An unexpected goodbye at the Caja Mágica
Friends, tennis reminds us that it is not always the one who loves the most who wins, but the one who is better off. Iga Swiatek, the defending champion of the Madrid Open, had to hang up her racket this Saturday due to an unspecified illness.
The Pole, world number 4, was playing in the round of 32 against the American Ann Li. The scoreboard reflected a battle: 7-6 (4), 2-6 and 3-0 in favor of Li when Swiatek called for a medical break. He returned to the court, but could not continue.
“It’s hard to see a champion like that, but health comes first,” commented sources close to the tournament.
Li, currently ranked 34th, achieved his second victory against a top 10 in his career. Now they will face Leylah Fernandez in the round of 16. A golden opportunity to continue believing.
Swiatek had come in strong: she beat Daria Snigur in straight sets in the second round. But the body speaks louder than any strategy.
In sport as in life: sometimes you have to know when to stop to come back stronger. Strength, Iga.
