. 4-ranked Jabeur, a 28-year-old from Tunisia, stopped playing against No. 1 Iga Swiatek on Saturday while trailing 3-0 in the first set of their semifinal at the clay-court tournament in Stuttgart, Germany.

Jabeur posted what she called "an update on my situation" on her Twitter account Monday, saying that she had "many medical exams" that revealed a "small tear" in her calf.

"I will need more time to recover," she said, adding: "I am sad to announce that I won't be able to compete" in Madrid.

Main draw action at the Madrid Open starts on Tuesday. Jabeur is the latest high-profile player to withdraw, joining 22-time Grand Slam champions Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

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Ons Jabeur hits a backand in the first game of her semi final match against Iga Swiatek during day eight of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Stuttgart 2023

Jabeur was the runner-up at two Grand Slam tournaments in 2022: Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

She came into the French Open last year as one of the title favorites after success on red clay — including the title in Madrid — but lost in the first round at Roland Garros.

Play begins in Paris on May 28.