Top-ranked Belgian Alexander Blockx pulled out of the French Open on Tuesday after hearing his ankle snap and reportedly lashed out at the tournament.
The 21-year-old confirmed the news on Instagram before his scheduled second-round match against eighth seed Alex de Minaur. Blockx is the world No. 37, according to the Association of Tennis Professionals’ (ATP) rankings. The French Open formally announced his withdrawal Tuesday, the ATP said.
“Unfortunately during today’s practice I heard a snap in my ankle while I sprained it, which is why I had to withdraw from tomorrow’s match that I was really looking forward to. A lot of frustration but we move on,” Blockx wrote.
His original caption went further, according to The Athletic. Blockx reportedly wrote that he heard a snap in his ankle while twisting it “thanks to the ‘really necessary’ covers at the back of the court” while tagging Roland Garros, the court used for the French Open, but reposted without the dig shortly after posting, the outlet reported. (RELATED: ‘I Want To Say A Ginormous F*ck You’: Tennis Player Completely Crashes Out In Shocking Retirement)
Tennis Belgium said Blockx twisted his ankle by slipping beneath the mat at the close of his Tuesday afternoon practice with Joao Fonseca, Belgian outlet RTBF reported.
The world No. 37 was spotted moving through the Roland Garros grounds with his right ankle packed in ice and one leg out of commission before officials announced the withdrawal, according to The Independent. De Minaur advanced to the third round on a walkover.
De Minaur replied to Blockx under the Instagram post. “So sorry to hear mate. Wishing a very speedy recovery,” the Australian wrote.
A similar incident has hit Roland Garros before. David Goffin, then the 10th seed, retired from a third-round match against Horacio Zeballos at the 2017 French Open after the stowed covers behind the court caught his foot, The Independent reported.
Three other men retired mid-match on Tuesday, according to The Express UK. France’s Alexandre Muller quit with a calf injury while behind Stefanos Tsitsipas, British No. 1 Cameron Norrie pulled out with a rib problem against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo and Sebastian Baez retired in the fourth set against Roman Andres Burruchaga.