WATCH: Distraught Bianca Andreescu leaves court in wheelchair after suffering horrific injury

WTA Tour
Bianca Andreescu suffers injury

“I’ve never felt this kind of pain before,” an inconsolable Bianca Andreescu screamed after she suffered a horrific ankle injury during her fourth-round match at the Miami Open on Monday.

The 22-year-old had produced some of her best tennis over the past few years in Florida, but her run came to an end in excruciating circumstances in the second set of her clash against Ekaterina Alexandrova.

With the score 7-6 (7-0), 0-2 in 18th seed Alexandrova’s favour, Andreescu slipped and fell to the ground, holding her left ankle and screaming in anguish.

“I’ve never felt this kind of pain before,” the Canadian screamed as her opponent rushed over to console her.

Andreescu received some treatment and was eventually helped to her feet before being given a long hug and encouraging words from Alexandrova. She then left the court in a wheelchair.

“I’m just really sorry that it happened to [Andreescu],” Alexandrova said after the match. “Seeing her on the court in so much pain, it’s just painful to watch. You cannot help, you just can do nothing, which is terrible. And I think she’s going to be fine soon, and I’m wishing for her speedy recovery.

“The first set was super tough and great, and it probably could be a pretty good match for both of us, but unfortunately [Andreescu’s injury] happened.”

It is another tough setback for Andreescu who has played some great tennis in recent weeks.

Following her stunning US Open win 2019, the Canadian has struggled with injuries as she missed the back end of the 2019 campaign and the beginning of 2020 due to a knee injury. Although she recovered from the knee injury, the Covid-19 pandemic and illness resulted in her spending 15 months on the sidelines.

She eventually returned to competitive in 2021 and it has been a slow and steady comeback, but she has in recent weeks shown glimpses of the tennis that won her the US Open in 2019, beating Emma Raducanu, seventh seed Maria Sakkari and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin en route to the fourth round.

After her win over Kenin, Andreescu admitted that she is finally finding joy in her tennis again, saying: “Last time I played here in 2021, I did not enjoy myself.

“I did not feel that I deserved to be in that final. But this year, I feel like a totally different person, and I definitely feel I deserve to be here right now.”

The 22-year-old’s latest injury is reminiscent of the ankle injury that Alexander Zverev suffered at the 2022 French Open as he also slipped and rolled his ankle, forcing him to spend several months on the sidelines.

Bianca Andreescu Ekaterina Alexandrova

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